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Independent and connected
 Senior
empowered to remain at home after career-ending injury.
Three years ago, Bonnie sustained crushed back vertebra in a work
related injury, leaving her housebound and jobless. She didn’t know it
at the time, but the injury would permanently keep her from working.
Without an income to pay for property taxes on her home of 10 years,
she was at risk of losing it to repossession—even though it was
completely paid for.
To make matters worse, Bonnie’s house was in the middle of being
painted, and the painters would not finish the job unless she could pay
them. Bonnie had no one to turn to and didn’t know what to do.
Neighbors Reach Out
Some of Bonnie’s neighbors decided to contact Neighborhood
Connection, a United Way funded program, at Senior Services, Inc. of
Wichita.
Neighborhood Connection helped Bonnie get a reverse mortgage on her
house. (A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not
have to pay back as long as you live in it, or until you sell it.) As a
result, Bonnie was able to pay her taxes and make a number of badly
needed repairs to her home.
Even though much of Bonnie’s financial burden had been relieved, it
became apparent that she needed more assistance in order to remain
living at home.
Neighborhood Connection helped Bonnie get in touch with people in her
area. She has developed friendships with many of them, including some in
similar situations to her own. Bonnie says the entire neighborhood
has become mindful of one another.
“We don’t have a neighborhood watch, but we sure watch out for each
other.”
Even with the support of her neighbors, some of the everyday tasks
had become too difficult for Bonnie after her injury. Two other
United Way funded programs at Senior Services provided her with added
help.
Meals on Wheels delivered already prepared meals to Bonnie’s door
every day while she wasn’t able to stand and cook for herself.
Once back on her feet, Roving Pantry began assisting by delivering
groceries to her house. Roving Pantry still delivers groceries to Bonnie
every Friday.
Free to Give Back
With all the support she has been given, Bonnie feels free again. So
free, in fact, that she regularly gives back to those who have helped
her.
Bonnie regularly makes telephone reassurance calls to homebound
seniors. At one point, she crocheted twenty afghans for other
needy seniors. Most recently, she held a garage sale and donated
the proceeds to Neighborhood Connection.
“I think the key is to give back what you can,” said Bonnie.
A Thankful Heart
She says she is thankful for everything Neighborhood Connection and
United Way have done for her life.
“It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning. I
am so grateful.”
Many people are grateful for Bonnie.
See column at right to find out
more about how your support of United Way of the
Plains is helping our community. More Stories:
click here. |
Assisting the Elderly
Issue: Homebound seniors are, in many cases,
disconnected from the community and need support to maintain
independence.
United Way Actions: United Way partners with
programs like those at Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita that help the
elderly continue to live functionally and assist with daily tasks such
as grocery shopping and yard work.
Results: The elderly are empowered to remain in
their place of residence and maintain free and independent lives.
United Way impacts issues that matter:
For more information:
See other programs funded in the above impact areas by clicking above. |
