Let's help Elizabeth! Let's Help Elo!
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Elizabeth Small is a dear friend to many. To me, she’s been a pal since 3rd grade, “Friendliest Girl” of MBHS class of ’79, and lifelong confidant. We ended up in separate parts of the Atlanta area as adults and have been able to meet for a meal or coffee at least a time or two each year. Through her career in youth ministry, she’s made countless friends who know her affectionately as “Elo.”
Elizabeth’s Story
At the end of 2019, Elizabeth amicably left her job at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and Mount Vernon School, where she had served as a beloved Minister to Youth for almost 22 years. A restructuring of church leadership and ministry roles led to this decision, which was difficult for all involved. The church generously provided Elo with income through the end of May and a career counseling program to help her plan next steps.
Little did anyone foresee the kinks that Covid-19 would throw into this good plan. The career counseling and job search were stalled amid lockdowns, and the income flow ended before new employment was secured.
In September, Elizabeth became ill with coronavirus. As her symptoms cleared, it became apparent that something still wasn’t right; she had difficulty with speech and mobility. Admitted to Northside Hospital, she was discovered to have suffered a stroke, attributed in part to concurrently diagnosed Diabetes.
After more than a week of hospitalization and two weeks of inpatient Rehab, she returned home but realized after a fall that she was not yet ready to live independently and could benefit from short-term Respite Care. A senior advocate helped her locate an assisted living facility (Sterling Estates East Cobb) where she is learning to manage her diabetes and continues to regain physical strength with the help of on-site physio staff and programs, along with prescribed home health and PT/OT visits.
Elizabeth looks forward to returning home to her kitties and independence, but at this point can’t say how long she will need to remain in Respite Care. She uses a walker and cannot yet drive or tackle household chores, but is striving for full recovery with her characteristic strong effort and positive attitude and is making progress. When she leaves Sterling Estates, she will need to move from the apartment where she lived for 22 years and make a fresh start in a new home with greater handicap access, yet to be located. Then her job search will resume. (She’s interested in advocacy work, if anyone has a lead for her!)
Please follow her CaringBridge site for progress updates and to send encouraging messages: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethsmall
Many of you have asked, “How Can I Help?”
Limited visitation is allowed at Sterling Estates because of pandemic restrictions. None of Elizabeth’s relatives live in Georgia. We local friends are doing what we can to help Elizabeth with errands and such.
Until she is well enough to make a move, resume her job search, and gain employment, Elizabeth is faced with staggering expenses related to her treatment and recovery as well as general living costs. While social distancing limits all of us in many ways, a most helpful way we can support Elizabeth is to contribute donations of any amount to her GoFundMe account. She will be able to use these funds as needed to help make ends meet – on her high medical bills, expensive Respite Care, relocating, rising apartment rent, meal delivery, housekeeping, etc. – until she is fully recovered and back on her feet again.
Maybe you can’t visit or do something physically for Elizabeth, but won’t you please consider contributing financially to help our dear friend carry this burden? She will be so grateful!
Please share this link with others who know or would want to help support Elizabeth / Elo.
Elizabeth’s Story
At the end of 2019, Elizabeth amicably left her job at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and Mount Vernon School, where she had served as a beloved Minister to Youth for almost 22 years. A restructuring of church leadership and ministry roles led to this decision, which was difficult for all involved. The church generously provided Elo with income through the end of May and a career counseling program to help her plan next steps.
Little did anyone foresee the kinks that Covid-19 would throw into this good plan. The career counseling and job search were stalled amid lockdowns, and the income flow ended before new employment was secured.
In September, Elizabeth became ill with coronavirus. As her symptoms cleared, it became apparent that something still wasn’t right; she had difficulty with speech and mobility. Admitted to Northside Hospital, she was discovered to have suffered a stroke, attributed in part to concurrently diagnosed Diabetes.
After more than a week of hospitalization and two weeks of inpatient Rehab, she returned home but realized after a fall that she was not yet ready to live independently and could benefit from short-term Respite Care. A senior advocate helped her locate an assisted living facility (Sterling Estates East Cobb) where she is learning to manage her diabetes and continues to regain physical strength with the help of on-site physio staff and programs, along with prescribed home health and PT/OT visits.
Elizabeth looks forward to returning home to her kitties and independence, but at this point can’t say how long she will need to remain in Respite Care. She uses a walker and cannot yet drive or tackle household chores, but is striving for full recovery with her characteristic strong effort and positive attitude and is making progress. When she leaves Sterling Estates, she will need to move from the apartment where she lived for 22 years and make a fresh start in a new home with greater handicap access, yet to be located. Then her job search will resume. (She’s interested in advocacy work, if anyone has a lead for her!)
Please follow her CaringBridge site for progress updates and to send encouraging messages: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethsmall
Many of you have asked, “How Can I Help?”
Limited visitation is allowed at Sterling Estates because of pandemic restrictions. None of Elizabeth’s relatives live in Georgia. We local friends are doing what we can to help Elizabeth with errands and such.
Until she is well enough to make a move, resume her job search, and gain employment, Elizabeth is faced with staggering expenses related to her treatment and recovery as well as general living costs. While social distancing limits all of us in many ways, a most helpful way we can support Elizabeth is to contribute donations of any amount to her GoFundMe account. She will be able to use these funds as needed to help make ends meet – on her high medical bills, expensive Respite Care, relocating, rising apartment rent, meal delivery, housekeeping, etc. – until she is fully recovered and back on her feet again.
Maybe you can’t visit or do something physically for Elizabeth, but won’t you please consider contributing financially to help our dear friend carry this burden? She will be so grateful!
Please share this link with others who know or would want to help support Elizabeth / Elo.
Organizer and beneficiary
Martha Williams
Organizer
Marietta, GA
Elizabeth Small
Beneficiary