First, of course, was her diagnosis of ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease. But in addition to that, this young lady was a widow twice over. Her first husband had died in a car accident on Christmas Eve about four years before she came to VITAS, and her second husband, despondent over watching Patrice so ill and declining, had committed suicide. Between these two husbands, Patrice was left with five sons under the age of 12. To top it off, her youngest child was autistic and had Cerebral Palsy.

Patrice had been ill for awhile before coming to VITAS. As her ALS had progressed, she was no longer able to remain on her own, and although they had been estranged for some years, she had gone home to live with her mother. It was not an easy situation. Although her mother had allowed her daughter to come home, she had Patrice and her five sons living in the garage.

Patrice’s oldest son, who was all of 11, was caring for her and his brothers. He would get up early in the morning to get the other kids fed and ready for school. Then, after getting Patrice set for the day, he would go to school himself. Clearly this was a family that needed VITAS’ help.

When our staff began to care for Patrice, we quickly learned that one of her top priorities was that we find a home for her sons. She did not want them separated, nor did she want her mother to gain custody, and she wanted the matter resolved before her death. One day not long afterward, the VITAS social worker called Patrice, telling her that the five boys could be placed at a nearby orphanage. Patrice decided that the boys should make the transition after the holidays. They would have one last Christmas together as a real family.

Needless to say, in her difficult situation Patrice could not afford to buy the boys gifts for the last Christmas she would ever see. So the VITAS team went into action, collecting over $1,000. And that Christmas morning, to everyone’s joy, there were five new bikes under the tree.

Patrice was a lesson to us in courage and caring. We’ll never forget her.