Help Ruth to continue to get the care that she needs

So much of life is a surprise! It’s funny how we can often look back and say to ourselves, “Well, I never saw THAT coming!” But that is exactly how it happened that I became the caretaker for my dear friend, Ruth.

My name is Susan McBride and I have had the privilege to know my friend, Norma Ruth Wallace, or "Ruth" as she prefers to be called, for over 10 years. Ruth is funny, smart, whimsical, and deeply spiritual. She loves to sing, dance, and take long walks. Ruth is gentle, kind, caring, and has always been fiercely independent. She loves Jesus, lemonade, pizza, trail mix, and super sweet coffee. She is inventive, insightful, and energetic. Ruth has no family and no money, but she has a multitude of friends who love her - of which I am one. Ruth is 94 years old and has dementia that is slowly robbing Ruth of her ability to communicate, read, write, bathe or do simple tasks like turn on the television.

Ruth has lived a life of service to the church and to the community. As a former nun, Ruth worked as a teacher in a facility for troubled teens. And later, she worked in the Catholic Church in a variety of roles. Ruth was an active member of the Centering Prayer group that I facilitate before the onset of the dementia. Ruth has always given out of her own limited means to anyone in need.

We recently had to admit Ruth to an assisted living facility since she now requires round-the-clock care. The facility costs $3,500 a month. Ruth's income is from Social Security and is only $1,000 a month. We have applied for Medicaid assistance but are presently on a waiting list for help. The facility is paid for the next two months, but if the Medicaid does not materialize before that, there will be no money to pay for Ruth's care and nowhere for Ruth to go. At the present time, we are hoping to cover Ruth's expenses for the next six months. Ruth has been a blessing to so many throughout her life. Please help us to continue to bless this incredible woman with the love and care that she needs and deserves. May God bless you for your help!