raeanna74

I just had to share this for how positive the story is. Hope it gives some of you more hope for humankind.

A close family friend who we call Aunt and her husband Uncle have been struggling lately. Our Uncle is suffering from Alzheimers and is to the point that he is loosing muscle control so bathing and bathroom duties must be taken care of in bed. Aunt is getting close to 80 and though she is quite active and healthy the constant care is taking it's toll on her. She finally made the decision recently to put him into a nursing home where he can receive 24 hour care and watch. Unfortunately the nearest nursing home which does not have a long waiting list for his particular needs is over an hour drive one way. This has made her decision/situation all that more difficult. She has applied for hospice care, gotten help several nights a week for someone to watch him (since he hardly sleeps anymore) and managed a "adult day care" situation 3 days a week.

I found a free hospital bed on freecycle (thanks to someone here I found those groups) and contacted the people about the bed. I explained my Aunt's situation and her needs to have a bed without controls easly accessible. Uncle is still able to use his hands somewhat and can be quite destructive if he gets ahold of something small that he can dismantle. They were quite understanding. I gave their number to my Aunt who called them. In the end they adamantly refused any payment, drove an hour and a half hauling the bed, so that she could see it. They planned to take it elseware to donate if it would be a hazard to her but it was not. So they proceeded, with our pastors help, to remove her old bed to the garage and set up the new one completely for her. She was dazzled by their generosity and kindness for a stranger.

Aunt called me the next day to say that this was the first night in a while that Uncle had not attempted to get out of bed. The bed has side rails and seems to deter him. He has fallen MANY times because he was trying to get out of bed. At least this way if he makes the attempt he will have rails to help support him.

I was amazed by this couples kindness and just had to share this story.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Elphaba

Thank you for sharing that. What wonderful people.

maleficent

It's nice to know that people like that still exist in the world...

I've seen a lot of generosity on freecycle, so that really doesn't phase me, but in freecycle, when people give stuff away, it's more like "hey i'll leave it at the curb you want it come get it..." The fact that they went out of their way as they did... is amazing... Kudos to them for going the extra several miles.

__________________

Psycho Dad

I've always held that there are indeed good people in the world willing to do good things for others. The reason we forget they are there I think is that we tend to talk more about what is wrong rather than appreciating the good. Thank you for sharing.

__________________
Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

Daoust

I am going to learn more of this freecycle org. Sounds neat.

__________________
I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace
But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys

maleficent

Freecycle is basically a place for you to get rid of crap that you no longer want... If you've cleaned out a closet and come across a bag of 1970s lime green leisure suits, post 'em - - people will take them.. It's a mailing list where people can post to get rid of stuff and if someone wants what they are getting rid of -- they make arrangements to go get it. No money is allowed to change hands... (there are a few unsavory types who will take whatever is being offered and then resell it on ebay or elsewhere but tehy are pretty easy to spot...

__________________

snowy

That's a really lovely story, raeanna. Thank you for sharing. Certainly brightened my day.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau