Day 4 - Dusting off the files...

I have an elderly neighbor/friend who I try and help out whenever I am able. I often give her rides or pick up her veggies from the CSA. Well, over Thanksgiving weekend she fell - again - and broke her shoulder. Of course, this renders her unable to take care of her daily needs. Time to pull out the big guns by dusting off the files I have gathered through the years. Having gone through a major illness myself I was aware of many community recources. I told her I would start calling around to get the ball rolling as she would clearly need homecare, rides, etc. I assured her that she is not alone, to try to keep the faith and I will do what I can to help. She was quite relieved. I often wonder why there is not a job called "independent patient advocate" or maybe just "independent advocate" to help people during various crisis in their lives?! Why do we each need to re-invent the wheel each time we are faced with a set back? I think what is upsetting her even more is the scheduled trip to California that she now has to cancel. Well, anyway, I was more than happy to help & I can tell that it encouraged her on.