Tammy is originally from Minnesota however she and her daughter Kuirsten, have been living in Dallas for about 5 years. Tammy suffers from spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal, something she has dealt with for years.
In January she had surgery and has been a quadriplegic ever since. She has spent this time going between an extended care facility and the hospital.
In February her daughter who has some mild disabilities went to Minnesota to live with her aunt Roxann, Tammy’s sister. Tammy has become very depressed and somewhat despondent over the course of time, being separated from her family. Roxann called us and asked if we could help to get her sister home. After a few roadblocks the day has finally come. As we enter Tammy’s room the staff is very attentive.
She looks older than her age of 58. She is a small lady, her hair is thin and graying and in her eyes I see both sadness and frustration. She has a tracheostomy and a tube in her belly by which she is fed.
Unable to move her arms and legs and do even simple things for herself. She barely glances up at us as we move her over. We explain that we will be taking her back home to Minnesota.
Back at the airport Hal prays over her prior to take-off in the Dallas heat. She actually did remarkably well during her flight. She rested her eyes only a short time but she seemed very comfortable and content, even looking out of her window occasionally. She had a sense of calming peace about her.
We arrived to an even hotter Minnesota at 99 degrees as we made our journey to where she will now be staying. I phoned Roxann to let her know we were on the ground and enroute. She said she that they would be there waiting. We were greeted warmly by the receptionist as we entered. As the elevator door opened to take us up, out stepped Roxann and Kuirsten, they had just been up to see where Tammy’s new room would be.
We invited them to ride up with us as we made room on the elevator for everyone. Kuirsten was so excited to see her mom. Both she and Roxann’s smiles were priceless. They were each wearing smiles of joy and relief.
As Kuirsten walked over to kiss her mom’s cheek I even saw a spark in Tammy’s eyes. She stayed close to her mom’s side excitedly telling her how they would hopefully soon be able to get her up in a wheelchair and take her outside. Her excitement was infectious.
We handed them the cross, bible and book that each patient and their family receive and they joined us in prayer.
Please pray particularly for Tammy’s depression and that this move near her family will give will and purpose.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-53
I DECLARE TO YOU, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THAT FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD, NOR DOES THE PERISHABLE INHERIT THE IMPERISHABLE. LISTEN, I TELL YOU A MYSTERY: WE WILL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE WILL ALL BE CHANGED–IN A FLASH, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. FOR THE TRUMPET WILL SOUND, THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED IMPERISHABLE, AND WE WILL BE CHANGED. FOR THE PERISHABLE MUST CLOTHE ITSELF WITH THE IMPERISHABLE, AND THE MORTAL WITH IMMORTALITY.
Thank you to Hal and Chris for sharing this mission with me. Blessings,
Shelli Engle RN
PLANE FUN FACT:
Howdy Homemade …….We discovered this wonderful ice cream shop in Dallas where all of the ice cream is homemade.Their specialty is ” Dr. Pepper chocolate chip.” Don’t get me wrong the ice cream alone is reason enough to stop in but the real draw are the people. The owner works with numerous special needs organizations to hire, train and employee people with Down Syndrome and Autism. A great example is the stores VP Coleman Jones. He is an Eagle Scout and has also been nominated for Texan of the Year, just to name a few of his accolades. The ” Howdy ” name is a tribute to Gene Stallings, Bear Bryant and every underdog out there. At Howdy’s they hope to change the way the world thinks of “everyone”. They see ” abilities ” and shouldn’t we all. I highly recommend adding it to your “bucket list” when in Dallas.
