FREE FULL SILICONE TAIL from Merdivas Studios

[Mermaid Oshun]

I dont have any edit capabilities on my browser for some reason. But thanks for offering the more socially appropriate euphemism. If I get the edit button back I will reword it.

[Mermaid Oshun]

I had considered the words terminally ill initially but opted for dying for a "down to earth" colloquial simplicity and to not potentially sound pretentious. Every person will have a different perception and there is no satisfying everyone so just be yourself.

[Jessica]

You're right that there's no satisfying everyone, but in this case I think it's best to consider the feelings of the parents and child first. Children aren't like adults, and many of them are not emotionally mature enough to understand death even if they are battling a potentially terminal illness. Labeling them as "dying" could cause the child unneeded stress and confusion. Also, many parents continue to have hope despite the odds, and continually encourage their children to fight their illness. Hope is a wonderful thing

giving a child a tail is a very sweet thing to do. maybe it would be best to just say that you would like to give a tail to a child battling a serious illness. have you considered getting involved with the make a wish foundation?

[Echidna]

Our modern society doesn't like to contemplate death, hence all the euphemisms regarding the word ("plant protection spray" instead of bug killer is a good example too).

In earlier times, dying people and dead bodies were a common sight for everyone;
today, we tend to shut that out.
People die in closed off rooms behind hospital doors; at most, we see a corpse during a funeral.
Most children have never seen a dead body.

By now, the idea of death alone tends to make people afraid, or at least very uncomfortable.
While that's fully understandable, maybe we should try to re-realize death is a part of life.

[Echidna]

give a tail to a child battling a serious illness.

and I like this phrasing very much.
I do hope the child in question will be able to wear the tail, and maybe even swim in it, at least once, and derive so much joy from it to feel much better.

[Mermaid Oshun]

Thanks for the ideas ladies. The organization which is handling this year's donation specializes in this exclusively so they totally have it under control. It will all be announced toward the end of 2014. I am actually working on the other sculpting projects first.

[Miyu]

Our modern society doesn't like to contemplate death, hence all the euphemisms regarding the word ("plant protection spray" instead of bug killer is a good example too).

In earlier times, dying people and dead bodies were a common sight for everyone;
today, we tend to shut that out.
People die in closed off rooms behind hospital doors; at most, we see a corpse during a funeral.
Most children have never seen a dead body.

By now, the idea of death alone tends to make people afraid, or at least very uncomfortable.
While that's fully understandable, maybe we should try to re-realize death is a part of life.

*Swims in shyly*

I agree with everything said here. I have had people severely harass me over the internet because of my old-fashioned views of death and my attempt to share a short life with my distant family.

...Then again, death has factored heavily in my life from a young age, so... yeah.



Golden Pearl, I think that's amazing! What charity is it through?

[Mermaid Oshun]

It will all be announced toward the end of 2014.

[Mermaid Oshun]

I have also been battling for my life for a number of years. This is why the cause for a terminally ill child is close to my heart. I personally have never been shy of using the words that I am dying, however.

[Mermaid Oshun]

PS others who are not experiencing it may speculate that a euphemism is in order. But, I personally have come to peace with it. For me saying it is empowering because then it is not happening TO me rather I am an active participant. That may be hard for some who are not dying to comprehend and this is just my own personal way of coping.

[MermaidMyrthe]

@Mermaid Golden Pearl
Awh, that is such a nice thing to do!! Good luck <3

[Mermaid Oshun]

Yeah another picture of my first tail

[PearlieMae]

It will all be announced toward the end of 2014.

Really?

[Mermaid Oshun]

Yes Pearlie Mae. My goal for MerDivas is to offer at least one free tail per year as a charitable service.

[Mermaid Oshun]

Yulia's free tail for 2013/14 has already been made. I am going to make her a SECOND tail however because she gave 2 different ankle measurements and a new tail has to be made for her 2nd (new) ankle measurement. Both tails are paid for with my own money as a gift.

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Last photo is same tail although it looks a totally different color with the camera at a different angle

[Yulia]

You asked for a new measurement because you thought it may be too small.

[Mermaid Oshun]

I am just glad we caught it before we shipped it all the way to Sweden and had to make it over after all that. This way is a little less disturbing at least

[Yulia]

That is true yes, I appreciate your willingness for remaking it. <:

[Mermaid Oshun]

Besides this way you get the firmer materials Im starting to use and the upgraded fluke sculpt... So hopefully all around a better product 2nd time around (couldnt find prayer hands)

[Imogen Finnly]

I submitted my letter to the fb page.. haha