Everyday Angels would love to provide a glimpse of relief and encouragement to Cathy and her family. If you would like to donate in support of this family, please see the box below. Meanwhile, please keep Cathy and her husband in your prayers for strength and courage during this difficult season.
Dear Everyday Angels:
As a mom of a special needs autistic child who is considered extreme, school days can be a challenge at times. For years, I have loaded my son onto his school bus with other children with similar mental, physical and emotional disabilities, entrusting him in the care of our noble bus driver, Ms. Cathy. Cathy has been driving for Cherokee County for more than 20 years serving special needs students who attend Bascomb and Boston elementary and Woodstock Middle schools. She does much more than transport them to and from school each day. Ms. Cathy goes above and beyond her daily duties and understands the special needs and nuances of each individual child and genuinely cares for them even after the school year ends. She continues to call throughout the summer to check on them and insures that their summer driver understands her student’s individual needs before she enjoys her summer break.
At the beginning of the school year, we learned that Ms. Cathy had been going through a difficult time. Her husband of 20 years had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer and is considered terminal. Unable to endure chemo, he must have a chemo shot once a month to help control the spread of his cancer. Then Cathy began experiencing pain in her right leg and was unable to drive and had to have surgery to repair a blockage. An infection followed which kept her out of work for an extended period of time. Because of her tenure, she had enough funds to get through the holidays. As her family’s sole provider, she cares for our children, her husband and cleans homes on the side. While she lives a simple life, she is having a difficult time paying her bills each month along with the additional costs necessary to care for her husband. Ms. Cathy is not in a good place today as she is challenged physically and emotionally. The bus drivers have taken up a collection in support of one of their own but so much more is needed. I want to reach out to Everyday Angels in hopes that you could share her story with the community so that we may lift up someone who has given so much to our county during her time of need.
Sincerely,
Michelle
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