 Suevonia
Stewart spent most of her working life helping others. Besides
raising six children, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at
several Kansas City area hospitals and nursing homes. She
enjoyed helping to ease the pain of sick and injured patients and
watching them recover. While she got a great deal of personal
satisfaction from her nursing efforts, she didn’t make a lot of
money.
Today, Suevonia is discovering what it’s like to be the one receiving help, instead of the one who’s giving it. The 81 year-old Kansas City woman is living with a variety of physical ailments. A heart condition, high blood pressure, and spinal stenosis are all putting a damper on her golden years, but Suevonia is determined to continue living independently in her home. It’s not always easy. Several months ago, she fell in her home and spent several hours on the floor before finally finding the strength to pull herself up into a chair. She now keeps a portable phone with her at all times. Recognizing that she can’t continue on her own, she has turned to several CFC agencies for help. Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries’ Senior Outreach program has been a godsend for Suevonia. In addition to providing food when she runs short, MLM has helped pay medical bills, dental bills and her gas bill. They’ve also picked up the tab for plumbing and furnace repairs. But there’s more to the story of how CFC has helped. Another program at The Whole Person provides an aide to help Suevonia cook, clean house, do laundry and take her grocery shopping and to the drug store. His name is Anthony, and he almost feels like he’s helping his mother when he stops by to see Suevonia. As for what she thinks? “I thank God they have programs like these, now that I need a hand. They are helping me keep my independence and my sanity. There’s no doubt that I’d be in a world of hurt without MLM, The Whole Person and CFC.” |