Conquering Martha’s Mountain

By Karen Daniels

Martha had lived in the home she inherited from her father for many years. A retired schoolteacher, she enjoyed a peaceful life with her daughter, Ally, who has lived with significant support needs for nearly 40 years. Like any family, they faced challenges from time to time, but they always moved forward with optimism. Martha often said, “a positive attitude will make you; a negative attitude will break you.”

That positivity carried her far—until she became seriously ill with COVID, which led to pneumonia. Her doctor admitted her to the hospital, and her recovery was slow and difficult. Just when she seemed to improve, another setback would occur. Eventually, Martha was sent to short-term rehabilitation—far from her home. When her condition worsened, she was sent back to the hospital and later transferred to yet another rehab facility.

Months passed before Martha was well enough to begin regaining control of her life, and she was heartbroken to see how much had fallen behind at home. Although Ally managed her daily routines well, she had never been responsible for running a household or paying bills—and they had accumulated quickly.

CORD first met Martha while she was still in the nursing home. Working alongside partner organizations, CORD helped Martha and Ally sort through, negotiate, and finally resolve the overwhelming stack of debt. CORD also helped Martha strengthen her self-advocacy skills by teaching her how to research services, compare options, and recognize potential scams.

By Christmas, Martha was finally home—able to celebrate not only the holiday, but her renewed health and stability. She now has the support she needs, a clearer understanding of how to get help when challenges arise, and a few new friends who stood with her through the hardest moments. Martha’s determination and resilience were the driving forces behind her recovery. As she reminded us all: “A positive attitude is what makes you.”

If you are in a nursing home and face barriers returning home, call CORD. We can help.
508-775-8300.

Name changed to protect privacy.