‘A Blessing’: Food delivery helps seriously disabled Laurel woman

October 18, 2021

It’s obvious that Tasha – not her real name – like many of our neighbors we serve — faces adversity with a strong mind and a positive attitude. After all, she’s no stranger to challenges. This 55-year-old Laurel resident has no income and is unable to drive due to serious, chronic health issues. She relies on the Food Bank of Delaware’s weekly delivery to her home for her food.

“I’ve applied for disability,” she said. While she’s waiting, she relies on her part-time home health aide to provide transportation to one of the Food Bank of Delaware’s mobile food pantries. That arrangement works only if her aide’s schedule coincides with the pantry’s. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Until recently, Tasha had been hospitalized at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes and the University of Pennsylvania for about eight months. After she was released, she stayed in a nursing home in Milford for another year and a half.

This former microbiologist now lives with her sister – also disabled – and her brother-in-law who works in order to provide for them. “When he gets off work, the Food Bank in Milford is closed, so we can’t get up there,” she explained.

Her health problems aren’t improving, despite the long hospitalizations. “I’ve had lifelong issues with my back, herniated discs. I was in traction in high school,” Tasha said. “Since I left the nursing home, I’ve had issues with my feet – hypertensive ischemic wounds. It’s not diabetes; it’s very rare. Martorell’s disease. It’s very painful. I made progress in the three weeks at the University of Pennsylvania; my treatment was finished, and I was able to leave,” she said.

Tasha calls the food she receives each week “a blessing,” and although food preparation presents a challenge, she says she enjoys cooking for herself.

To learn more about home delivery options at the Food Bank of Delaware, please click here.