For Nana & Gampy: A Glimmer of Hope
Donation protected
Friends and family:
As many of you may already know, in 2019, my grandfather, Fred Hamel (whom most of you know and refer to as ‘Gampy’) was diagnosed with dementia. Upon his diagnosis, we - Nana, Gampy, myself & my sister - committed to taking each day for what it is and strive to make the absolute most of what is left of our time together, as a family. Fortunately, we are grateful to report that his health has not declined rapidly, but rather gradually over the last two years.
Following a routine check-up this week with his dementia doctor, Gampy was informed that his illness has progressed to the point where he will not be able to drive for much longer. If that wasn’t enough to break this man’s highly independent spirit, the doctor looked at Nana and told her that if she has not retired already, it was about that time to consider leaving her job in order to “look after” and provide for her husband. While hiring a live-in nurse would be the ideal option, that is not in Nana and Gampy’s range of finances right now. So, at 70 years old, Nana is apprehensively choosing to retire in the very near future, though the circumstances aren’t exactly celebratory.
For those who know this dynamic duo personally, I have no doubts that many of you will agree with me when I state that these two human beings are two of the purest, kindest, loving souls that exist on this planet, to date. If you know of them, then you know that they have dedicated their entire lives to working above and beyond each and every day in order to provide for our family. If that isn’t enough, they also go out of their way on a daily basis to give back to their surrounding community of friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, even strangers, all the same. With that being said, after receiving the news that our family received this week, I decided that this will be my first of many attempts at giving back to them in a huge way.
With so much uncertainty regarding what this illness can and will throw Gampy’s way, my one and only goal is to provide my grandparents with a bit of reassurance and stability during a time that feels otherwise hopeless. Through this fundraiser, I hope to raise money in effort to provide Nana with the peace of mind she needs in order for her to commit fully to retiring and most importantly, allowing her to focus her energy on whatever time she and Gampy have left together, with as few stressors as possible. Any and all money raised will be given directly to Nana and Gampy to cover their bills that were previously covered through Nana’s part-time job as a sales associate at Rite Aid; a job she has given her all to for many years, but has since come to face the fact that she wants and needs to give her remaining years with her husband, to her husband.
Thank you all in advanced for simply loving these two humans as if they were your own grandparents. I cannot tell you how lucky I feel to be able to call them mine, but I can say that this village that you have all taken part in helping us build together fills their hearts, as well as my own, more than anything else in the world. If a donation is not possible for you, please know that I understand. I ask that you consider sending them a card wishing them well, letting them know you are thinking of them, etc., - anything to let Nana and Gampy know that they still have, and will always have, a village standing behind them during a time that may be the toughest battle they have endured in their 51 years together.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sincerely,
McKayla
As many of you may already know, in 2019, my grandfather, Fred Hamel (whom most of you know and refer to as ‘Gampy’) was diagnosed with dementia. Upon his diagnosis, we - Nana, Gampy, myself & my sister - committed to taking each day for what it is and strive to make the absolute most of what is left of our time together, as a family. Fortunately, we are grateful to report that his health has not declined rapidly, but rather gradually over the last two years.
Following a routine check-up this week with his dementia doctor, Gampy was informed that his illness has progressed to the point where he will not be able to drive for much longer. If that wasn’t enough to break this man’s highly independent spirit, the doctor looked at Nana and told her that if she has not retired already, it was about that time to consider leaving her job in order to “look after” and provide for her husband. While hiring a live-in nurse would be the ideal option, that is not in Nana and Gampy’s range of finances right now. So, at 70 years old, Nana is apprehensively choosing to retire in the very near future, though the circumstances aren’t exactly celebratory.
For those who know this dynamic duo personally, I have no doubts that many of you will agree with me when I state that these two human beings are two of the purest, kindest, loving souls that exist on this planet, to date. If you know of them, then you know that they have dedicated their entire lives to working above and beyond each and every day in order to provide for our family. If that isn’t enough, they also go out of their way on a daily basis to give back to their surrounding community of friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, even strangers, all the same. With that being said, after receiving the news that our family received this week, I decided that this will be my first of many attempts at giving back to them in a huge way.
With so much uncertainty regarding what this illness can and will throw Gampy’s way, my one and only goal is to provide my grandparents with a bit of reassurance and stability during a time that feels otherwise hopeless. Through this fundraiser, I hope to raise money in effort to provide Nana with the peace of mind she needs in order for her to commit fully to retiring and most importantly, allowing her to focus her energy on whatever time she and Gampy have left together, with as few stressors as possible. Any and all money raised will be given directly to Nana and Gampy to cover their bills that were previously covered through Nana’s part-time job as a sales associate at Rite Aid; a job she has given her all to for many years, but has since come to face the fact that she wants and needs to give her remaining years with her husband, to her husband.
Thank you all in advanced for simply loving these two humans as if they were your own grandparents. I cannot tell you how lucky I feel to be able to call them mine, but I can say that this village that you have all taken part in helping us build together fills their hearts, as well as my own, more than anything else in the world. If a donation is not possible for you, please know that I understand. I ask that you consider sending them a card wishing them well, letting them know you are thinking of them, etc., - anything to let Nana and Gampy know that they still have, and will always have, a village standing behind them during a time that may be the toughest battle they have endured in their 51 years together.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sincerely,
McKayla
Organizer
McKayla Bond
Organizer
Concord, NH