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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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Sometimes we do not realize the full
effects of aging until we experience it ourselves. People become so
accustomed to their lifestyles that change seems impossible. This idea
applies not only to the money and goods that we generate, but also to our
physical capacities. One senior in our program,
68-year-old Judith, faces
a harsh reality every day. Once very athletic and active in her life, Judith
now struggles with her everyday chores and with finding a way to make ends
meet. Fortunately, with the help of her caseworker at DuPage County, she was
able to find the Humanitarian Service Project. Now, Judith receives a
monthly grocery delivery containing five selections of fresh fruit, six
selections of fresh vegetables, seven varieties of frozen meat, fresh bread,
paper products, and Secret Pal gifts. We would like to take this opportunity
to share with you some information on her life.
Judith has lived in and
around Wheaton almost her entire life, spending only a few years residing in
North Carolina. She has two brothers and a sister, but has very little
contact with any of them, as they live far from her home. Sadly, her one son
also moved out of state recently, greatly limiting any contact with his mother.
Fortunately, she is not completely void of human contact, as she regularly
visits with her friends who she has known since grade school.
Judith
deals with a variety of
physical ailments. She has high blood pressure, arthritis throughout her
body, has had two heart attacks, and recently had gallbladder surgery to
attempt to end the problems she had been having with it for years. Sadly,
all of these ailments have limited Judith’s mobility to a point that has
greatly changed her life. She used to enjoy playing a vigorous game of
baseball or bowling, but can
now no longer bear the pain that these cause. Even
her hobby of gardening has been eliminated due to her health. With an income
of only $610 per month, with $455
a month being
applied towards rent, there is not much left over for other necessities and
the
maintenance of her trailer.
Thankfully, Judith has
not given up on life. She prays frequently, and, despite all of the
obstacles she faces, she believes her prayers are answered. Although she
cannot continue with all of her hobbies, she still enjoys jigsaw puzzles,
reading, and watching A & E and Animal Planet on television. She can no
longer play the sports she loves, but she remains a Chicago Cubs and Chicago
Bears fan through and through. At times, she feels overwhelmed as the stress
becomes unbearable, but she is still able to turn to these positive aspects
of her life for a boost. Now, Judith can look forward to her monthly
delivery of groceries from HSP as a sign that there are good things and good
people in this world.
Things to Remember about Judith:
• Judith’s birthday is January 12, 1940.
• She enjoys Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts novels.
• She is a Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.
• Her income is $610/month.
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