Your gift helps seniors when they need it most!

Your gift today has the power to transform a senior's life. Meet Tim, who has worked hard his entire life. He grew up on a farm in Georgia, growing and harvesting corn, peanuts, and tobacco.  He raised pigs and goats alongside his adoptive parents. As an adult, he moved to Virginia and started his own business doing painting, carpentry, and construction. He enjoyed his independence and spent his free time fishing and camping. 

Two years ago, Tim began experiencing pain and soreness in his legs. To alleviate the discomfort, he began soaking his feet in water after a long day at work. One evening, after soaking his feet he developed severe blisters and was unable to walk. He went to the hospital where he learned he had severely burned his feet and was ultimately diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy. 

Initially, the doctors told him his feet would heal but that he might lose a toe on one foot. Sadly, his entire foot became infected down to the bone which led to having his foot and part of his leg amputated. 

After being released from the hospital, Tim went to a rehab facility in Alexandria and then a nursing home. With only social security and assistance from Medicare and Medicaid to cover his health care costs, Tim began working with the insurance coordinator at the nursing home who helped him find and apply to live at Culpepper Garden’s Assisted Living. 

Tim is settling into his new home and has already made many friends. He uses a wheelchair to get around, but he doesn’t let that stop him from being active. He makes his way around the neighborhood traveling to the nearby international food market and pharmacy. He looks forward to growing vegetables and flowers in the assisted living garden. Tim is man­aging his health and dai­ly liv­ing with the help of aides and Assisted Living staff who work togeth­er to support him in reaching his health goals. 

This sup­port is even more crit­i­cal as Tim has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. At age 64, Tim could be discouraged but he instead tries to keep his thoughts positive and find ways to stay motivated.  Tim’s greatest wish is to walk again and to beat cancer. As he proclaims, “When I go fishing again, I need to be walking.” Thanks to the sup­port Tim has received here at Culpepper Garden, he has a community to care for and assist him through his difficult journey. 

Tim was fortunate to find a home at Culpepper Garden with subsidy to help pay for his cost of care. However, Culpepper Garden has 73 units and a waiting list of low-income older adults, who like Tim desperately need housing, services, and a range of care options to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Your gift on Giving Tuesday will ensure that an increasing number of older adults with limited financial means have access to quality housing and assisted living care regardless of their ability to pay.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support.