24 minute read
SENIORS
from 6.2.22
Theresa’s Angels
Blind Senior Continues Making Clay Angels, Giving Them to Special People in Her Life
By Ally Morrison
As a retired elementary art teacher, Jo Ann Brown has seen a lot of natural talent. But she said the most incredible talent she has seen comes from one of her dear friends, Theresa Thrasher.
“My journey from teaching kids to facilitating hand-built clay for seniors in Homewood led me to Theresa, an incredibly talented senior lady who makes porcelain clay pots and sculptures even though she is completely blind,” Brown said.
Brown guides a group of seniors who call themselves the “Claydies” and meet every
Thursday morning at Dawson Baptist Church to make clay sculptures and pots.
“She works by touch and my favorite of her various creations are her angels that she makes to give away to special people in her life,” Brown said. “This sense of touch just keeps getting better and better as she grows in her talent.”
Because of progressive vision loss through macular degeneration, uncontrolled glaucoma and Graves’ disease, Thrasher’s vision faded throughout her life. Although she has lost her sight and is now hearing impaired, Thrasher refuses to let such things stand in her way.
JO ANN BROWN
Journal photos by Ally Morrison
The Evolution of Angels
She talked from her apartment, which is filled with porcelain trinkets and pottery in glass cases, about the angels for which she is now known.
“I was trying to think of something to give the ladies who work in my dentist’s office and also something for my dentist,” Thrasher said. “He’s a big teddy bear.”
“When Jo Ann mentioned pinch pots, I knew I could make an angel out of them,” Thrasher said. “It got a little more complicated, but not too much. They’re fast to make.”
Brown explained the figurines are made by turning pinch pots upside down and placing wings and a head on the pot to make an angel. When asked how many angels she’s made, Thrasher chuckled and said she’d only planned to make 10 for the dentist’s office. Before long, a few people saw them and loved them. Ten grew to 20, which grew to a few dozen more. “It’s amazing to me how much she does on her own, it’s mind-boggling,” Brown said. “I’ll be doing my own thing during our group meetings and the next time I look up she’ll have three angels done.”
“She quit using paintbrushes a while ago and now glazes her work using her fingers by dipping them into the glaze and rubbing it onto her creations. Having accommodated special needs children for years, I watched as Theresa just accommodated herself, bravely jumping in and doing what works for her,” Brown said.
Brown and Thrasher joked about the “dipping party” they had not long ago, dipping about 25 of Thasher’s angels in glaze one after another.
“Sometimes she may need a touch-up here and there with her glazes, but her work is all done by her and her alone,” Brown said. “Every week she comes into our studio, collects her supplies and just dives in.” Thrasher has made countless sculptures aside from the angels she gives away, such as vases, porcelain turtles, pots to hold her eye drops and, most recently, porcelain cats.
Thrasher’s creativity began before she lost her vision; she dabbled in jewelry making before learning how to make pottery.
“It wasn’t until after I retired from commercial insurance and was volunteering at the McWane Science Center that I got into art,” Thrasher said. “I made jewelry and started learning about clay. It’s fun, I like it. It’s something I can do being blind. Hopefully one day I can go back to jewelry making.”
“I know everyone has special gifts from the Lord, but Theresa is my favorite gifted person,” Brown said. “Instead of giving up and staying in her dark world, she just kept going. For years our little group prayed often for Theresa’s eyes as they grew weaker and weaker, and though now her vision is gone, God has given her a new way of seeing. The Lord has brought her a bright, new, creative way to share her joy with others. Her contagious optimism abounds as she learns to navigate her new world without vision and is an inspiration to all. Watching her grow into her new life has been amazing, and I am so privileged and blessed to have witnessed it.”
Because of progressive vision loss through macular degeneration, uncontrolled glaucoma and Graves’ disease, Theresa Thrasher’s vision faded throughout her life.
