Not Living, “Just Existing”
Donation protected
Meet Aunt Jane :
This is my great aunt Jane Ford . She was once an energetic , vibrant , fourth grade school teacher who loved to take walks and enjoy nature’s beauty. Today , however, she couldn’t tell you what the weather was like outside or what day of the week it is . She is so disconnected from her old self and the rest of the world that she is not truly enjoying her life at 77 years old, but “just existing” as she puts it.
Aunt Jane’s Journey:
Since her third stroke in October 2019, Aunt Jane has been bedridden and urine incontinent, completely stripping her of her independence and self- confidence . Over the last few years, she’s been staying with a nice family that has been able to provide basic in-home care such as sponge baths and diaper changes, but still faces many challenges as she deals with her rapidly diminishing health.
Her first stroke was back in 1997. This is when she was forced to end her career as a teacher, a passion she had fulfilled for many years. She retired from Jefferson Elementary in Berkeley, CA, leaving behind many adoring students and an esteemed teaching legacy. Fortunately though, she was able to make a miraculous recovery after an eight month nursing rehab. She spent the next few years moving from nursing home to nursing home , in search of the appropriate care. At this time she was still walking and talking fine.
Things quickly took a turn for the worst when she had her second stroke in August 2019. At this time, she lost her ability to walk independently. She and her daughter , Lisa Clarke, were able to get her an electric wheelchair so that she could still have a small sense of independence. During this time she was able to go outside, soak up the sun and breathe in some fresh air, although it wasn’t like the walks she was used to going on years before.
Now, however, Aunt Jane faces even more obstacles as her mobility and independence are restricted yet again. The wheelchair unexpectedly broke in 2019, robbing her of her last bit of happiness. Since then, she’s been refined to the four walls of her bedroom. This complete disconnect from the rest of the world has had an immensely negative impact on her health, confidence and her quality of life overall.
Solutions:
Lisa, Aunt Jane’s only daughter, has been working intensely over the last few years to save up enough money to help her mom. She plans to move her mother in with her and care for her herself, but finances have not yet permitted that change to happen. In the meantime, Aunt Jane yearns for the small things in life that we all take for granted; like stopping to sniff the roses.
Living a life as limited as Aunt Jane’s, you are not so hopeful and enthusiastic for the future. After everything she’s been through, it is hard for her to still have faith that she can enjoy her life, but we can restore that faith for her.
How You Can Help:
My family and I have started this GoFundMe to help Aunt Jane purchase another electric wheelchair. It is an Eagle Falcon Power Recliner Folding Chair. This wheelchair would not only allow her to go outside of her home, but it can fit in her daughter’s car as well ,so she can reconnect with the rest of the world too.
This single act of goodwill will improve her quality of life tremendously by allowing her the freedom to fulfill basic needs like getting sunlight and fresh air. These are minor things we take for granted, but imagine living years without it ! Imagine being confined to your bed 24/7. You’re not “living” in fact , but “just existing”, exactly how Aunt Jane describes it.
Having mobility will enhance Aunt Jane’s physical, mental, and emotional health . Being bedridden for years is unhealthy for anybody , especially a 77 year old women who once used to be so lively. Being able to move around will improve her physical health by making her somewhat active again and getting her out of the bed everyday. This, in turn, will improve her mental and emotional health by restoring her confidence and hope.
Any size donation toward Aunt Jane’s recovery would be greatly appreciated ! Finances are a bit tight as she continues to pay the Aid Family for care and rent, and her daughter does what she can to help her mother in other ways. We are all doing what we can as a family but in the meantime Aunt Jane is still “just existing” so everyday counts!
From the bottom of our hearts we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family and if possible in giving (any amount will help).
We thank you for your support and God bless each and every one of you!!
This is my great aunt Jane Ford . She was once an energetic , vibrant , fourth grade school teacher who loved to take walks and enjoy nature’s beauty. Today , however, she couldn’t tell you what the weather was like outside or what day of the week it is . She is so disconnected from her old self and the rest of the world that she is not truly enjoying her life at 77 years old, but “just existing” as she puts it.
Aunt Jane’s Journey:
Since her third stroke in October 2019, Aunt Jane has been bedridden and urine incontinent, completely stripping her of her independence and self- confidence . Over the last few years, she’s been staying with a nice family that has been able to provide basic in-home care such as sponge baths and diaper changes, but still faces many challenges as she deals with her rapidly diminishing health.
Her first stroke was back in 1997. This is when she was forced to end her career as a teacher, a passion she had fulfilled for many years. She retired from Jefferson Elementary in Berkeley, CA, leaving behind many adoring students and an esteemed teaching legacy. Fortunately though, she was able to make a miraculous recovery after an eight month nursing rehab. She spent the next few years moving from nursing home to nursing home , in search of the appropriate care. At this time she was still walking and talking fine.
Things quickly took a turn for the worst when she had her second stroke in August 2019. At this time, she lost her ability to walk independently. She and her daughter , Lisa Clarke, were able to get her an electric wheelchair so that she could still have a small sense of independence. During this time she was able to go outside, soak up the sun and breathe in some fresh air, although it wasn’t like the walks she was used to going on years before.
Now, however, Aunt Jane faces even more obstacles as her mobility and independence are restricted yet again. The wheelchair unexpectedly broke in 2019, robbing her of her last bit of happiness. Since then, she’s been refined to the four walls of her bedroom. This complete disconnect from the rest of the world has had an immensely negative impact on her health, confidence and her quality of life overall.
Solutions:
Lisa, Aunt Jane’s only daughter, has been working intensely over the last few years to save up enough money to help her mom. She plans to move her mother in with her and care for her herself, but finances have not yet permitted that change to happen. In the meantime, Aunt Jane yearns for the small things in life that we all take for granted; like stopping to sniff the roses.
Living a life as limited as Aunt Jane’s, you are not so hopeful and enthusiastic for the future. After everything she’s been through, it is hard for her to still have faith that she can enjoy her life, but we can restore that faith for her.
How You Can Help:
My family and I have started this GoFundMe to help Aunt Jane purchase another electric wheelchair. It is an Eagle Falcon Power Recliner Folding Chair. This wheelchair would not only allow her to go outside of her home, but it can fit in her daughter’s car as well ,so she can reconnect with the rest of the world too.
This single act of goodwill will improve her quality of life tremendously by allowing her the freedom to fulfill basic needs like getting sunlight and fresh air. These are minor things we take for granted, but imagine living years without it ! Imagine being confined to your bed 24/7. You’re not “living” in fact , but “just existing”, exactly how Aunt Jane describes it.
Having mobility will enhance Aunt Jane’s physical, mental, and emotional health . Being bedridden for years is unhealthy for anybody , especially a 77 year old women who once used to be so lively. Being able to move around will improve her physical health by making her somewhat active again and getting her out of the bed everyday. This, in turn, will improve her mental and emotional health by restoring her confidence and hope.
Any size donation toward Aunt Jane’s recovery would be greatly appreciated ! Finances are a bit tight as she continues to pay the Aid Family for care and rent, and her daughter does what she can to help her mother in other ways. We are all doing what we can as a family but in the meantime Aunt Jane is still “just existing” so everyday counts!
From the bottom of our hearts we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family and if possible in giving (any amount will help).
We thank you for your support and God bless each and every one of you!!
Organizer
Chyann Fiddiman
Organizer
San Leandro, CA