Saving grace: Area noprofits reach out in time of need
NORWICH – Searching for a silver lining when things go awry can often seem like a moot effort. Looking back on a near death experience and counting all the blessings that came together to make Doreen Rowe's life today a reality couldn't be further from that.
In December of 2013, Rowe suffered a massive cardiac arrest, one that left her in a coma for more than a week. “I thought I had indigestion,” Rowe said, “ but I was going into cardiac arrest.”
Luckily with the saving grace of her 25-year-old daughter, Amy Rowe, Doreen's life was sustained until paramedics could arrive. “After calling 911, Amy performed CPR on me for nearly 23 minutes, she saved my life,” Rowe said.
The ordeal landed Rowe in Wilson Memorial ICU for more than three weeks. Within 24 hours of the incident, her family assembled to be by her side.
Rowe's parents flew into town on the red-eye from Florida, where they live throughout in the winter months. While the couple have a residence in the town of Greene, the home had been winterized and wasn't inhabitable.
“My Parents — who are both in their eighties — flew up north to be by my side with just a suitcase full of clothes and nothing more,” said Rowe “Things were not looking all that great, and they wanted to be here for me.”
Weather conditions at the time were disastrous as well, with more than 20 inches of snow at one point. Said Rowe, “My family had no place to go.”
This is when a nurse at Wilson Memorial informed the family of the Danielle House on Riverside Drive on Binghamton's west side.
Rowe's parents, sister and daughters were told that accommodations were available to them at the Danielle House. The house offers home-like lodging for families whose loved ones are suffering from a serious ailment or medical treatment in the Binghamton area, much like a Ronald McDonald house in larger urban communities.
While the triple cities might not be at the caliber of Buffalo, Albany or New York City, the Danielle House offers much needed comfort to those whose focus is attenuated to their ill loved ones.
Community members from surrounding counties are eligible to utilizes the services of the Danielle House in their time of need, and the organization is nonprofit and charges nothing to aid the temporarily displaced.
“My family was well cared for while they were caring for me. Everyday hot meals were prepared for them when they returned in the evening and breakfast was always ready for them in the morning,” said Rowe.
The typical stay for families at the house ranges anywhere from three to seven days, according to Rowe. “My family members were there for a total of 21 days,” said Rowe. “The staff really went above and beyond.”
In the days since her ailment, Rowe has been approached by numerous members of the community who have heard her incredible story. “They tell me that they never knew about the Danielle House and what they do for our community all the way up here in Chenango County,” said Rowe. “I tell them that folks from the Norwich area use it all the time.”
Funding for the continued operation of the Danielle House is made possible though the generous donations of charitable organizations both in Broome county and elsewhere.
In Chenango County, The Chenango United Way (CUW) annually allocates thousands of dollars to assist in supporting the Danielle House.
“The Chenango United Way is pleased that we've been able to partner with The Danielle House for several years to fill the unmet needs of community members when they need it most,” said CWU Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco. “This is one of those programs that any one of us could find ourselves relying on at a moments notice and our board is very aware of that,” she added.
“This truly is something that was completely unexpected,” said Rowe who has faithfully supported the United Way though payroll deduction for over a decade. “I never in a million years thought that I would be the one having to rely on others for assistance — thank goodness that safety net was there for my family and I when we needed it. It relieved so much stress during my healing an recovery process,” she said.
Presently, the Chenango United Way is wrapping up it's annual campaign, raising much needed funding it uses to support programs such as the Danielle House. While the campaign ends on December 31, community members are encouraged help the United Way reach it's goal of $421,000 — of which 90 percent has been secured.
For more information, visit daniellehouse.org and chenangouw.org.
In December of 2013, Rowe suffered a massive cardiac arrest, one that left her in a coma for more than a week. “I thought I had indigestion,” Rowe said, “ but I was going into cardiac arrest.”
Luckily with the saving grace of her 25-year-old daughter, Amy Rowe, Doreen's life was sustained until paramedics could arrive. “After calling 911, Amy performed CPR on me for nearly 23 minutes, she saved my life,” Rowe said.
The ordeal landed Rowe in Wilson Memorial ICU for more than three weeks. Within 24 hours of the incident, her family assembled to be by her side.
Rowe's parents flew into town on the red-eye from Florida, where they live throughout in the winter months. While the couple have a residence in the town of Greene, the home had been winterized and wasn't inhabitable.
“My Parents — who are both in their eighties — flew up north to be by my side with just a suitcase full of clothes and nothing more,” said Rowe “Things were not looking all that great, and they wanted to be here for me.”
Weather conditions at the time were disastrous as well, with more than 20 inches of snow at one point. Said Rowe, “My family had no place to go.”
This is when a nurse at Wilson Memorial informed the family of the Danielle House on Riverside Drive on Binghamton's west side.
Rowe's parents, sister and daughters were told that accommodations were available to them at the Danielle House. The house offers home-like lodging for families whose loved ones are suffering from a serious ailment or medical treatment in the Binghamton area, much like a Ronald McDonald house in larger urban communities.
While the triple cities might not be at the caliber of Buffalo, Albany or New York City, the Danielle House offers much needed comfort to those whose focus is attenuated to their ill loved ones.
Community members from surrounding counties are eligible to utilizes the services of the Danielle House in their time of need, and the organization is nonprofit and charges nothing to aid the temporarily displaced.
“My family was well cared for while they were caring for me. Everyday hot meals were prepared for them when they returned in the evening and breakfast was always ready for them in the morning,” said Rowe.
The typical stay for families at the house ranges anywhere from three to seven days, according to Rowe. “My family members were there for a total of 21 days,” said Rowe. “The staff really went above and beyond.”
In the days since her ailment, Rowe has been approached by numerous members of the community who have heard her incredible story. “They tell me that they never knew about the Danielle House and what they do for our community all the way up here in Chenango County,” said Rowe. “I tell them that folks from the Norwich area use it all the time.”
Funding for the continued operation of the Danielle House is made possible though the generous donations of charitable organizations both in Broome county and elsewhere.
In Chenango County, The Chenango United Way (CUW) annually allocates thousands of dollars to assist in supporting the Danielle House.
“The Chenango United Way is pleased that we've been able to partner with The Danielle House for several years to fill the unmet needs of community members when they need it most,” said CWU Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco. “This is one of those programs that any one of us could find ourselves relying on at a moments notice and our board is very aware of that,” she added.
“This truly is something that was completely unexpected,” said Rowe who has faithfully supported the United Way though payroll deduction for over a decade. “I never in a million years thought that I would be the one having to rely on others for assistance — thank goodness that safety net was there for my family and I when we needed it. It relieved so much stress during my healing an recovery process,” she said.
Presently, the Chenango United Way is wrapping up it's annual campaign, raising much needed funding it uses to support programs such as the Danielle House. While the campaign ends on December 31, community members are encouraged help the United Way reach it's goal of $421,000 — of which 90 percent has been secured.
For more information, visit daniellehouse.org and chenangouw.org.
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