ALSO IN THIS SECTION
GOOD BOY
Children’s of Alabama throws retirement party for beloved Hand in Paw therapy dog PAGE 26
‘IT’S AN HONOR TO HELP SUPPORT IT’
Homewood Library volunteer wins Library Champion Award for Jefferson County PAGE 28
Danberry at Inverness
The Unique Choice in Senior Living
Even more than larger floor plans, gorgeous architecture, and outstanding amenities—Danberry at Inverness frees you to create a lifestyle all your own, with
Independent Living, Assisted
Living, and Memory Care all right here. More peace of mind.
And a lot more fun! Call (205) 443-9500.
In the past, seniors seeking a retirement community had few options. Often, it was either an uninspiring urban high-rise with few outside amenities or an upscale development built around a golf-course or waterfront with few personal services.
But today’s retirees and tomorrow’s retiring baby boomers increasingly demand an environment that not only is carefree, but also offers them ample opportunities to remain mentally and physically active in a soothing natural setting.
In other words, they want an address that redefines retirement.
Danberry at Inverness senior living community, located at 235 Inverness Center Drive in Hoover, just off US 280 and Valleydale Road, is an example of an inspiring approach to retirement living that feels unique from the moment one enters its atrium lobby. Stained-glass windows and a cascading waterfall set the mood for a retirement lifestyle that emphasizes natural beauty, vitality and personal fulfillment. Residents can choose from comfortable one-, two- or three-bedroom luxury apartment homes which are appointed with upscale features such as ceramic tile floors, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. English gardens and flowering landscapes complete these picture-perfect residences.
The award-winning Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture and natural surroundings only add to the peaceful, stress-reducing environment.
“We believe that Danberry at Inverness offers people over 55 independent living unlike anywhere else - one that encourages growth, learning and discovery of new things about yourself and your environment,” said Danberry at Inverness Marketing Director Lori Krueger.
Get more out of life at
Danberry at Inverness Residents enjoy:
•Flexible dining options •Transportation •Housekeeping •Fitness Center •Wellness Clinic •24-hour nursing •Indoor resort-style pool •Full-service salon & spa •Card & billiard rooms •Creative arts studio •Movie theater •And much more!
Comprehensive health and wellness services for independent living, assisted living and memory care lifestyles are available at Danberry at Inverness, and they are offered in meticulously designed environments that invite nature indoors. For example, throughout the Danberry at Inverness Clubhouse, nature seamlessly blends both indoors and out with fireplaces, the atrium lobby, English tea gardens and waterfalls. Here, residents can take care of everyday details and enjoy a range of first-class amenities (movie theater, creative art studio, bridge and card rooms) and services (library, mail/communications room). Dining is available in the formal dining room and al fresco on the garden terrace. OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAl life A Dynamic Approach to Wellness The advantages of living in one of today’s wellnessoriented retirement communities are many: ample Danberry at Inverness opportunities to stay as strong and independent as possible, staying in the mainstream of activities and Danberry at Inverness retirement community has been chosen as one of the nation’s top communities in 2013 on SeniorAdvisor.com, the events and keeping a healthy outlook on life. Danberry premier online ratings and reviews site for senior living communities at Inverness offers exceptional fitness opportunities all nationwide. The SeniorAdvisor 2013 Excellence Award recognizes senior living under one roof, such as “senior-friendly” spa services, communities that receive consistently high ratings and positive reviews a fully equipped fitness center, classes including Tai from residents, families, and visitors. “Receiving this des ignation places Danberry in the top one percent of all retirement communities Chi, aerobics, water yoga and Pilates, a private senior-nationwide,” said Danberry at Inverness marketing director, Lori friendly heated indoor, resort-style saltwater pool and a Krueger. “We are so proud that so many—especially our residents— wellness clinic. consider us to be one of the best of the best.” “Our residents will tell
“We make sure our residents have every opportuniLocated in Inverness on you that they wish they’d ty to learn, explore and savor life in a whole new way,” said Krueger. “In other words, we help them Lake Heather, Danberry at Inverness is a senior living community for adults 55 and moved here sooner. They love the carefree, fun-filled design a future filled with fun!”older with every convenience and rewarding retireThis community really must be seen to be believed, so stop by Danberry at Inverness today, visit DanberryAtInverness.com or call 443-9500. and amenity imaginable, including a clubhouse with card rooms, a ballroom, indoor swimming pool, creative art studio, salon/ ment lifestyle they find at Danberry. And we love serving them!” lori Krueger, marketing director, spa, theater, fitness studio, Danberry at Inverness. innovative wellness programs and much more. Residents enjoy chef-prepared menus and dining with friends in the casual bistro or more formal dining room. Services include scheduled transportation, concierge and weekly housekeeping. For those in need of a helping hand, 24-hour licensed professional nursing is available on-site in Assisted Living at Danberry, which offers a comfortable and luxurious atmosphere. On-site physical and occupational therapy also are available.
