October 3, 2008

Dealing with a terminally ill child as a single parent

I work for a hospice company. There are alot of things that go on in our office everyday. You don't really get use to it, I think you become numb. However, I heard something recently that broke my heart. We have a four year old girl on our service that was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The best prognosis for her is two months. Her mother is racked with concerns on a daily basis. Will she make this month’s rent or be kicked out of her apartment? Which bill collectors will call her today? Will her daughter live through the night? The thing that made this story hit home is that she is a single mother dealing with more issues and problems than any mother (or person for that matter) should every have to go thru in a lifetime. Shortly after Aisys’s father found out about her brain cancer, he left the family and hasn’t returned or paid child support since.

By working graveyard shifts as co-manager at a fast food restaurant, she's been able to hold on to her three-bedroom home until last month’s foreclosure. On Monday, she was fired. She also cares for her 80-year-old mother, a 3-year-old son, and 6-year-old daughter. How does someone cope with all of this on their own? Our company recently gave Aisys a party for her 4th birthday, but because of her tumor, she was unable to even smile. The local paper ran an article about her story and set up a foundation to help. I wonder if it will come in time? Alot of us face trials in our lives. Sometimes they pass quickly, other times it takes a while be we grow from the experience and become stronger. What would you do in her shoes? I heard the company she worked for fired her because she couldn't seem to leave her family problems at home. Gee, ya think? What kind of person would fire a single mother with a terminally ill child and be able to sleep at night? I believe the good Lord never gives you more than you can handle. He must think this woman has shoulders a mile wide to be able to withstand so much. As a single mother, thinking back at all of the things I have endured, it didn't even come close. They have set up a foundation to help. If any of you are interested in contributing, you can e-mail me and I will give you the foundation information thru Bank of America. Now, go hug your kids and be thankful for what you have. Remember, it could always be worse.

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