Liebe Freunde der Kinder in Togo,

Ruth and Joe are not wealthy. They’re not famous. They’re not trying to game the system.

They are two people who built a quiet life in Teller County, Colorado. They worked hard, paid their bills, raised children, and gave back to their community.

And yet, through a tangle of medical opinions, court rulings, and misunderstandings, they lost the right to make decisions about their own lives.

• Ruth has Parkinson’s-related dementia.
• Joe was wrongly accused of having dementia.
• A conservator was appointed.
• A nursing facility was chosen.
• Their voices were silenced.

Now, they live apart. Not by choice — but by order.

This isn’t just their story. It’s a cautionary tale.

If this can happen to Ruth and Joe, it can happen to any of us — especially those who are aging, disabled, or vulnerable.

Let’s fight for them while we can. Let’s stand for self-determination.
Let’s show the world that we still care about dignity and love.

All it takes is one act of kindness.
Give a buck. Be the difference.