Sam from Arizona Shares Her Heartbreaking Journey of Losing Her Father to COVID-19 and Advocates for Family-Centered Healthcare
TLDR: Sam from Arizona shares her emotional story of losing her father to COVID-19 after he spent over 60 days in ICU. She reflects on the challenges of physical separation during the pandemic, the impact of lockdowns, and her journey towards raising awareness for family-centered holistic healthcare through her nonprofit Speak In Life.
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Welcome to the heartfelt story of Sam from Arizona, who experienced the devastating loss of her father to COVID-19. This narrative is part of the podcast “For Those We Lost,” hosted by Jennifer Sullivan, which shares stories of individuals who have lost loved ones to the pandemic. These stories are candid, emotional, and inspiring, offering insight into the grief and challenges faced by families during these unprecedented times.
The Beginning of the Pandemic and Initial Reactions
Sam first heard about COVID-19 in the fall preceding the pandemic’s widespread impact. Her daughter attended a trilingual charter school, and they had plans to travel to China in September, which were disrupted due to emerging reports about the virus. By March 2020, as tension and worry about COVID-19 grew, Arizona began lockdowns around the third week of March.
Professionally, Sam was affected as well, with many conferences and events being paused or canceled. Her father was living independently in Dewey, Arizona, near Prescott, with her stepmother. The last time Sam saw her father was at her daughter’s birthday in February 2020, a small gathering at a skate park.
Isolation and Physical Separation
Like many, Sam isolated herself to protect her family, especially her mother. She adapted to new ways of connecting, such as visiting her mother at the window of her care facility, wearing masks, and using speakerphone to communicate when physical visits were not possible.
Sam lived in Phoenix, which is about an hour and a half from Dewey, where her father resided. Despite the distance, there was a moment in May when her parents wanted to see her and possibly go to a store together as restrictions eased. Sam declined, prioritizing safety over reunion, a decision she later regretted as it was the last opportunity to see them.
The ICU Battle and Reflection
Sam’s father was admitted to the ICU for over 60 days due to COVID-19. During this time, Sam had many video calls with him, reflecting deeply on the impact of physical separation on her father and the family. The prolonged hospitalization was a period of intense emotional struggle, highlighting the challenges families faced when unable to be physically present with their loved ones.
Advocacy and Founding Speak In Life
Following her father’s passing, Sam channeled her grief into advocacy. She became focused on raising awareness about family-centered holistic healthcare, emphasizing the importance of involving families in the care process and addressing the emotional and physical needs of patients comprehensively.
To further this mission, Sam founded a nonprofit organization called Speak In Life. This organization aims to promote holistic healthcare approaches that consider the family unit and the patient’s overall well-being. The details and resources related to Speak In Life are available in the show notes of the podcast episode.
Conclusion
Sam’s story is a poignant reminder of the personal toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on families worldwide. Her experience underscores the importance of compassionate, family-centered care and the need for continued awareness and support for those affected by the virus.
Her journey from loss to advocacy offers hope and inspiration, encouraging others to share their stories and work towards a more empathetic healthcare system.
These stories are vital in honoring those we have lost and supporting those who continue to grieve.