What is Team Tulla about?

Why I started this blog

Team Tulla, as a blog, started with the desire to answer the question "How is she doing?" So often, that's one of the first things people ask when they see me. I never know exactly how to answer. It's so hard to balance what's too much information with what's necessary to explain where she's at. Her journey is so nuanced, and that inspired me to start this blog.

This blog has also given me an amazing space to help articulate my own thoughts and share them with you.

How I came up with the name

I remember learning about alliteration in school. It was so fun to try to find words that all started with the same letter but created a meaningful statement. My family spent months speaking in alliteration whenever we could. Using Team Tulla truly is a tribute to her tribe, her trials, and triumphs (see what I mean?). That gives the "Team" in "Team Tulla" extra special meaning.

Who is Team Tulla?

Team Tulla is anyone who supports Tulla and her journey. It's my neighbor, who helped to create a feeding station without even realizing its impact. It's the community around her, keeping her in their prayers.

It's you. You are the ones who check in to see how she's doing when you see us, and keep updated here on this blog. Many of you have helped us financially. You sent donations and gift cards so we wouldn't have to carry that financial burden when we were unexpectedly in the hospital for that week after she was born. You sent care packages and words of encouragement when we needed them most.

It's our family, who helps and supports us any way they can. It's my mom, coming along so that I don't have to drive the four hours to Tulla's out-of-town doctor appointments alone, and helping create a functional feeding backpack that meets our needs. It's my mother and father-in-law watching my boys and providing meals so I can focus all my attention on Tulla during those times that take us away from home.

It's me, advocating for Tulla to make sure she gets the help she needs to be safe and healthy. It's my husband, working tirelessly to support our family so I can stay home and take care of everyone.

It's the love and support that's poured into her, and into our family. If any of these descriptions sound like you, thank you for being a part of Team Tulla. Your support means so much more than I can ever say. We've come through so much already, and part of that is thanks to all of you.

How can I support Team Tulla?

You may have noticed the "Team Tulla Merch" banner at the bottom of the page. That's actually a link to some pretty cool clothing and things you can purchase to show your support if that's something that interests you. If you're local, you may have seen us wearing these shirts around town from time to time. A portion of the proceeds help offset the additional expenses of Tulla's care.

If you'd like to donate directly, I have a GiveSendGo set up as well. Donations go directly towards her care, with things like adaptive clothing, extra supplies, medications, food and gas money for hospital trips and specialist visits further away from home, and other things of that nature.

I've never mentioned either link directly on the blog before, and I don't mention it with any specific expectation. I do know there are people out there who have asked how they can help, and those are some ways if that's something you'd want to do.

Honestly, I'm so grateful for the community and love that surrounds our family. Your prayers and care have helped sustain us. That's why I've given the blog this name. Team Tulla.

What's Team Tulla's goal?

When people ask, "Why Team Tulla?" I want it to start a conversation. I want to raise awareness for rare medical conditions, especially for Tulla's conditions and silent aspiration. I want to create the space for people to support us. I also want to teach others through my experiences.

If something I've been through resonates with another caregiver, or gives them an idea about how to support their own children, that would be amazing! Even if all that happens is that someone out there, dealing with their own struggles, feels a little less alone, I would consider it a huge success.

Join Team Tulla

This is my way of sharing our story and thanking our community, so thank you for being a part of Team Tulla! And thanks for sticking around to hear all the updates. I've also created an option to subscribe to get updates when I publish new posts. All you need to provide is an email address, and I promise not to spam your inbox! Your love and support mean more than you know.

Please keep reading—there’s more to come, and feel free to share this blog with anyone who might want to join the team.