Helping Jane Thrive After Her Stroke

Helping Jane Thrive After Her Stroke

Jane Nelson Pickering Joslin

#itsajanething

 

To know her is to love her! Moments with her leave you feeling brighter, loved, cared for and more joyful.

Jane Pickering married her high school sweetheart, Bill Joslin in 1952. They built a very good life together with their three kids. After serving in the US Navy, Bill joined the Council Bluffs Fire Department, where he earned the rank of Captain and paramedic.  At the age of 45, Bill suffered a heart attack forcing him to retire.  Jane was there for him with support and love every step of the way.  Eight years later, Bill had a massive stroke leaving him paralyzed on his right side and leaving him without his speech. Bill and Jane learned to communicate in their own special way and learned a lot of patience. Their love grew even deeper, and over the years they shared a lot of tears and laughter, and made many wonderful memories!

Nothing ever seemed to slow them down. Jane and Bill learned to live their BEST life! That included traveling, enjoying their 10 grandkids, supporting them in all their activities and staying involved in the community. Bill and Jane were members of the Cosmopolitan Club, and Jane a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Jane also served many years as deaconess in her church and was known as one of the “funeral ladies''.  She has always been the first to sign up whenever there was a need and help wherever she was able.

After being the sole caregiver to Bill for 25 years, his passing away in 2010 left her with a hole in her heart. Together they were a beacon of love, service, goodness and inspiration to all who knew them. Her caring extended to many family members and friends in their time of need.  Whether it was making a pan of brownies, hosting Friday night game night, providing a shoulder to cry on, driving anyone who needed a ride, or just holding a loved one’s hand during their last moments. She has always been there. 

In 2016, Jane moved into a senior living center. She was doing okay, but just never felt like it was “Home”. Then in early 2020, COVID came into our lives!  She, along with the other residents, were required to quarantine and experienced an unprecedented level of isolation.  Many of you with aging family members can probably relate - Her family and friends were only able to visit through a window for over six months.  As a result, she missed many holidays, birthdays and other family milestones.  However, throughout it all, she always tried to remain positive and hopeful.  In September of last year, the quality of her life experiences improved substantially!  One of her granddaughters serves as an activity coordinator at a senior/assisted living facility in Council Bluffs, and Jane changed facilities to be with her. Through the daily presence, support and motivation of her granddaughter, she began to meet new people, participate in activities, increase her socialization and enjoy outings!  As a result, she began to THRIVE again – she felt like she was finally “HOME”!

In early January of this year, Jane had a stroke.  Following her hospital stay, she was transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation center for therapy.  The therapy goals are to regain strength, function and use of her right arm and leg.  The early weeks of her physical and occupational therapy are showing some improvement but, there will be a need for long term therapy.   As she completes her rehabilitation experience in the coming weeks, she will now require an increased level of care in the assisted living facility, with 24 hour providers to assist in meeting her new needs.  She will require help with transferring, mobility and other daily activities. Through it all, she is still smiling, loving and constantly asking about the wellbeing of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She recently got to watch some of her great grandchildren make a snowman outside her window! She really enjoyed that!

With the recent stroke, hospitalization, lengthy inpatient rehabilitation stay, and ongoing physical and occupational therapy Jane is facing substantial financial challenges. Jane’s resources are nearly depleted and the family contributions are not sufficient to cover the current and ongoing expenses.  The family’s goal is that Jane will be able to stay in her assisted living “HOME” as she learns to adjust to these new health challenges and higher levels of care that are now required.  The family is hopeful that Jane’s financial circumstances will not result in Jane needing to transition to Medicaid and a long term care facility where the encouragement, support and life enrichment experiences may not be at the level of her current “HOME”.

We are hoping to raise $30,000 to assist in meeting her financial demands and keep her in her assisted living “HOME”.  If you feel compelled to assist in this cause, she would forever be grateful!  She will likely feel undeserving and most definitely humbled and deeply touched by your generosity or any level of kindness that can be shared.

Every little bit will help! If you are not in a position to make a contribution at this time, please just share a smile, extend gratitude and show kindness to someone who does not expect it. By doing so, you will be doing “a Jane thing”!  

We hope that you enjoy getting to know Jane through these pictures…they’re some of our favorites

If you are lucky enough to still have your mom, be sure and give her a hug and thank her for loving you!

Thank you so much for reading this, and for considering any contribution. 

Peace and blessings to you.

If you wish to send check via mail please make out to "Rick Kenealy in care of Jane Joslin". He will then deposit check(s) directly to Jane's GoFundMe account.

Sincerely, 

Jane Joslin’s family