By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“We do not remember days, we remember moments,” these words seem to jump from the display board, they were printed on over the names and photos of cancer victims, survivors and those who are in the midst of their journey. The board which was displayed during a recent gathering of scrap-bookers as they put aside their creative projects to help create one more memory of a fellow scrapbook enthusiastic, care giver and cherished friend — Janice Espling.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
During a Sept. 18 Scrapbooking Crop, friends and family members of Janice Espling, celebrated her life with a Remembrance Ceremony, during which a donation of $1,268 was made to Hospice of Aroostook in her name. From left are Gail Phair-Kirk, of Limestone, Hospice manager with Hospice of Aroostook; Espling’s daughter Tina Taylor; husband Clarence; daughter Amber and Linda Sheldon, close friend and Creative Memories independent consultant.
Espling, after a ferocious fight, lost her battle against cancer on February 26 of this year. To her family members and her closest friends, it became apparent during her journey, through hospitalization and as she entered hospice that small things, allowing for comfort and dignity weren’t always readily available — even an item such as an over-the bed-table, which costs around $100.
With the increasing cost of health care, it too often becomes a reality for patients and their families that programs such as Medicare and Medicaid will not allow coverage for certain item, among them the bed table (considered to be a convenience); nor do agencies providing hospice care have the necessary funds to provide these items, as they are funded by these same programs.
Linda Sheldon, Creative Memories scrap booking independent representative, and close friend to Espling and her family, along with other scrap booking friends decided to see what they could do to assist in this situation, at the same time keeping their friend’s memory in the forefront. The result of their brainstorming saw the group set out to raise monies to donate to Hospice of Aroostook, designated to provide over-the-bed-tables or other such items that would provide dignity and comfort to patients who might otherwise not have the resources to purchase them for themselves.
“Janice was able to pay for her own table,” said Sheldon, during a very emotional gathering at the Washburn Elementary School, where scrap bookers were participating in a ‘crop session’. “Toward the end, having that little table allowed her to pull herself up into a sitting position — she could rest her elbows on it, it let her be more comfortable — and we used it to keep her food or drinks close to her.”
“We wanted to give something back to hospice in Janice’s memory,” said Sheldon, “for the wonderful care and compassion they showed to her and her family.”
The total amount raised and donated in Espling’s memory to Hospice of Aroostook was $1,268. Espling was employed at VNA where she was part of the hospice team.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
A Remembrance Board holds the names of cancer victims, survivors and those who presently are fighting the disease, was created in memory of Janice Espling who lost her battle with cancer in February of this year. The board was on display during a recent Remembrance Ceremony held in Espling’s honor at which time a monetary donation was presented to Hospice of Aroostook.
Speaking to the group during the Remembrance Ceremony was Gail Phair-Kirk, of Limestone, hospice manager with Hospice of Aroostook. “The goal of Hospice is to ensure dignity and respect for our patients,” said Phair-Kirk. “We provide care and comfort when it has been determined there is nothing left medically that can be done for them. Hospice workers help to ease the spiritual and emotional pain — something else these individuals and their families struggle with — Hospice tries to help their patients die well,” added Phair-Kirk, “their self-worth and respect and dignity isn’t just an item number to us.”
Among others who were present during the afternoon gathering were Pearl Fitzgerald, hospice nurse of Washburn hospice nurse, Karen Clark of Georgia, a close friend of Espling’s; and Marie Veno, originally of Fort Fairfield, who now resides in Dover-Foxcroft where she is the owner of an embroidery shop. Veno created special shirts in memory of her friend which were worn during the Sept. 18 event.
