Caregiving And Advocacy
Sam
His name is Sam. At thirty, he never left home for his own apartment or drove to a job. Dancing at weddings, sneaking coffee, eating out—those are fun for all of us as long as Sam is there.
His genetic issues leave him very few words but hasn’t diminished his love of music and people. A high five and hug are his trademarks. We treasure him because when Sam hears the band at church, he reaches other people by clapping. moving about. All without fanfare.
Because Sam shows us how to love.
Veteran Hero
Mom and Dad were in the Marriage Hall of Fame in Alabama. (I know, you’ve never heard of it.) Seventy years together. Pretty amazing. Especially when Dad, at the age of ninety, let us relocate Mom and him to Mobile from their home so we could help care for her.
Their apartment in the Assisted Living Facility testified to his proud navy years during WWll.
But his heroism shone in other ways.
He communicated for her, brushed hair, daily got Mom out of and into bed, took her anywhere she’d go. Bravo, Dad. It was your finest moment.
Caregivers
We were roomates at the University. Fellow nursing students in a new BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program. Pace setters in a new foray of healthcare.
I went into community nursing. Later, a second degree in physical therapy.
Susan (center) became an ICU guru in hospitals and then with the government.
Beverly (left) helped moms deliver those babies. Then, her career branched into psychiatry and grief counseling.
We remained in healthcare and stayed in touch. Caregivers and friends forever.