“Our residents will tell you that they wish they’d moved here sooner. They love the carefree, fun-filled and rewarding retirement lifestyle they find at Danberry,” said Krueger. “And we love serving them!”
Danberry is the flagship senior housing development for the Daniel Corporation and is managed by CRSA®, an LCS® company.
Danberry at Inverness is located on Lake Heather just off U.S. 280 and Valleydale Road in Hoover, 443-9500.
Congress is in session –ARE YOUR VETERANS BENEFITS SAFE?
Our speaker is William G. Nolan, an accredited attorney with the VA and a local Elder Law attorney with the firm Nolan Stewart, PC. Mr. Nolan has written articles about and is a frequent speaker on the subject of Veterans benefits.
You will also learn more about services provided to qualified Veterans exclusively by Always Best Care.
Thursday, March 20, 2014 • 13
ABOVE: Residents spending time together at Danberry at Inverness. LEFT: The atrium at Danberry at Inverness is the center of the clubhouse. It connects the common areas and provides a place where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail with friends before dinner.
Top: The atrium at Danberry is the center of the clubhouse that connects the common areas, providing a place residents can enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail with friends before dinner. lefT: Waterfall at the entrance to Danberry. Above: lori Krueger, left, marketing director and Jaclyn Gardner, executive director of Danberry at Inverness.
Veterans benefits have been available since WWII...
yet there are some in Congress who want to significantly curtail your benefits. If you are a Veteran or the widow of a Veteran, or if you might become a caregiver for a Veteran, please join us for an informative and timely (and free!) presentation on “The Future of Your VA Benefits”.
The Future of Your VA Benefits
235 Inverness Center Drive Hoover, AL 35242 Tuesday, April 8 OR Thursday, April 10, 2014 • 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DanberryAtInverness.com Refreshments and Door Prizes 235 Inverness Center Drive • Hoover, AL Limited Availability!
The changes that Congress proposes are not yet law but their intent is clear – they want to make it much harder for Veterans and widows to obtain their pensions. Consider applying for your pension now, before it becomes more difficult!
Distinctively Different Retirement Living
235 Inverness Center Drive Hoover, AL 35242
www.DanberryAtInverness.com
RSVP to (205) 443-9500. Limited Seating.
Steel City Walk in Tubs
If you or a loved one are worried about the issue of falling. Perhaps the solution to getting out of the tub of shower safely is here. A walk in tub is a possible solution. • They can help prevent that bathroom fall. • They are easy to enter, even in a wheel chair or walker, thanks to our “transfer model” tub. We have a variety of tubs if the transfer isn’t what you’re looking for. Maybe a tub for two or even a Doggy bath • These tubs can extend that time you can spend in your home. • If your medical condition warrants a walk in tub it’s possible the cost can be taken as a medical deduction on your tax return. • What about, will it increase the value of my home? The answer is a resounding yes according to real estate professionals. • If you can extend your stay in your own home, by just a year or two, you can literally save thousands $. Not to mention the anguish of moving. • What is the holdup. We can transform your bath into safer place in as little as a week. Money ? We provide financing if that is what you need. Our tubs are the equal of any others out there. • Our tubs start at $9,900 fully installed. And we will add grab bars thru out your bath FREE! And we offer full acrylic at no cost unlike many of our competitors. • We are the only tub provider offering a maintenance plan in Alabama. Anything goes wrong we will fix at no installation cost. •Let us come to your home and tell you about our tubs. We will leave you with a free coupon for Dinner for you and a friend.
Call us at 205-789-3807 or email us at sbissell@steelcitywalkintubs.com. Don’t put this off another day, remember a fall could rob you of staying in your home even a another day. Don’t take that chance.
