Faith in action of adams county is a partner agency of the adams county office for aging. Faith in action volunteers provide service to people who live in adams county and who have no family, friends, or funds to help them. Faith in action is very appreciative of the funds received from the united way through a partner grant. without this funding, the faith in action program would be in jeopardy. Below are brief descriptions of three of our faith in action care recipients:
Joane's Story:
An 82-year-old resident of Littlestown, Joane has severe arthritis and osteoporosis. She wears a neck collar since she can’t hold her head up. Her hands are gnarled, leaving her unable to hold a cup or a spoon. Joane has a history of falling, and in March, 2011, she fell and broke her hip. After a stay in Hanover Hospital and Rehab at the Lutheran Home, Joane returned to her apartment. The second day after her return, she fell again and was hospitalized. Evaluations by her medical team revealed that she was unable to return to her apartment, and she was sent to the Brethren Home in New Oxford. Joane has no family in the area. Thanks to a Faith in Action volunteer, all of her belongings have been moved and the process to vacate her apartment has started. Faith in Action is her only source of support.
Jim's Story:
A survivor of cancer, 2 heart attacks, a stroke, and an amputation, Jim is legally blind from diabetes. Faith in Action volunteers drive him to medical appointments in Chambersburg Hospital and also to physical therapy. He has had numerous hospital stays, sometimes lasting over 6 weeks. FIA volunteers visit him both at home and while he is hospitalized. They also go grocery shopping and do light cleaning for Jim as he is not mobile. When asked what he would do without FIA, he burst into tears and cried, “I’d be dead!” FIA volunteers offer emotional support as he is often depressed and weak. He has had no family support - only the supportive love of FIA volunteers.
Joni's Story:
A resident of Gettysburg, Joni had one leg amputated below the knee due to her diabetes. In April, 2011, she burned her hands while cooking on an electric stove. Because she has diabetic neuropathy, she did not feel the burns right away….not before they were severely charred. She drove herself to Gettysburg Hospital, and they transferred her by helicopter to the Lehigh Valley Burn Center. Following a telephone call from one of the social workers at LVBC, a Faith in Action volunteer drove to Allentown to pick her up and take her home. When they arrived at Gettysburg Hospital where Joni’s car was parked, they found the battery dead. Thanks to AAA and our dedicated Faith in Action volunteer, Joni arrived safely at her home.