Recently some of TJBF team traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to meet with experts in both the Heart Failure and Hospitality House fields. Our Board President Lillian shared these thoughts on Facebook after our trip, and we thought you'd be keen to hear:
Have you ever sat in a place and had a moment when you say how did I get here? One that shakes your core being and for a moment in time everything seems like you are in a different time zone than the rest of what is happening around you? I found myself just in that place, just the other day. Recently I was given the opportunity to sit with members of The Joe Beretta Foundation (TJBF) and three different organizations in Pittsburgh, PA who like us are trying to bring solutions to families going through the difficult journey of extreme heart failure.
At each meeting I was kind of having out of body experiences and looking at what was happening from a different viewpoint. First, I was struck with how much real empathy and compassion was in the room. Interestingly in today’s world it takes many people working together to bring help to someone in a real dire circumstance. I was so proud of our team as each one spoke and shared, knowing that what they do through, and for TJBF they do sacrificially without pay yet do so willingly.
Secondly, each meeting seemed like a first date where you’re interested in connecting but are shy of each other and aren’t sure where the whole thing is headed. But very quickly into each meeting the dancing started and the steps were undeniably compatible. We realized we had been dancing the same dance only miles apart.
Third I was struck, once again, with the need but even more profoundly. What we experienced as a family is happening repeatedly everywhere. Our story is not an isolated case but a fluid ongoing trial happening right now to many families. I saw the look on the faces of the doctors and VAD team specialists, as well as innovators in the VAD world, and housing teams which say, we can help, we want to help, help us help others. I am sure we were mirroring the same look to them as well.
Last of all, I was struck with how grateful I am to all of you who have stood beside us; volunteered time, given financially, offered advice and ideas, made opportunities to tell our story happen, and mostly opened the doors for us to help families. We are helping our 20th family now in Nashville, which is amazing, but after these meetings I see now more than ever the need to help so many more. Thank you, and I am not ashamed to say help us help others. You’re the best! My prayers are with you, prayers of life, hope, rest and peace to you and yours.
Recently some of TJBF team traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to meet with experts in both the Heart Failure and Hospitality House fields. Our Board President Lillian shared these thoughts on Facebook after our trip, and we thought you'd be keen to hear:
Have you ever sat in a place and had a moment when you say how did I get here? One that shakes your core being and for a moment in time everything seems like you are in a different time zone than the rest of what is happening around you? I found myself just in that place, just the other day. Recently I was given the opportunity to sit with members of The Joe Beretta Foundation (TJBF) and three different organizations in Pittsburgh, PA who like us are trying to bring solutions to families going through the difficult journey of extreme heart failure.
At each meeting I was kind of having out of body experiences and looking at what was happening from a different viewpoint. First, I was struck with how much real empathy and compassion was in the room. Interestingly in today’s world it takes many people working together to bring help to someone in a real dire circumstance. I was so proud of our team as each one spoke and shared, knowing that what they do through, and for TJBF they do sacrificially without pay yet do so willingly.
Secondly, each meeting seemed like a first date where you’re interested in connecting but are shy of each other and aren’t sure where the whole thing is headed. But very quickly into each meeting the dancing started and the steps were undeniably compatible. We realized we had been dancing the same dance only miles apart.
Third I was struck, once again, with the need but even more profoundly. What we experienced as a family is happening repeatedly everywhere. Our story is not an isolated case but a fluid ongoing trial happening right now to many families. I saw the look on the faces of the doctors and VAD team specialists, as well as innovators in the VAD world, and housing teams which say, we can help, we want to help, help us help others. I am sure we were mirroring the same look to them as well.
Last of all, I was struck with how grateful I am to all of you who have stood beside us; volunteered time, given financially, offered advice and ideas, made opportunities to tell our story happen, and mostly opened the doors for us to help families. We are helping our 20th family now in Nashville, which is amazing, but after these meetings I see now more than ever the need to help so many more. Thank you, and I am not ashamed to say help us help others. You’re the best! My prayers are with you, prayers of life, hope, rest and peace to you and yours.