Shut-in finds hope after being indoors for 8,750 hours
Being stuck at home during the pandemic has been hard for everyone.
It’s been even harder for 74-year-old Rosy of Buffalo, Minn. During the past year, she’s left her apartment only three times. That’s a total of about 8,750 hours spent indoors, under the same roof, with almost no in-person human contact.
“It’s been a rough year,” said Rosy, who has ventured outside her home only to see doctors for medical problems associated with her legs. She is waiting to receive her COVID-19 vaccine, after which she plans to leave her apartment as often as she can.
Meanwhile, Rosy continues to be lonely. She lost her husband two years ago, and she misses seeing her immediate family members on a regular basis. Every so often, her kids and grandkids stop by and talk to her through the window of her apartment.
“My other grandkids live up north and they want me to come see them so bad,” Rosy said. “I will see them once my leg is fixed and I get vaccinated. But right now, it’s too hard.”
Thankfully, Rosy has someone else she can lean on: Alisa, a case worker at the local Salvation Army. They talk on the phone often.
“Our calls stay on the light side and there is some laughing,” Alisa said. “It’s a nice way for Rosy to know that she is known, loved and supported.”
Alisa has also helped Rosy by providing grocery gift cards, dropping off food at her apartment, and using Salvation Army rent assistance funds to pay a portion of her rent during a month she fell behind.
“Alisa has been a wonderful person,” Rosy said. “Whenever I want to talk to someone who will listen to me, she listens. She’s just fantastic.”
Rosy is one of many shut-ins who receive hope thanks to your donations to The Salvation Army Northern Division. Our staff and volunteers offer regular visitations and other support to show lonely men and women they are valued, loved and cared about.
Please join The Salvation Army in serving those in crisis by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer. Your help will provide emergency assistance and hope for people and families in desperate need.
* Photo illustration used to protect privacy.