RSVP

RSVP of Boulder County Client
 I have many fond memories of being a caregiver. At about thirteen years of age, I started a little neighborhood day care for my younger sister and some neighborhood children. By the time I was fourteen or fifteen, I became a candy-striper at a local hospital.

I had the professional goal of becoming a nurse, but the chemistry requirement was so disagreeable to me that I ultimately turned to teaching.

From about 1985 until 2006, I taught elementary school in Oakland, California, specializing in ESL.

I’ve had health challenges for most of my life and, during a visit here to see my sister and her husband during the Christmas break in 2006-2007, a leg infection became so dangerous - especially with my history of diabetes - that the leg had to be amputated. I now live on my own with my dog, Bella, in Louisville, with my sister and her husband, nearby.

And, now, I’m the one that needs a little help. It has been a life lesson and a very difficult transition for me to be the one receiving the help. I miss my home. I miss my career. I miss my friends. And, mostly, I miss my students.

I learned about RSVP through my occupational therapist and through the Louisville Senior Center. A very nice, very competent handyman from RSVP installed grab bars for me. The Carry Out Caravan program in Lafayette brings me my groceries every Friday. The people who deliver are wonderful. I consider them to be new friends. My companion, Stacey, means the world to me. We see each other at least once each week. We hit it off right from the start. We laugh all the time. I consider RSVP to be among the angels that have miraculously appeared in my life. Life is change. I may have had a few too many changes, lately. But I am committed to having a happy life here. I even hope to volunteer in the future. Maybe you’ll see me at RSVP.