I missed Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears dismantling of the Jaguars this weekend because of Hurricane Milton. But I saw something much better- Palm Garden caregivers in all their glory
It’s inspirational to view professional athletes as heroes. Their competitive fire and athletic primacy bring us great joy. It is different to view a caregiver doing something quite heroic. I was blessed to be both a spectator and second-string participant in a high-stakes game last week. And I’m proud to share “the starters” (Palm Garden caregivers) won it for us.
Ahead of Hurricane Milton, a massive hurricane described by meteorologists as a “once in 300-year rain event,” I saw men and women who earn only a percentage of what a professional athlete earns per game doing heroic things.
I don’t mean to begrudge athletes their salaries. They bring us great joy. I mean to honor caregivers. For their contributions elevate the human spirit.
Ahead of Hurricane Milton, I saw fellow Floridians flock to grocery and gas. I saw the lines at Lowe’s as folks rightly braced for the storm. Publix and Winn Dixie parking lots were packed.
Pinellas County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all hospitals, assisted living centers and skilled nursing centers on October 6th. I also saw something quite inspirational. I saw nurses, C.N.A.’s, and caregivers flock to Palm Garden Post-Acute Rehabilitation and Living Centers to protect treasured elders. Instead of hunkering down with family or neighbors, they answered their call to service.
They transitioned almost 300 treasured elders to 3 inland Palm Garden Care Centers ahead of the storm. 5 charter buses of precious people. 8 wheelchair transport vans. A feat worthy of a touchdown celebration when considering the frailty of our passengers and the anxiety of a category 5 hurricane.
It’s one thing to transport treasured elders to safety. It’s a more important thing to make sure they are happy, loved and known as persons, each with a personal life story. I was quoted on this in the Wall Street Journal, “It’s important to have caregivers who know each treasured elder as a person, know their likes, dislikes, their specific physical needs.”
So instead of turning around and going home, as many of us would, our nurses, C.N.A.’s and caregivers did something quite heroic. They stayed.
Marcia Luck, a nurse at Palm Garden of Largo, evacuated her residents and stayed with them at Palm Garden of Sun City through the storm. “My residents? My teammates? They are my family, no way I was going to be anywhere else.” Did I mention? Marcia lost everything only 10 days earlier in Hurricane Helene flooding. After the trauma of losing her home and still staying with friends, Marcia could have been forgiven for leaving town, any of us would have.
Marcia stayed.
We can never thank our nurses, C.N.A.’s, our caregivers enough. They’ve revealed themselves to us, yet again, as heroes. Their dedication and empathy is worthy of the best touchdown “gritty” one could muster.