AKF 2011 Caregiver of the Year: Bernice Strange

When her daughter died of breast cancer 11 years ago, Bernice Strange barely had time to mourn. Throughout her daughter's illness and after her death, Ms. Strange took on an awesome responsibility: caring for her adult grandson, Kenyon, a dialysis patient who is unable to walk and has profound medical needs.

The vibrant and energetic 82-year-old Ms. Strange takes it all in stride. A cancer survivor herself, she approaches every day as a gift. Her devotion to Kenyon is inspirational. The morning routine for Kenyon would be rigorous for someone half Ms. Strange's age: getting him out of bed and removing his feeding tubes, then bathing him and helping him dress. Their schedule of medical appointments includes three-times-weekly dialysis at DaVita Kresge Dialysis in Detroit.

While Kenyon dialyzes, Ms. Strange spreads her special brand of cheer to the other patients and staff. She comforts and encourages patients, and often runs errands for them and offers to carry their bags. When patients she knows are hospitalized, she walks to the hospital to visit and cheer them up.

To the social worker who nominated her, Ms. Strange is "everyone's grandmother. She truly embodies the award Caregiver of Year, but it could be Caregiver of the Century!"

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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• AKF 2011 Caregiver of the Year
• Bernice Strange
• akf
• kidney fund
• hope affair