It’s rare to find a true bosom buddy. A soul mate. A best friend who is more like family than friend. I’d like to tell you a story about this amazing woman in my life, and her brilliantly talented, inspiring daughter and the struggles they are currently facing. Sage is a long time friend, like a sister to me. We call each other “chosen family”. She is a wonderful mother and caring person who lives her life to help others, to lift them up and bring joy into this world. She is also an extremely talented writer, poet, playwright, and actress. Her husband, Geoff, is also a warm, loving person and talented musician and composer. His music can be heard in many films, television shows and more.
Sage and her daughter live with a genetic disease, Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which causes daily pain and compromises their immune systems. When they get sick, they get very sick and it can be dangerous for them. Sometimes they seem perfectly fine, other times the pain and complications can lead them to be wheelchair bound, even bed bound for a while. However, they don’t let that interfear with living life to the fullest. In fact, since they have a lower life expectancy, they live every day more fully and intentionally than most of us.
Due to their unpredictible health, medical expenses, etc, they have had to slow down in their careers and live a very modest lifestyle. They were even homeless for a period of time. The term “starving artist” is an all too real reality for this beautiful family. And yet, they never lose faith, positivity, or their incredible desire to help others in need.
A Gifted and Talented Youth & Activist
Their daughter, Gracie, is also a very driven and gifted artist through stop motion animation and photography. She graduated high school at 15 and traveled to France to become one of the youngest alumna of the Château d’Orquevaux Artists and Writers Residency. Her parents were also accepted into residency with her (what an exceptional family of artists!). She is now one of a handful of students chosen this school year to be admitted to Ardman Academy for Animation in England after a year of grueling interviews and submissions of sample projects. Her goal is to bring awareness to and end homelessness through her art. Hear more in her own words on her website and on one of her Instagram posts.
She is a truly exceptional person. Like her parents, she is kind and caring and passionate about making this world a better place. Sage, Geoff, and Gracie gave up everything to move abroad for Gracie to follow her dream. They understood the risks, but chose to live bravely in faith, rather than hold back out of fear.
Following a Dream on a Leap of Faith
The past few months, they have been working tirelesly to sell everything they own and prepare to move. A difficult process to go through a lifetime of memories and decide what few items to keep, especially with health issues and then Geoff’s mother passing just weeks before their moving date. It’s a blessing he was able to spend time with his mom in her final days, though it cut into the work of sorting and packing both physically and mentally. It’s even harder to make decisions when you’re grieving. I was priveleged to go with my son to visit and help for a couple days just before they left.
Sage and her daughter left for Europe a couple weeks ago, while Geoff stayed behind to finish clearing out their house and pack up the things they will store or ship. The two of them made it across the Atlantic safely and are staying in Airbnbs until they can find permanent housing. Gracie had been doing her classes online and was finally able to join in-person classes. She was giddy with excitement and nervous about having the energy necessary to complete projects under a deadline while managing her EDS. She had a wonderful first day at the Academy with her professors and peers! However, many students came down with a cold after that day.
Complications
Even taking all precautions, Gracie also fell ill. The cold quickly turned life threatening. She’s been in and out of the hospital, struggling to breathe. Medical expenses, including cab rides (they do not have a car), are depleting their very modest funds needed to hold them over until they can get work abroad.
I’ve been speaking to Sage almost daily, using a free long distance text app. Her daughter is slowly mending, though Sage has also come down with illness and is in much pain. Taking care of her daughter has made it difficult to do her usual daily routines that keep her body functional with EDS. Her husband is still State-side. He is anxious to join them, but smashed and broke a finger and needed physical therapy to help with mobility, so the packing and selling has slowed to almost a halt while he heals.
Can’t Seem to Catch a Break!
On top of all this, they have dealt with having to move into another Airbnb while being too weak to even carry their suitcases (praise God for Angels who helped them), scamming cab drivers, attempted break ins, being snubbed by health care workers that didn’t immedietly understand their compromised health conditions and more. Sage tells you some of the story in her own words, better than I can, on her Substack posts: The Ambulance Came and just today, When the Angels Came.
I love this little family like my own and worry about all of them. I feel helpless being so far away. I asked if I could start a GoFundMe type campaign for them, but they didn’t feel comfortable asking for handouts. They prefer to offer something in return, so the following are some ways you can support them, if you feel led, to provide for their medical needs, gain safe housing, furnishings and necessities for said housing, transportation, and getting started off in their new life as well as support the furthering of their careers as artists and activists.
Simple Ways to Help
Subscription
Sage writes at Sage Words on Substack. Become a paid subscriber along with me for a low fee per month and have access to her articles, poetry, and podcasts: https://sagejustice.substack.com. If we can get her to 100 paid subscribers, she will be listed as a best seller, which will help her tremendously.
Book Purchase
She wrote a wonderful book, Sage Words: Freedom that I highly recommend. It’s about finding joy in everyday life, no matter our circumstances. I’ve read it multiple times, not always cover to cover. You can choose a section to read individually that resonates with you.
Every time I read it I gain new insight and marvel at the wisdom shared in these pages; how she lives with and shares gratitude and happiness even through all the challenges she has faced, which is quite a ridiculously unfair amount. I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in her series.
Find it on Amazon here: Sage Words Freedom Book One: Create a life you don’t need a vacation from by Sage Justice.
Also available on audiobook at Barnes and Noble here: Freedom by Sage Justice Narrated by Sage Justice.
Shop
Another way to help, if you’re feeling led, is to purchase anything from their Etsy shop: Trusted Vintage Gifts. Think of it as a donation that will not only help with funds, but also clear out items they won’t be moving abroad with them.
They will soon have some beautiful furniture available for pick up in Orange County, California. I’ll share more when Geoff is ready to sell those items. Here’s a little preview if you’re not far and want to reserve it.
Table, dining chairs, cabinets, RV recliner, desk, treadmill, large mirror, ballet bar, beach chairs, & more.
Thank you
Thank you for reading, caring, for your prayers, and any help you can give. Feel free to leave a comment or private message me on Facebook if you have questions or other help to offer.
