Neighbors bringing equipment for my dad

In December, my dad had a stroke. It was the 5th of December and he was about to go under the house to do some upkeep and maintenance when he realized something was wrong. Thankfully he knew he needed medical attention and called 911 immediately. 

When a family member suffers a medical event, doctors and nurses are there to assess, diagnose, and treat the patient. They often rescue the patient from the danger of catastrophic outcomes or even death.

Being in the hospital for an extended time can cause the patient to lose strength, mobility, and even hope. 

Depending on the situation, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists then take over helping the patient regain strength, skills, and strategies to resume daily life. We are all very thankful for these medical professionals and the knowledge and expertise they share with their patients.

However, what happens to the person and their family once they get home? The family has to then take on the care of the person and that can be daunting. How does the family manage the physical effort, the time, and the emotional impact of becoming full-time caregivers while also trying to figure out a new way of life? 

And how does the family become full-time caregivers and still work, take care of the household chores, and handle other responsibilities of managing a home and a family? How does a family do the dishes, mow the lawn, wash the clothes, and pay the bills — while in crisis. 

How does the family in crisis do all this? 

The answer is they can’t do it all alone. No one can. At least not for very long. 

Although my Dad’s stroke was considered “minor,” he was in the hospital and rehab for weeks. When he came home in January, he needed help doing daily living tasks. My mom could not manage his care and caring for me all by herself. 

Enter: A Band Of Angels. 

Not angels with visible wings and halos, but angels all the same. For my family, some of these angels were hired and some volunteered. Some we knew and some were strangers. Some we knew we needed, and others filled needs we did not know we had. 

As soon as people knew my dad had a stroke, they started coming. There are so many people who have helped us with their time, hard work, encouragement, advice, and prayers. They have never asked for anything in return and deserve all our thanks and appreciation.

Of course, our extended family was there for us. They were definitely there to listen, to advise, and to support. But none of our other extended family lives in Georgia, so there is only so much they could do to help us from long distance.

We’ve had caregivers–both for me and now my dad. I don’t know what my family would have done without these kind, professional women who swooped in and knew exactly what to do and how to do it. 

 Then many other angels arrived on the scene.

• My mom’s colleagues at Lakeside High School who prayed with her, started a Go Fund Me, and managed a Meal Train.
• My Compassionate Atlanta family who have checked on my dad and supported me throughout this journey. 
• My church, our neighborhood church, and my parents’ church who prayed, sent meals, and brought communion. 
• Lifelong friends who visited my dad to keep him company and keep his spirits up when my mom and I could not be there with him.
• Even strangers, people we do not even know personally, who participated in the Go Fund Me, sent meals, and prayed.