Kindness in the Face of Adversity | Commitment Extends Beyond the Angels' Place Homes

 Hello Angels' Place Friends:

It was Holy Thursday when Chief Programs Officer Shelly Phenix called to let me know one of our residents was sick.

The phone call was grave. He had an upset stomach, vomited, and aspirated some of the content. Given this new issue, combined with his underlying health issues, the outcome did not look good. 

Though I was traveling for the Easter weekend, it was comforting to know that several other Angel's Place staff members were at the hospital ICU with the resident and his family.

On Good Friday, I was reminded of the sixth station of the Stations of the Cross: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. By offering her veil to Jesus, Veronica eased Jesus' suffering. Her gesture is remembered as a symbol of kindness and courage in the face of adversity.

It seemed to me in that moment that this is exactly what our caregivers were doing...what they do every day. And it is especially noteworthy when they do it while our residents are most vulnerable - in a hospital, subacute care, or hospice care.

They offer their veil to the residents and their families. And you make their work possible.

By Easter Sunday, the resident had improved. When I visited him on Monday, he was watching television. By Tuesday, he was sitting in a chair, clapping to songs on his sister's phone. 

By the middle of the week, the hospital was planning for a discharge and the caregivers continued to advocate for the resident - that he receive the proper therapies and was fully capable of returning home - before he was released.

A bed and his housemates are waiting at his Angels' Place home - when he is able.

Across town, another resident recently returned to her Angels' Place home after an extended hospital and rehab stay. 

Part of Angels' Place commitment of care for life extends beyond the Angels' Place homes. Your generosity makes this commitment possible.

Tradition holds that when Jesus returned the veil to Veronica, the image of His face was imprinted on it. Our residents return to health, their committed caregivers, and your generosity are also, their own ways, miraculous.

On behalf of the women and men of Angels' Place, THANK YOU.

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