New Recliners for Clay and Catherine

Dear Friends and Family of Clay and Catherine Parker,

So many people have asked me how they could help my family at this difficult time. I have discovered something you could help us with that would greatly benefit my mother and father. There are very few things that could add to my Father and Mother's quality of life today, then two new recliners. I am Kam Parker, their daughter, and I appreciate your support.

Here I am with Mom in her old recliner enjoying the Mark Lowry #justwhenever gospel sing-a-long. I decided to take a video and post it to Mark's Facebook page. Below is a familiar picture of my folks taking their evening naps. They often hold hands when they fall asleep.

As you may know, my Parents Clay and Catherine Parker, contracted the CoVid virus around Christmas time. My sister and I have been providing around-the-clock care since Jan. 2nd. My Dad, Clay, 93, is no longer in danger, and his health is returning; like many of us, he knows it will be a while before he has his strength back. Before CoVid he was my Mom's primary caregiver.

My Mom, Catherine, 91, is a different story. Mom survived three strokes over the last year and a half. She also has dementia, and CoVid has created a marked decline. All this year, she would ask me, "When are you coming to see me?" By the New Year in the grips of the CoVid virus, and we suspect more mini strokes (TIAs), she stopped talking. Now, Mom sleeps about twenty-two hours a day and may say about ten words. She will nod her head yes or no. Just at Christmas, my Mom, in a wheelchair, enjoyed Christmas at my sister's home, playing games and eating a wonderful holiday meal. Everything has changed for my parents and our family.

We do not know how many days or weeks my Mom may have to live. She sleeps mostly in my parents' upstairs bedroom, but she still wants to make the trip downstairs and be with my father in the afternoons. Using a stairlift and a wheelchair, we create a "normal" day for them. Unfortunately, my parents spend a lot of time in older recliners that no longer stay reclined. They have wooden handles on the side and have only one position. In these recliners, my parents greet visitors, answer the phone, watch a show on TV, relax, recover and sleep. Sometimes they will spend more than six hours in these chairs. These old chairs are not working. I have my Mom's recliner propped up on books to prevent her from sliding out. My Dad spends so much time in his recliner that it's hurting his back.

My Dad needs a recliner that keeps him in charge, protects his back, and allows him to comfortably nap next to the woman he's been married to for 69 years. We want to purchase new electric wall-hugging recliners that give my Mom better options for sleeping and sitting up when she is alert. Once Mom has no choice but to remain in her Hospice bed, my Dad will be able to sleep next to her in his new electric sleeping recliner.

We feel $2400 should cover the recliners we have in mind. We don't need a "lift" or heat and massage. Our goal is to purchase two comfortable matching recliners that lay almost flat. If we exceed the amount we need, additional funds will help provide what my Mom and Dad need as my Mom nears the end of her life. Primarily it will help us cover the cost of their 24-hour care.

Thank you so much for honoring my Mother and Father! Thank you for helping our family reach our Goal!

Respectfully yours,

Kam Parker