Visit with Anna R.

Lena recently visited with one of our homebound widows, Anna R. 

Anna loved gymnastics as a kid and used to be an English professor in the two major universities in Kyiv. Unfortunately, her first husband died when their son was a baby. Her husband was an officer and worked at the nuclear testing ground and as a result, their son was born with a serious joint and muscle disorder. He has been in a wheelchair all of his life. 

Anna was an amazing mother. She managed to give her son the best education possible, despite the challenges. She later remarried, but unfortunately, her second husband did not live long either. With the collapse of the USSR, many of their friends lost their jobs. By that time her son was a college graduate and he started a small IT company—which gave jobs to many family friends. Some of those thankful friends still visit Anna today. 

Anna's son died at the age of 30. Now alone, Anna invited her older sick brother to live at her place to give him full care. Three years ago, Nikolay died and Anna was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She had a choice to make: start taking special treatment and start losing her mental skills or not take any medication and start losing the physical ability to move. She chose to keep mental health and later needed a wheelchair. 

Anna is 83 years old and a true encourager. Lena has never met a more interesting old lady. She is very bright with a great sense of humor, and Lena loves getting the chance to talk with her. Anna's two best friends, Sophia and Tonia, take shifts taking care of her. Yes, her hands shake and she is physically weak when she needs to move around, but her mind and spirit amaze Lena!

Lena also delivered the food vouchers to Anna. And of course, she sends her thanks and gratitude to the Mission and her sponsor!