Readers Share Wishes, Prayers for Grandmother, Dying Girl from Trenton

News came out Friday of a police report filed by a Trenton, MI, woman whose dying granddaughter was taunted on Facebook, claiming

Since then, Patch readers from California to Texas to and as far away as the United Kingdom have chimed in with well wishes and offers of support for the girl.

Many of the messages expressed the thoughts and prayers of perfect strangers for 7-year-old Kathleen Edwards, who is dying of Huntington's disease, and her grandmother, Rebecca Rose, who now cares for her. Rose's mother and Kathleen's mother, Laura Edwards, died of the same disease in 2009.

Many readers asked how to help, and if the family needed anything.

Rose asked readers to forward all donations to the Huntington's Disease Society of America. Huntington's disease, according to the National Institutes of Health, is a disorder passed down through families in which certain nerve cells in the brain waste away, or degenerate. "Let's take this and use it to help cure Huntington's disease, and help Kathleen," Rose said.

These are some of more than 100 emails today:

I believe that is far more powerful to see an outpouring of constructive love and support, shielding victims from further insult and offense, and besting hate with loving care. ...  I hope that something very constructive comes from your article, and that this is an enormous 'teaching opportunity' for positive response, rather than one which brings about vigilantism.— Lana Gordon of Houston, Texas

Thank you, for reporting this story, I have a 20-year-old son with multiple disabilities and is nice to know that if something like this ever happened to him people would stand up for him. — carmenaq23

I would like to send this little girl an encouraging card to help take away the sting of the negativity this woman is inflicting on her. Where can I send a card and what do you think of a 'card shower' for Kathleen? We do these at my church for people who are ill or house bound and stuff like that. I think it would definitely cheer her up and show her that there are more nice people out there thinking of her ... — Paula Beeman

People who are just plain cruel are hard to deal with. I suggest that Rebecca Rose and her sweet grandchild close their Facebook accounts and re-open them under a different name, similar to their own. Then they can contact all their friends that are trustworthy how to find them. Blessings and love.—Patty

Hello, I'm a 33-yr-old mother of 5 children in Flint, MI. My heart sunk when I read your (article). It brought tears to my eyes. I had a son that passed away in 2007 who was 6 yrs. He battled an illness that (ultimately) claimed his life. I could not imagine what the grandmother or child could be going (through). ... I'm just a small no-one. But, I really wish I could do something. If my words of heartache for the grandmother were only the thing needed, to heal the heart of a mother who has lost her daughter and is watching helplessly as her granddaughter goes would help. I give them freely. I grieve for her loss, her granddaughter, and the lack of compassion from others. I know that my spelling is not the best and I may need to take an English 101 class. But, my heart really goes out to Rebecca, the memory of her daughter, and her granddaughter. — Landcleair Galloway of Flint, MI

I would like to send a card of support and encouragement to Rebecca Rose and her granddaughter, Kathleen. I am wondering if you would provide me with an address that would reach them? Thank you so much. — Patty Daum

I have a handicapped daughter and I would like to help the grandmother with money for a lawyer if I could ... please have her send me a email ... making fun of a handicapped child is not a smart thing to do ... God looks after these children ... I know personally, because of all of the miracles I see around my daughter.... thanks for your time...—ray

Is there any initiative to set up a fund for this little girl and her grandmother to take a trip to escape the local circus? Being a seven year old little girl, I'm sure she has a lot of unanswered dreams and wishes. Is there any way to set up an online fund to make donations to perhaps secure a trip for her (and siblings, if there are any) and her grandmother to spend a week or so at Disney World and a resort?— sunny32127

How sad that people do such terrible things to others. Where is their heart? ... Rose my heart goes out to you on your loss. May God be with you and your family.— Beverly

Hang in there! When you have the time, get a children's lawyer for your daughter. I will help you speak up for child. We all will help you. — Maria

Want us to share your thoughts with Rose and Kathleen? Share them below or email editor Nate Stemen at nate.stemen@patch.com. Please make sure you keep it clean, and stick to our terms of use—(be nice, be fair basically).