No other tub supplier can show you a tub that you can sit in before you buy. First 50 to call receive a $100 discount!!
Walk-In Tubs
Safe, spa-like bathing experience without leaving home
Duke and Carol Ritter, above, became a Hand in Paw Therapy Team in 2015.
Good Boy
For seven years, Duke Ritter roamed the halls of hospitals and special needs programs, working to comfort and cheer everyone he met.
Children’s of Alabama was his favorite place to visit. In his prime, he would go every week with his human, Carol, to help patients and staff through some extremely difficult times.
He didn’t retire with just a pat on the head and a fond farewell, though that was part of the picture. The child life specialists at Children’s threw a retirement party for Duke and his handler, who made up one of Hand in Paw’s animalassisted therapy teams.
“It was such a pleasure to celebrate the legacy Duke and Carol established at Children’s of Alabama throughout the years,” said Courtney Wells, a child life specialist who had worked closely with the pair in the emergency room. “We will never be able to thank them enough for all of the joy they brought to patients, families and staff members during their time with us.”
During the party, several Children’s staff members stopped by and thanked Carol and gave Duke farewell pets, treats and gifts, including a custom collar that had “Dr. Duke” engraved on the tag. There was a special photo wall for pictures and lots of food for humans, as well.
Duke and Carol became a Hand in Paw therapy team in 2015. They made hundreds of therapeutic visits with local program partners, including visiting clients at The Exceptional Foundation, participating in the Pawsitive Living program with Glenwood Inc. and visiting patients in UAB’s emergency room.
“Duke and Carol will be dearly missed, but the impact they left on our hospital will never be forgotten,” Wells said. “We know that Duke will continue to be loved and appreciated by everyone he knows as he transitions into retirement.” Hand in Paw aims to improve human health and well-being through animal-assisted therapy. Over the years there have been many professionally trained therapy teams of handlers and animals, and they have made thousands of visits a year with children who have special needs, atrisk youth, struggling students and people with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Hand in Paw also is thanking and honoring those people and animals with its own retired therapy dog get-together on Founder’s Day, July 16.
Tips on Long-Distance Caregiving
It is not always possible to live close to an aging parent, especially if they want to age in place. If you have moved away and your loved one is adamant about staying in their own home rather than moving to a nearby assisted living community, nursing home or in with you, it can require some careful planning to ensure that they’re doing well.
Most seniors want to live in their long time homes, stay close to their friends and continue to be involved in their local community.
Sometimes it’s better for them to be in a very familiar place rather than moving somewhere they don’t know. At the same time, adult children want to remain aware of what is going on and know that their parents are safe and thriving.
Overcoming Distance to Stay in Touch
Utilize technology. Set up a video calling program such as Skype or FaceTime. This allows you to not only talk to your aging parent, but to see them as well.
You can take note of how they’re keeping up with personal hygiene, eating, laundry, their mood and physical safety. Set up specific times each day or week to call to create a consistent routine.
Schedule visits. Try to visit as regularly as possible so you can see your loved one and their home in person. Maybe you only get to visit once a month or once very few months, but it’s worth it to make the effort. It also allows you to take care of business while you’re visiting and watch your loved one moving about their home and taking care of themselves. You may also notice changes from visit to visit that you wouldn’t otherwise notice.
Coordinate with family. Share the responsibility and enlist the help of other family members, as well. You can take turns visiting and calling and each person could be accountable for different tasks. One person may help with shopping or laundry while another works with a financial professional on money management. Make sure that everyone communicates regularly so no one is left in the dark or missing out on important information.
Have plans in place. Set up power of attorney, medical directives and emergency plans in advance. Know who you should call if you can’t get a hold of your loved one or if they call you with a problem. Ensure that all of their emergency contacts are up-to-date and that you have access to any accounts or information you may need.
Hire an in-home caregiver. Knowing that an in-home caregiver is there to support your loved one’s needs can give you greater peace of mind and empower your aging parent to age in place more safely. You can arrange for a caregiver to assist a few hours a day or a few hours a week depending on your senior’s level of need. A caregiver can help with everything from meal planning, light housekeeping, home organization, playing games or cards to accompanying your loved one on outings, doctors’ appointments and providing medication reminders.
