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Volunteer:
Kirk
CELEBRATING ELI
When I became guardian for Eli he was just starting to be reconciled
with his family after years of estrangement. His daughter was
the most interested, but due to being handicapped was unable
to travel on her own to Eli’s nursing home. I was able
to bring the daughter to visit numerous times over a period
of a year. Eli and his daughter developed a closer relationship
and he always asked about her when I visited. Also, the daughter
became someone to consult during periods of illness and hospitalization.
Upon Eli’s death the daughter worked with the prepaid burial
plan to arrange a nice funeral, which many family members attended.
I celebrate Eli’s life. |
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Volunteer
and Board Member: Janice
CELEBRATING JIM
Jim was 64 and living with dementia, kidney disease and other
conditions. A proud Korean War veteran, he never remembered
my name but eventually decided to call me his governess. Jim
died with nothing but a Bible, a few mystery novels and some
clothes. He never demanded much but was grateful for anything
that came his way. I learned a lot from Jim—especially
to greet everyone with a smile. I have learned that in helping
your wards you get to see genuine caring by total strangers
and a million small miracles. I celebrate Jim's life. |
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Staff
Guardian: Jude
CELEBRATING
CHARLOTTE
Charlotte was a normal 29-year old woman, engaged to be married
when she was stricken with viral encephalitis. She couldn’t
talk, only grunt. Her guardian, Jude, transferred her from
a nursing home with primarily elderly residents to one with
younger residents. Two and one-half years later, he discharged
her home and she is now enrolled in rehabilitation due to
her short-term memory deficits. We celebrate the good care
she received and her response to therapy.
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Coordinator
of Client Services: Beth
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Program
Director: Linda
CELEBRATIING
VICTOR
Victor served in the Air Force in World War II and learned
to be a ham operator. His guardian, Linda, preserved his ham
operating equipment from his apartment before transferring
him to a nursing home. He kept in touch with the world until
shortly before his death.
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Staff
Guardian: John Pallotta
CELEBRATING
DEBORAH
They said it couldn’t be done, but Guardian John wouldn’t
take no for an answer. His ward, Deborah, was in hospice and
her dying wish was to go to Florida to be near her family.
She was wheelchair bound and incontinent. To make this happen
John had to find a new guardian in Florida, find a suitable
nursing home placement, and link her to friends and family
to assist at the other end of the flight. With only a letter
from hospice, he got her through though security at the airport
without a photo ID. The trip was over six months ago and Deborah
continues to live in Florida near family and friends! What
a celebration of life.
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Staff
Guardian: Mike Garvey
CELEBRATING
MILTON
Milton was a resident of a local nursing home when Mike became
his guardian. He faithfully attended AA meetings and with
the support and encouragement of Mike he was able to go back
living in the community. He had a few stumbles at first but
now has adjusted well to his new freedom. We celebrate his
success.
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Beth
DeLancey
CELEBRATING
TYRONE
When Guardian Beth found out that her ward, Tyrone, had taken
his funds and hopped a bus to Chicago, she didn’t know
what she was getting into. For five months Tyrone was kept
in the Illinois State Mental Hospital until Beth could navigate
the Illinois court system in order to have them acknowledge
her as guardian. Upon his return to Cleveland he was stabilized
at North Coast Behavioral Hospital and is now managing much
better in a group home. We celebrate Tyrone’s safe return
to Cleveland where he is now safe and out of the state hospital!
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Volunteer
Coordinator: Barb Matlak
CELEBRATING
FLORENCE
Florence was quite hostile to her guardian, Barb. But she
needed hospice services. Florence’s son did not visit
regularly due to his own mental illness, but when told that
his mother was very ill he started to visit almost every other
day. Florence was so pleased and soon hospice was discontinued
due to her improvement. Whether it was the additional care
from hospice or having more visits from her son, we know Florence
is doing a lot better now.
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