Joan Landon

raf.jpg (26500 bytes) Recovery
Awareness
Foundation

Joan Landon

HI! We are the Landons of Atlantic, Virginia. Our home is located on the Eastern Shore about 90 miles north of Virginia Beach. Michele’s accident happened just five miles from our home on a long, deserted stretch of road coming off of Chincoteague, Island. She was alone in her vehicle, but with luck and God’s grace – her cousin Julie Taylor and a friend, Elton Reed, were driving in a car behind her. Julie stayed with Michele while Elton went to get help. It has been four long years now of recovery – but she has made big strides, and continues to show progress with each passing day! Our own recovery as her primary caregivers has also been a struggle. There have been many times when I didn’t think we would be able to hold our relationship together, or continue to enjoy a sane life! The struggles a caregiver has to face are without a doubt the most stressful encounters I have had to endure. Our social life came to screeching halt, our home became a prison, and I have had to fight many battles with bureaucracy in order to get Michele the care and the chance to recover that she deserved. Our finances, like most other caregivers finances, took a leap out the window, Once we were prepared for the future, we now find ourselves trying to recover it!

Working, as a primary caregiver has by far been the hardest job I have tackled – but as a mother it is a job I would have never missed. The alternative to my child living with a brain injury would have been for her to not to live at all! Given a choice – I would have never changed the outcome! Not every parent can say they feel as if God has given them a second chance to raise a child. Yet that is just how I feel – as if God gave Michele to me twice to teach, cherish, and enjoy! My families’ own personal struggles through this experience have been the motivation that prompted me to found the Recovery Awareness Foundation. It is my desire and fervent wish that we can reach out to those of you who feel lost, forgotten, tired, and financially drained! If only to seek a listening ear, or to try and find answers to some of your questions. I hope you will contact us. We will do our best to aid you in a Joint Effort to help you Hang onto a Healthy Life and SURVIVE!

Joan Landon
Michele's Mom

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