One day in January of 1992, Kathy Derr was told the words no mother wants to hear: Her 7-year-old son, Christopher, had an inoperable brain tumor. The next nine months were a stressful blur of hospital visits, treatments and tears, until that August, her beloved Christopher passed away, leaving Kathy and her family shattered with grief.
This is worse than a nightmare, because a nightmare you wake up from, Kathy thought, anguished. But with four other children, she knew she had to find a way to carry on. Even in the midst of her grief, the blessings were abundant: Her family and friends had gone above and beyond to step up and support her. From organizing outings for her other children to cooking countless meals, her close-knit circle was a godsend.
Not every family in our situation is this lucky, Kathy thought, recalling with heartbreak how many kids had been alone in the hospital as their parents struggled to make ends meet. All sick children should be able to get a time-out from hospital visits and have something to look forward to—with their loved ones! she realized.
Finding purpose in pain
Kathy and her husband, Chuck, decided to take action and make that wish a reality. Three years after Christopher’s passing, the pair started putting the building blocks in place to give other families that same sense of community—and some fun too.
Bu hikaye Woman's World dergisinin August 28, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman's World dergisinin August 28, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Keep your mind sharp for life
Our brains age along with the rest of us, and around 40% of us will deal with some form of memory loss after 65. The good news? Easy lifestyle tweaks can give you the brain of someone up to 15 years younger, according to research in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. To safeguard your memory, just...
Home remedies for a frozen shoulder
Hormone changes after age 40 can spur inflammation that thickens the connective tissue around the shoulder joint, causing pain and reduced mobility. Luckily, about 90% of cases eventually resolve without surgery. In the meantime, these tricks provide relief and speed healing
Pest-proof yourself this summer!
Our clever tricks will allow you to enjoy summer without intruders like mosquitos, ants and ticks spoiling the fun
"You're loved-just as you are!"
Leeza Gibbons, 67, was a TV icon during the '80s and '90s, as the host of Entertainment Tonight and her talk show Leeza. But it's her role as caregiver-first to her mother who had Alzheimer's and recently to her mother-inlaw-that she's found the most gratifying and challenging. Here, she shares her best advice for finding calm and joy even during hard times
"Stepped black tea bags cured my sties!"
After a lifetime of suffering with red, itchy, painful sties, Sherry Boykin finally found a simple remedy that gets rid of them in a matter of hours-and it was in her kitchen all along
Gardening makes you healthier!
A study in Preventive Medicine Reports suggests that a few small tweaks to your time spent digging, weeding and pruning can deliver big health benefits. Here's how
Genius hacks to Summer-proof your hair!
Dealing with frizz, limp locks, brassy color and more this time of year? These smart strategies keep tresses looking youthful and gorgeous despite summer's harsh elements
"Help! My doctor doesn't listen to me!"
If your ailments have ever been dismissed as typical 'female bothers,' a product of your weight or part of getting older, here's how to get the medical care you deserve
TRANSFORM YOUR BODY
Study: Superfruit benefits are so close to new weight-loss drugs, it can help women lose weight 17x faster
Her son's last wish gave her hope and new purpose in life
Ben Algar had just started carpentry school when he was diagnosed with cancer and had to leave for treatment. He prayed to return to class but told his instructor, \"If I am not able, my mom will go in my place.\" When he lost his battle, she fulfilled his last request