A Little Known Organization That Has My Eternal Gratitude
Written: Jun 17 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Extraordinary level of truly loving care and compassion
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: This is the most deserving of organizations. It renders unparalleled comfort, compassion, and service to the terminally ill and their families.
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| rich2003dm's Full Review: Charity Organizations |
It was twenty years ago in mid-May that my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
As you would expect, my family was devastated by the news. Our sadness and confusion were exacerbated by the hospital’s ultimatum that we find a home for my father within a week to free up his bed, since he was beyond their help.
At the time, there were many nursing homes in New York City willing to take him in for the last weeks of his life. However, money was an issue. My father was a blue- collar guy. He worked hard for fifty years, but unfortunately had little to show for it at the end. My brother and I were certainly willing to contribute, but with new families of our own and at a stage where we were not yet advanced in our careers, our resources were limited.
It was a very difficult time. Attempting to cope with the imminent loss of a beloved father and faced with the daunting task of quickly finding a suitable and affordable home that would make his last days as comfortable as possible, we were frightened and confused.
A friend who suffered through a similar situation suggested we contact St. Rose’s Home at 71 Jackson Street in Manhattan.
St. Rose’s is a home that accepts only terminally ill patients. It is operated by the Catholic Church, but its doors are open to anyone regardless of religion.
It is a small home with a very limited number of beds. They employ no heroic measures to prolong the lives of their guests. But they go to great lengths to insure that those unfortunate enough to require their services spend their remaining days in comfort and with dignity.
It’s the little things about St. Rose’s that I remember.
The rooms were spacious, bright, and cheerfully decorated.
The staff was not just attentive; they exuded love and compassion for both patients and visitors.
When we visited on Father’s Day, we found my father in his bed wearing a carnation on his pajamas. During our visit, a staff member entered his room with a cart laden with coffee, pastries, and even liqueurs to help us celebrate our love for Dad.
I remember Dad telling us that he could get anything to eat at anytime, night or day, as long as they had it in the kitchen. If he woke up at 3:00 A. M. and wanted a sandwich or ice cream, he got it.
And, during a particularly busy period for me, I remember receiving a telephone call from a nun who gently but firmly scolded me for my failure to visit Dad for a few days.
And I remember that same nun holding Dad’s hand and mine as he passed away early one July morning.
St. Rose’s Home offered more than a place for my father to die in peace and comfort. It gave our family peace of mind knowing that Dad was receiving loving care every minute of the day and night.
At the end, when I inquired about a bill for the extraordinary service they rendered to my father and our family, an administrator passed me a blank piece of paper. The price for almost two months of care was…nothing.
About a month after my father’s passing, my mother, brother, and I pooled our available funds and mailed St. Rose’s a rather substantial check and a letter thanking them for the care they gave my father. Within a week, our uncashed check was returned to us. Accompanying the check was a letter explaining that they could not accept money from members of the immediate family as it is St. Rose’s mission to care for the dying, and the burden of losing a loved one was a already a great enough price for us to pay.
St. Rose’s Home is, for the most part, subsidized by the Catholic Church. They supplement their income with charitable contributions.
With all my heart, thank you St. Rose’s.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rich2003dm
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Location: New York City
Reviews written: 61
Trusted by: 171 members
About Me:
I broke my pencil so I'm probably done here.
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