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7 selections of fresh vegetables
6 selections of
fresh fruits
7 varieties of
frozen meats
5 bags of
non-perishables
1 bag of paper
products and personal care items
Gifts from a Secret Pal
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When you have been alive in 8 different
decades, you have no doubt experienced a lot. The world that we all call
home has changed dramatically since the 1930s. And so have the lives of
those who have aged through all of the world’s major events. For Jeanne, 71,
and Ester, 77, recent additions to the Senior Citizen Project, the passing
of time has brought on changes that they had not hoped for. The two had sunk
into an environment where skipping meals was the norm and using their car
was dependent upon whether they could afford gas that month.
As you are well aware,
our mission is to help seniors in poverty throughout DuPage and Kane
counties. Here at HSP we see the first hand effects of crushing poverty
every day. Whenever we talk to one of our 115 seniors, many of them share
what’s been going on in their lives. Some being good and some being very
sad. Our hearts always go out to them. Many times we wonder just how they
can get by with so many illnesses and financial troubles creating
frustration and worry which always takes a high toll on them. For too many,
sharing their stress of not being able to purchase the things they need is
compounded simply by being old. Despite these challenges, some of our
seniors always seem to find something cheery to talk about in their lives.
Many are very strong and courageous. They face each day with a smile,
feeling grateful and counting the few blessings they have. It is an
inspiration for us to see their warm spirits remain positive in the face of
difficult adversities.
Jeanne met Ester, whom
she calls Dan, 32 years ago. Ester was living in Clinton, LA, where he was
born and where he lived during his first marriage of 16 years, but had
stopped on a trip in Illinois to visit friends. During his stay he decided
that he liked the area, found employment, and settled in. Jeanne, born in
Aurora, had been single for 10 years and was raising her three children all
alone. One Sunday at a church in Wheaton, Ester’s gaze fell on Jeanne and
they began a new chapter in their lives. Between them, they have 7 children,
17 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, some who live in the
Chicagoland area and some who are scattered about the southern U.S. Sadly,
even with a family of that size, Jeanne and Ester are very much alone,
receiving no financial help and being in limited contact with family
members. She said, “They all forget about their parents when they get
older.”
Jeanne began working a
part-time position in Chicago in 1986. At age 62, she retired with
disability. Ester spent most of his working years as a general employee
earning minimum wage. Shortly after retirement in the late 1990s, the couple
found that they could not keep up with the financial and physical costs of
keeping a home. Jeanne’s disability had been cut off and they moved to Glen
Ellyn. Yet once again the couple has to face the harsh reality of living on
a fixed income. This month, Jeanne and Ester will be returning to Wheaton
where they have qualified for subsidized senior housing.
It has not just been the finances that have changed with time. Like most
people their age, both Jeanne and Ester have health concerns that have
required medications and surgeries. Ester had his hip replaced 5 years ago
and continues to take Tylenol for the pain that it and his arthritis
sometimes cause. He also suffers from, poor ambulation, headaches, and has
poor hearing but cannot afford hearing aids. Jeanne has been plagued by
heart problems, poor ambulation, arthritis, high blood pressure, hernia, bad
knees (has had one surgery), and epileptic seizures. She is currently taking
7 medications and has been advised to have surgery on her other knee but
said the first one “took the wind out of her.” Her seizures started in 1963
after she started taking birth control. Now she said that the seizures are
unpredictable and can come in waves.
The couple enjoys their
time with each other, going out for coffee in the mornings or, when they can
afford gas and a few extra dollars, sandwiches at lunch time. They said that
they do not get out much but do manage weekly visits with a close friend in
Wheaton. Ester prefers being at home, where he watches TV or reads the
Bible. Jeanne is in her own words, “a crossword puzzle fanatic” and watches
quiz shows like Jeopardy.
Before being enrolled in
the Senior Citizen Project, Jeanne and Ester often had to skip meals because
most of their income was immediately spent on rent and medical expenses. The
couple has a monthly income of $1336. Rent is $750, medications are $133,
and car insurance is $160, leaving very little to cover gas, groceries and
other living expenses. Now, because of your sponsorship, Jeanne and Ester
can rest knowing that they will always have a monthly delivery of healthy
food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, frozen meats, and
non-perishables. In addition, the couple knows that they will receive paper
products and other personal care items. We are happy to have Jeanne and
Ester in the HSP family and we are confident that, together, we can help
them get through these difficult times in their life!
Things to Remember about Jeanne and Ester:
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Her birthday is October 9, 1935; she will be 72.
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His birthday is March 29, 1929; he will be 78.
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Their monthly income is $1336.
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She loves crossword puzzles.
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Her favorite colors are blue and her favorite
flower is the pink rose.
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He enjoys reading the Bible.
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