Circle of Care Leeza's Place Testimonials

"A million thanks for your time, support and guidance last Thursday. My mother, Verna, and I so enjoyed meeting you and both thought you were wonderful. I am thrilled that we have found a great place to help us (especially my mum) through this adjustment."
-Warmest regards, Bronwyn Cornelius (caregiver)

"I just want to say a Big Thank You for being so kind to me last Thursday when I came (with Eddie) & dropped off the CD. Your kindness & taking the time to speak with me & give a few words of widsom....It happened to be a bad day & I really appreciated you. It meant a great deal to me Stefanie.

You are a special giving person & doing a great job in the community and Circle of Care Leeza's Place.

I hope I can come to more meetings that are beneficial to my problems (& I will bring Eddie) & see how it works out. I need it!!!"
-Best wishes & a successful 2007, Joyce Feldman

"It is one of my blessing for which I thank G-d that I connected with both of you through "Circle of Care Leeza's Place"!

Your enthusiastic dedication is inspiring, and I enjoy me time volunteering."
-My love and prayers are with you, Sister Roseagnes (Mary Haskins)

"Thanks again for the fun party - mom loved it and the scrapbook class. My sister Sue and Mom and I had such a great time on Saturday and the page they did is just out of this world. I think Sue has a gift for scrapbooking - mom too!

When we left Sat., mom asked me what the date was because she was going to mark it down as one of the best days she ever had."
-Maggie Ownbey (caregiver)

S+AGE™ Testimonials

"Dear Debbie- We wanted to thank you personally for your work.  We really appreciated your sensitivity to our needs and were so thankful that you sat in on our MD appointment yesterday.  Thanks for the giant pill box, the information on various safety alert systems, and the Five Wishes document.  And a special thanks for shepherding us so skillfully -- you are a treasure!"
- S+AGE Caregiver

"Dear Debbie -- Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for all your help. I don’t think we would have made it without you. My mom was discharged yesterday and is doing great. Talking with you and getting your honest input made all the difference in our decision making. Big Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
- S+AGE Caregiver

"We love S+AGE™. The first time we brought my father here he was so overmedicated he couldn't even walk. Now look at him. We have him back."
- Judy

"The doctors at S+AGE™ are wonderful. They're so good with my mom, and the staff is so helpful and friendly, too."
- Michelle

"I took my mom to S+AGE™ for some much needed outreach help. Dr. Stern spent a great deal of time with us and gave my mom a very comprehensive evaluation. I found S+AGE™ to be incredibly helpful!"
- Cory Garson

GBC Burn Survivor & Family Camp

"Hi my name is Paul Segura. I am a burn survivor. I would like to thank you for the memorable time I spent at Canyon Creek Sports Camp. I would like to share with you a couple of the many moments I experienced this weekend.

On the second day I had just completed an event on the ropes course when I looked up and saw a gentleman yell my name. He said "this is for you" and then jumped off a pole three stories up. He was trying to grab a suspended ring 6ft in front of him. Afterwards, I went to congratulate him. It was then that I found out that he was very scared of heights. I responded to him "not anymore" and we high fived.I also met his boy who is a burn survivor. To see him conquer his fear was awesome.

After dinner that evening I attended a group session that was powerful and the magic happened. Let me back track to earlier that day when I spoke with a mother of a child survivor whose main concern was that her child never really spoke about the accident. She was always very strong about it. During this after dinner session her child shared for the first time. I could see the chains were finally broken. Wow what a beautiful moment to witness.

I also spoke with a father and mother - a really nice family whose young daughter spoke for the first time about her accident. It was very moving. A lot of people shared or just listened at the session. I think everyone got something out of it.

I would like to thank .......I'm a recent survivor (February 2004). It was nice to know that I'm not alone going through this trying time during my "second" life.I just take it one day, one moment at a time. In closing I would like to say "Thanks again to everyone involved with this weekend event"."
- Sincerely, Mr. Paul Segura

GBC Housing & Direct Patient Assistance

"Thank you so much for all you have done for Todd and me. Without your help Todd would have been left alone during one of the worst times of his life, far from home. If it had not been for all of your help and graciousness, I would not have had a house to bring Todd home to recover in. It truly meant the world to me and I will never forget your kindness."
- I will remember you always, Christina Siler

"I want to thank you from our family's hearts to yours for being so kind and generous. You helped us at a very important time when we needed the help. The pressure gloves and the physical therapy helped so much and allowed me to return back to work. My right hand had 2nd and 3rd degree burns and for a time the doctors didn't know if they were going to have to amputate my thumb and index finger. It is nothing short of miraculious that I am writing this note back to you with the hand that shouldn't work anymore. Thank you for your goodness. You truly were a blessing for me and my family."
- Love, Rich, Monica, Alexis & Adrille Chatfield

"We want to give you a big thanks for your support with the logistics of a place to stay and help with transportation. One of our biggest worries was being so distant from Tom's care facility.This has helped tremendously! In addition, we want to mention how the Burn Survivors Support Group is a great help to all of us. We would also like to thank volunteers Bill, Don, Gary and Helen."
- With Sincerest Appreciation, James, Laurie and Thomas McKaye

"Nobody has ever done anything like this for me. It is much appreciated during this difficult time. I want to pay back when I return to work. You are like my guardian angel. I am always the one worried about my family. Now you have come in and had compassion for me and my family. Now my family and I can eat more than rice and beans for the rest of the week."
- From Mr. C (who was given food vouchers for a local market)

"Thanks, now I can call my family in El Salvador since this is such a difficult time and they are unable to be here."
- From Mr. W (who was given telephone cards)

"Some of my utilities are near disconnection and I don't know how I am going to pay rent. You have made me feel comfortable so I can accept some help. Thank you."
- From Mrs. S (who will be helped with food vouchers and rent)

GBC Staff Education

"As I walked into a large, dim lit conference hall, smiles greeted me immediately. The room was filled with survivors, who had their own stories of the struggles brought upon by their accident Looking around at all the smiles, laughter and hug embraces brought an automatic sense of comfort. There was only a hand full of faces I recognized and was soon to meet a plethora of new ones. My badge was flagged with a little red heart and that symbolized this was my first attendance at World Burn Congress. Previous attendees would immediately notice the "red heart" and come over to extend their arms for a welcoming hug. This was my introduction at World Burn Congress.

I had heard from others that a WBC is a whole different expreience. Some people are flooded with emotions and others are enlightened. There were burn survivors who finally felt comfortable enough to wear clothing that exposed their once hidden scars. I had the chance to hear and watch people tell their story for the first time during open mic. The over powering emotion that spreads through the audience sends chills up your spine and tears to your eyes.

The seminars highlighted and reinforced information I was familiar with through the medical profession. The touching part was to see the connection the lectures made with the survivors. You could see the "ah ha" look come across their face as the speakers hit topics that they had been battling with for years.

The breakfasts, lunches and dinners gave the attendees an opportunity to socialize and re-connect with old friends. The city was beautiful and offered night time events many of the survivors explored. I had conversed with many of them who wished the conference lasted longer. This was the only time for them to be surrounded by fellow survivors and friends.

I have the opportunity to assist with the adult burn survivor support groups and listen intimately to the survivor's daily struggles. The amount of feedback I receive at these personal group meetings helped prepare me for the WBC. It was an experience I'll never forget and I do encourage others to attend at least one WBC. To see survivors finally comfortable in their skin was a sight I'll never forget. To be in a "safe" environment allowed survivors to let down their walls and enjoy an event arranged especially for them. "
- Jennifer Karle, RN