In-Home Care, Including Bathing, Grooming, Housekeeping,
Meal Preparation, Incontinence Care, Medication Reminders Skilled Nursing, Occupational and Physical Therapy Services
The Only Agency in Alabama Accredited by the
Accreditation Commission of Health Care (ACHC) for Aide,
Companion and Skilled Nursing Services
Beth Macdonald
This article was provided by Jennifer Mancuso, owner, Always Best Care. For more information on our services contact us at 205-874-9730 or email us at jmancuso@abc-seniors.com
Always Best Care is offering free in-home COVID test kits to all commuGiving Our Best To Your Loved Ones nity members. Please contact us at 205-874-9730 between 9 am and 4 pm Monday-Friday should you wish to pick up as many as four kits per individual. We will be providing these at no cost until we run out of inventory.
“Ruby is one of a kind and is super fantastic! She is so smart, that I do not even have to tell her what to do, she just does
“Jennifer, the only way that you could have sent anyone better than Amina would be for you to have sent an angel from heaven. She does everything that we ask for and she has kept my spirits up. We laugh all of the time. I don’t want
Let us help your beloved Dad (and Mom) stay healthy, fit and happy in their home.
When you want the best for your loved ones, call Always Best Care!
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
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28 • Thursday, June 2, 2022
Homewood Library Volunteer Wins Library Champion Award for Jefferson County
Homewood resident Virginia Bugg has been recognized with the 2022 Library Champion Award from the Jefferson County Public Library Association.
The award is given to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to libraries and/ or librarianship in Jefferson County.
Bugg was recognized for her support as a Friends of the Homewood Public Library volunteer and library board member. She has volunteered with the friends group for more than a decade, including as president from 2012 to 2016.
She was appointed to the board by the Homewood City Council in 2017 and reappointed in 2021. The five members of the board make up the governing and policymaking body of the library.
Deborah Fout, former library director, nominated Bugg for the award.
“Mrs. Bugg is our library champion,” Fout wrote. “She works with the friends to raise funds for the library. She works with the board to govern the library. Mrs. Bugg always has the best interest of the library at heart and is very thoughtful, thorough and fair in her decisions. Mrs. Bugg is an asset to the Homewood Public Library.”
At the virtual award ceremony April 12, Bugg discussed her love of libraries in her acceptance speech.
“The first public library I remember was a beautiful little wooden building, a former church. Our Homewood library building is a former church. That seems appropriate to me. I have always thought of libraries as holy places because the freedom of expression through good books is a holy thing to me, and public libraries help preserve that freedom. An excellent library like the Homewood Public Library helps define and hold together our community. It’s an honor to help support it.”
Jane Grey Battle, a senior at Mountain Brook High School, has been named a 2022 CocaCola Scholar and will receive a college scholarship of $20,000.
According to a press release from Coca-Cola, less than a fourth of a percent of applicants were chosen to receive the award.
One hundred fifty high school seniors were selected from an initial pool of 68,000-plus applicants from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
As a member of the 34th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, Battle has exemplified superior leadership, service and academics during her high school career, according to the press release.
A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country, including Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States.
With the addition of the 2022 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,600 Coke Scholars nationwide with more than $78 million in scholarships over the course of 34 years.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students but also lifts up those around them,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the foundation. “The CocaCola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, students selected as
Coca-Cola scholars will be welcomed into a family of alumni who, through networking, collaborations and friendships strive to make positive change in the world
Courtesy Virginia Bugg was recognized for her support as a Friends of the Homewood Public Library volunteer and library board member.
Mountain Brook Student Named 2022 Coca-Cola Scholar
Jane Grey Battle
Senior Living Cottages move-in ready August 1, 2022
Introducing the best of modern mountain living in our new Independent Living neighborhood, Cedar Ridge at Kirkwood.
Enjoy active living, convenient services, and first-class amenities in these two-bedroom cottage homes nestled in a com a comfortable, retreat-like setting along the Cahaba River.
