2009 CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS CONTEST
Do you know a selfless caregiver who needs some much overdue pampering?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are more than 50 million people who take on the responsibility of caring for a chronically ill, disabled or elderly family member or friend. And while being able to assist a loved one in their time of need can be incredibly fulfilling, it can also be very demanding and tiring work. Every year, November is designated as National Family Caregivers Month. It is meant to be a time for us to thank, celebrate and support our caregivers. In recognition of these many selfless individuals, Spa Gregorie’s is teaming up with Cox Communications to host a Caring for Caregivers Contest where a lucky winner will receive a one-hour massage and Spa Gregorie's Ultimate Signature Facial.
Family and friends are invited to nominate outstanding caregivers online. If you would like to participate in the Caring for Caregivers Contest and honor a devoted caregiver who could use a soothing spa treatment, click the link below and send Spa Gregorie’s a one-page description of who you are nominating and why. Show a caregiver your love and support and nominate them today.
Spa Gregorie's offers a collection of relaxing, rejuvenating, and healing therapies. Visit http://spagregories.com/treat.shtml to learn more about all of the soothing services Spa Gregorie’s offers.
Thank you for voting - we are currently reading the entries and the winners will be announced the week of November 23rd, please check back soon!
Click here to view the 2008 winners and nominees!
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2009 CAREGIVER WINNERS
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Winner:
Caregiver: Sue Patterson
Nominated by: Maria Delis
Nomination: My dear sweet-loving angel Sue. I would like to nominate Sue for the caregivers contest for all she did for me during my breast cancer treatment this year! I am a 43 year old single mom. I found a lump in my breast on Mother's day and by Memorial day weekend it was confirmed Stage I Invasive carcinoma. The treatment plan was surgery, chemo, and radiation all starting immediately. The day I called Sue she told me she was sitting in her car saying a Rosary, then she said to me, "I am here for you Maria, I am not leaving your side.... We are going to fight this!" And she did just that. She coordinated an email distribution list to my friends for over 20 meals, all my doctors appointments, and visits throughout the entire Summer. I was so sick and fatigued from the chemo treatments I couldn't think of a thing. She made sure my son was taken care of, and would have the food delivered that he liked. On Sundays, a week post chemo she would come and take me for a ride to the harbor or Laguna Beach to walk and talk.
Sue showed up to walk with our team at the Race for the Cure on Sept. 27th. When I crossed that finish line I hugged her and we just cried. She was right she has not left my side, and we are fighting this fight with major success!
Sue is also a single mom, she works full time, and takes care of everyone else before herself. I would love for her to experience this great gift. I know she will love Spa Gregorie's, as a previous customer I can speak from personal experience. Thank you. God bless all the caregivers
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2009 CAREGIVER NOMINEES
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Caregivers Name: Judy Beurhle
Nomination: My friend Judy has a friend, Ingrid, who has had cancer for many years. After fighting the good fight Ingrid needed more attention and a safe, calm place to stay while her husband ran the business. Judy has taken Ingrid into her home where she resides with her husband and 18 year old son. Judy cares for Ingrid day and night, driving her to doctor appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores and anywhere else Ingrid wants to go. The hospice has visited to prescribe pain medication as, according to Ingrid's Dr., she doesn't have much longer and they can only make her comfortable. Although this is very stressful and sad for Judy, she has never asked for recognition and she will be there for her friend until the end. This is above and beyond friendship. This is humanitarian.
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Caregivers Name: Margie Lopez
Nomination: Mary has been dealing with a rare disease for the last 5 years that causes the deterioration of her spinal chord. As a result she can't walk, talk well, write, etc. Margie cares for Mary at 7 Seas a board and care in Dana Point. Without Margie, Mary states that should would be lost. Margie goes about and beyond her duties on a daily basis. Margie helps Mary shower, gets her dressed, lays her clothes out for her, helps her put her makeup on, etc. Mary stated that before Margie started helping her, it was hard to keep clean, which is something that is very important to Mary. Now that Margie is taking care of Mary, Mary says "she keeps me so clean, I can't stand it." Margie knows that Mary likes to look good when going out and never lets Mary leave without makeup, and always takes the time to help Mary put the makeup on. One thing that Mary is especially grateful for, is that Margie will take Mary to the grocery store to pick up treats. The treats make her feel better and are an important part of her life. She also is especially grateful that Margie will provide her with the morning paper. Without the paper, Mary wouldn't be able to stay on top of things going on in the world, and that is very important to her. Mary could not stress enough how wonderful Margie is. We closed our conversation with Mary once again stating, "Without Margie, I would be lost."
