RE: Dingbat

[A-1 (imported)]

Prayers and best wishes.

I have seen too many of these things like happened to dignbat...

[Bagoas (imported)]

Let me add my very best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

[JesusA (imported)]

Unfortunately, things do not look very good for Dingbat. Below is the latest message from her cousin. I will continue to forward any messages that are posted here so that Sergei and Josh can read them to her.

+++++

Hello Jesus,

Thanks for explaining who you are. "Dingbat" seems to know people from all sorts of walks of life and I've been finding it hard to work out who is who. She told me you spoke on the phone - I'm sure you're the same person. She'd also told me about the eunuch forum and how she was enjoying it. The messages from people are wonderful and I'll read them out to her. Thanks for posting a message to explain what's happened.

Things don't look good at the moment. Half her head was smashed in by the accident and even if she survives they're not sure how she'd be. She could have terrible brain damage they are not sure at the moment. In one way we're not sure what we're hoping for right now if you know what I mean.

"Dingbat" is an amazing person and she is more like my best friend than my cousin. Josh is my partner and we're both filled with rage at the moment at the drunk driver. "Dingbat" wouldn't want us to be angry but it's hard not to be.

We're taking it in turns to sit with her. Not sure if she's aware we're there or not.

I'll keep sending the updates and hope to have more positive news to report tomorrow.

Sergei

[JesusA (imported)]

I know that I am devastated by the news about “Dingbat”/Maia. I knew her for but a short while, but she was a true jewel among humanity. She was kind, caring, witty, and incredibly bright. She and I were making plans to do some research and writing together.

I’m leaving her cousin Sergei’s email address below should anyone care to send condolences directly to Maia’s family.

Dr. Maia A. Wittelsbach-Tereshchenko will be greatly missed.

+++++

I'm sorry to have to let you know in this way that Maia died early this morning. It wasn't looking very good yesterday evening and overnight things went downhill. It was clear she had very severe and probably permanent brain injuries which would have left her very seriously disabled had she survived.

I don't really know what else to say at the moment apart from saying we can't imagine life without her. She was someone who was always supportive, always there for other people and never judgemental. She had a frightening intelligence which was made less scary by her very quick wit and tolerant and compassionate nature. Most of all she had integrity and she stood up for what she believed in. She worked tirelessly on things she considered to be injustices whether to do with intersex issues or judicial process or anything else. She wasn't a do gooder but she really believed in the idea that we should all be prepared to stand up for each other if we want people to stand up for us. I always admired her for that.

That some drunken idiot can wipe out such a wonderful and worthwhile life in one thoughtless moment has left us very angry and distraught with grief. We know there are also many other people grieving with us.

The amount of emails and texts we've had from people has been very supportive. Some people who've known her for years and others for only a short time. It has been very supportive to know that so many people cared about her and were wishing her well. We are very grateful to all the people who sent messages and we read a great many of them to her.

I don't really know what else to write at the moment but feel free to get in touch with us at any time.

Sergei & Joshak

From: "Sergei Tereshchenko" <[email protected]>

Date: May 3, 2007 2:22:04 PM PDT

[kristoff]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and following Dingbat's posts, and will miss them, their obvious intelligence and charming wit. My sympathies, and heartfelt condolences go to her family and friends with a sharp pain that is awakened. I lost my second youngest brother this same way 22 years ago, and the pain, occasional rage yet remaining, and the vacancy left behind is perhaps the worst part. "Ours" are gone and they no longer have pain, yet we do have memories - may they be cherished, Sergei & Joshak.

[balletkyle (imported)]

do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep,

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush-

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet brids in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night-

do not stand at my grave and cry

I am not there. I did not die.

May good bless her family in this difficult time

[Christina (imported)]

It is hard to find the right words to say at a moment like this. Even though she had been a member here for a short time I felt a connection to her. Her posts were always refreshing, witty and intelligent and I enjoyed reading them very much. I feel an overwhelming sense of loss right now. I can only imagine the emptiness that others feel right now that knew her well.

My condolences and sympathy go out to all her family and friends. She will be surely missed.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

Though I have been reading her posts for some time, I only really met Dingbat ten short days ago. It was after one of my posts that she sent me a private message and we began exchanging messages over a few days time.

Mostly we talked about her wacky parents and my mom. I asked her what she did for a living and she replied, "I'm a university professor of forensics and sociology." Her career sounded fascinating. I told her I had been a teacher and we suddenly had so much in common: education, career and wacky relatives.

Dingbat was so easy to talk to. I doubt if she had a seriously negative thought against anybody in the world. I wished I could have met her in person and her partner as well.

Considering the extent of her injuries, if she had survived it would not have been the same person we grew to like, respect and love. Her brain received so much trauma from the accident that she might never have regained consciousness or been able to talk or even live anything close to a decent life.

I think balletkyle's poem was a beautiful tribute to our Dingbat. And I think he's right in the way to remember her beyond her contributions to the Boards.

I say, let's think of her everytime we feel a breeze caress our face...when the wind blows a tree branch to and fro...

Dingbat was youth, courage, integrity and love. She enlightened and befriended us all. She had committment to live her life as she saw fit despite numerous social obstacles.

Dingbat was my friend,

I'll miss her greatly.

Assuming there is a Heavenly place, Dingbat will be happy there and would want us to be happy for her.

Let's remember her always...

We're the lucky ones because this unique individual touched us all.

[Paolo]

To compliment Balletkyle's post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaxusIUnw1M

Libera : Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep

[lilac (imported)]

I am so sorry to hear this Jesus. I know a lot of friends here on the EA. that never met her will grieve for her. Please send our warmest condolences to her family for us. Thankyou so much for your updates.

love and hugs, Lilac