In America, 795,000 people experience a stroke each year — which means every forty seconds, someone experiences a stroke and may be instantly stricken with the debilitating after-effects.1
Annie, like so many others, experienced a stroke that rendered one side of her body unusable. Living alone, and with little family in the Rappahannock region, she was left with few options for getting around. She was isolated.
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHAF) wanted to help.
Through the Senior Visitors Program, MHAF was able to match this isolated senior citizen with a volunteer who would change her life forever.
Liz was always active in the community, volunteering for outreach projects, and taking part in the annual Senior Visitors walk. After being approved as a senior visitor, and taking a Saturday volunteer orientation, Liz was quickly matched with Annie as a visiting friend.
They became fast friends, grabbing lunch or running errands once a week. One afternoon, Liz invited Annie to volunteer with her in a community outreach project. After her stroke, Annie never expected to be a part of Fredericksburg life again – much less contribute her time to others that needed help. She couldn’t wait to get out and give back to others.
Now, these two amazing women volunteer together – spending their weekly visits helping the community. They even join in the Senior Visitors walk each year – Annie in a wheelchair and Liz gladly pushing her along.
Annie would never have had the opportunity to serve others without the dedication and help of her visiting friend. Since meeting Liz, she feels like her family has been extended. Not only does she have a friend and “sister” in Liz, she can invite those she serves each week into her family – her extended family.
To extend your family and become a senior visitor, check out our volunteer application.
Or, read more stories about the people that have been changed through our Senior Visitors Program.
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