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Caregivers Name: Feza Duchaine
Nomination: Zadie, our first child, was born in April 2007, and despite a few days in the NICU and a hearing impairment in one ear, we thought that she was doing fine when we brought her home. However, Zadie was unalert much of the time and she had great difficulty nursing. These problems though didn't faze my wife Feza and she worked extremely hard to connect with Zadie and to get her to nurse. Unfortunately we kept noticing more problems, and at four months, we received heart-breaking news. Zadie was diagnosed with severe microcephaly, a condition defined by poor brain growth. We were absolutely devastated and the news was hardest on Feza because she loves Zadie so much. An MRI showed that Zadie's cerebellum is 20% of its normal size, and her development suggests she'll never walk, talk, or provide basic care for herself.
We grew to accept Zadie's condition, but daily living was extremely stressful, particularly feeding. Despite Feza's extraordinary efforts, Zadie was only getting three ounces of milk per day. Doctors eventually convinced us to insert a feeding tube that would allow us to provide Zadie with liquid directly into her stomach. The surgery was successfully carried out in December 2008. However soon afterward, Zadie began having epileptic seizures. She has daily seizures and her clusters can last an hour. Since they began, Zadie's already severely limited development has regressed and she now has trouble even holding her head up. The seizures are very hard on Feza. It's painful to watch your child convulsing, and Zadie has seizures at night so Feza rarely gets decent sleep. Zadie is currently being treated with four anti-convulsants and the ketogenic diet, so Feza must constantly monitor and give Zadie her medications.
What makes Feza's caregiving particularly difficult is that she and Zadie are in Huntington Beach and I'm in London. I'm a professor in neuroscience, but few universities are hiring. Feza and Zadie moved to her parents' home in Huntington in March 2008 because California has (had?) some of the best programs in the world for children with developmental disabilities. Zadie has benefited from therapy and the excellent care she's received during her frequent stays in Kaiser Lakeview, but it's very tough for Feza to provide care for Zadie alone.
I'm sure you'll receive nominations for many deserving caregivers, but if Feza is selected, you'll certainly be choosing someone who could really use some pampering.
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Caregivers Name: Sue Patterson
Nomination: My dear sweet-loving angel Sue. I would like to nominate Sue for the caregivers contest for all she did for me during my breast cancer treatment this year! I am a 43 year old single mom. I found a lump in my breast on Mother's day and by Memorial day weekend it was confirmed Stage I Invasive carcinoma. The treatment plan was surgery, chemo, and radiation all starting immediately. The day I called Sue she told me she was sitting in her car saying a Rosary, then she said to me, "I am here for you Maria, I am not leaving your side.... We are going to fight this!" And she did just that. She coordinated an email distribution list to my friends for over 20 meals, all my doctors appointments, and visits throughout the entire Summer. I was so sick and fatigued from the chemo treatments I couldn't think of a thing. She made sure my son was taken care of, and would have the food delivered that he liked. On Sundays, a week post chemo she would come and take me for a ride to the harbor or Laguna Beach to walk and talk.
Sue showed up to walk with our team at the Race for the Cure on Sept. 27th. When I crossed that finish line I hugged her and we just cried. She was right she has not left my side, and we are fighting this fight with major success!
Sue is also a single mom, she works full time, and takes care of everyone else before herself. I would love for her to experience this great gift. I know she will love Spa Gregorie's, as a previous customer I can speak from personal experience. Thank you. God bless all the caregivers
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Caregivers Name: Vicky Wheeler
Nomination: this person deserves to be nominated because they are selfless and always think of others first and has not a relaxing day since i was born she is 41 and is always helping others she has had stressful days always she has seizures and they r triggered my rosemary and sage as well as flashing lights and stress she has had them since she was 7 and i don't know anyone that deserves this more than her
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Caregivers Name: Valerie Horton
Nomination: I am not very good at writing, so I will do the best I can. My little sister Valerie, my friend, my mother’s youngest daughter, and caregiver.
