MIRACLE SPOTLIGHT

Photo:  Julia Freeman Woolpert, NH, USA

Submitted by: Sandy Barrick, Utah, USA

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2000, which explained some of the unusual behaviors (for him) that he had been exhibiting for the previous two years. Don’t get me wrong, it has been a hard road, but we have received so many miracles during that time.

One that was so exciting for me was “The Chair” episode. In 2006, my husband was no longer able to get out of his chair by himself and I thought an electric chair, to help lift him out, would be a huge help. The other option I faced was placing him in a nursing home; so seeking the chair option was far more favorable to me.

He was on Hospice and I asked the staff if they had any available chairs to which they shook their heads. Unfortunately, I was not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid assistance so I felt alone in my dilemma. I so desperately wanted to stay close to my husband and continue living the rest of our lives as a couple very much in love and happy to finish our journey together.

I started looking on the Internet for a chair that represented so much freedom for my husband and I but was discouraged to see the expense still hovering over me. After so many years of my husband's illness we were low on funds as would be expected.

I was in a terrible dilemma because I was not strong enough to lift him and I didn’t want to put him in a nursing home. How could I give up my soul mate when we are both still capable of living together! This was an emotional time for me; my heart ached and there were no signs of relief.

If there was to be some sort of a miracle, now was the time because I didn't want to lose my husband. Thursday, a day I will never forget, was the day that summoned the miracle only after my hope was stifled with those Internet prices. A family meeting was scheduled for the next day at the Hospice office and some serious decisions were to be made. I wasn't looking forward to the outcome.

Miracles have a tendency to show up at the final hour; Thursday was that final hour. Upon entering the Hospice office, one of the girls asked if I was the one asking about an electric chair. Those words grabbed my heart because the sentence was not to end there, and so neither could my hope. I leaned on those words ready to hear more.. She said an electric chair had been donated that very day and we could use it as long as we would like. To add to my astonishment there were some finishing touches to this amazing blessing! The chair was the same color as the set of recliners we had in our bedroom and looked brand new.

It has been a huge blessing in our lives ever since. My dear husband was able to stay home a lot longer where we could enjoy making more special memories together. Today, he is now in a care center, but we are both better prepared after having had more time to be nourished together.

What happened to the chair? It is still by his side and reminds him of his independence and the miracle of our love. I believe miracles come from a Father in Heaven who loves us and knows our needs to the finest detail.