Resident Spotlight:
Lynda Washington
Lynda Washington begins most days leaving her home at Decatur Christian Towers (DCT) with a brisk walk in her Volunteer Uniform to Dekalb Medical Center. An ICU volunteer, she is surrounded daily by disoriented families going through a crisis they never expected. While this might be a chaotic stressful nightmare for many, Lynda finds words to calm and guide them in this hospital setting. With almost 1,500 hours logged as a volunteer at DMC serving various departments, her impact on the delivery of care is truly unmeasurable.
As she celebrates her 71st birthday in 2018, her story has great depths that are seated on a solid, strong foundation. Her beginnings are rooted in Youngstown Ohio, where she grew up, attended Youngstown State University and served the state of Ohio as a Social Worker for over 15 years. There, she met and married her husband, James Washington, with whom she celebrated 52 years of marriage in August. They had 6 children including 5 boys and 1 girl, 13 grandchildren and today have 2 great grandchildren. She is a woman of faith with a strong belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. This gives her strength to share gifts she has received with many who seek her assistance. In 2006, she and James moved into the DCT Senior Living community and began a deep, caring involvement with her neighbors. Over time, Lynda has become that resident who represents the community’s concern with those who required hospitalization, rehabilitative care, and hospice care. In every case she is a consistent visitor, assistant, messenger and positive force. There is no talk of hanging up the tennis shoes when one stops to chat with Lynda. Rather, she is quick to describe the journey to horizons still out in front of her. Having made a trip to West Africa and the country of Liberia in 2009, her plans include a desire to see the Holy Lands. Along with her feet, her hands are active in the DCT community planting flowers in exterior areas contributing to the beauty that expresses the vibrancy she displays from within. |