We almost lost our mom after she had gall bladder surgery, and a mass removed from her adrenal gland. Mom went from ICU at the hospital after surgery to a skilled nursing facility. Due to lack of care and bad nursing my mother was left in a bed all day long. We were told they did not have the staff to take her to the rest room. And so she was left un-attended day in, and day out. She contracted a very bad infection that sent her back to the emergency room. And back to another skilled nursing home to contract Sepsis which landed her back in the ICU where we almost lost our mom. My mother still has not recovered after 3 months in and out of hospitals and this was a year and half ago. Valerie and I stayed with mom night and day for two weeks after she got out of the hospital. Our brother and his wife came out for 3 months and stayed with mom so we could have a break. To this day my sister drives to moms house at least 4 times a week and more if needed and once on the week end. We try to share in the care of mom. Valerie can handle any thing that comes across her plate with such professionalism and grace. She can come across very stern when needed, and also be so loving to anyone in need. She has always been there for everyone in our family 101% if you say help she says when and where. She takes mom to her doctors, grocery shopping, does her laundry, gets her meds ready weekly for her, and helps anyone else when she can. She doesn't ask for anything from anyone. She lives on her own with her 3 little yorkies. She turns 50 on 10/18/09 and I was trying to think of something special to do for her. I came across your gift cards at the grocery store, and found your website.
My little sister is my rock,and also for mom, but for all her 5 other siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She doesn't show her emotions at all. When my dad was ill the last two months of his life she was with him as much as she could and still work 40 to 50 hours a week. She doesn't do anything for herself in fear that my mom may need something.
We lost our young nephew to a horrible motorcycle accident in Feb. of this year. Valerie was very close to Michael and yet she was still able to help so many others when she was going through one of the worst times in her life. She is selfless, kind, giving, caring and loving. I don't know what I would do without my little sister. Just meet her and you will agree she is as special as can be.
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Caregivers Name: Reggie
Nomination: i would like to nominate my uncle reggie. because Reggie has made choices in his life and career that set him on the path to the greatest caregiver ever! he has a winning attitude and a colorful personality. my uncle put his dreams on hold to care for our great grand mother. He moved in during her last days. and has really committed himself to service in a very un selfish manner. my uncle he works full time in the cancer center for ucsd. he is a returning student working on his literary arts degree.He has been in an award winning play Dream Girls. he needs a chance to relax so he can follow his dreams getting back to performing
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Caregivers Name: Carol Powell
Nomination: Myself. I am the Enrollment Director for a global training company. We currently have thousands of students around the world, for whom I constantly love, support, and empower. This is my life's work, and I love what I do. However, I keep giving to others and don't take care of myself. I seriously need to be loved, taken care of, and healed. I am a certified rebirther, so I have supported so many people to deep healing...and many times have saved their lives. Any gift you could provide in my life would be so hugely appreciated. Thank you so much! Warmly...and with great love!
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Caregivers Name: Nancy Khoo
Nomination: Nancy left her country,50 years ago, at age 19 to look after her cousin's new baby. She moved with this family from England to the U.S., raising her cousin's children and eventually becoming a medical assistant in her cousin's husband's practice. She cared for countless patients during her working life, 1972-2003. Upon her retirement, she continued to look after both her cousin, her ex-boss, and the grandchildren. She is universally adored as the maiden aunt whose selflessness and devotion was never more apparent as she became the de facto "mother", upon the death of her cousin's husband. Today, at age 69, she has become the full time caregiver of her cousin, who has Dementia, as well as her grand nieces and nephews. She is untiring, always optimistic and courageous, as she now faces the prospect of having surgery for a parathyroid tumor. To all whose lives have been graced by her kindness, she is simply Nancy.
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Caregivers Name: Judy Ober
Nomination: In 1997, Ray Ober experienced a devastating stroke that left him wheelchair bound and with very little cognitive ability. His wife of 52 years, Judy Ober, has cared for him since then in their family home. With few financial resources, she works just enough as a CPA in order to meet their needs. Every other single minute she tends to him. She needs a knee replacement and won't have the surgery because she couldn't take care of him during recovery. Before the stroke, he loved gambling; she takes him to Pechanga Casino so he can try to play cards; she takes him to movies, out for dinners, visits to their grown children. Yet, he is basically immobile, unable to communicate except in a very limited way. All this once-strapping 200 pound gorgeous man can say clearly is one word "Judy". That wraps up why she should be your Caregiver of the year.
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