Connie's Story

Connie and her husband, Danny, are lucky to be alive.

After being treated with chemotherapy for two different types of cancer, 61-year-old Connie is in remission. Her husband, Danny, who is 68, battles Multiple Sclerosis. He was nearly killed in a construction accident when a 200-pound load dropped from the top floor of a multistory building and landed on him, leading to 14 surgeries to repair the damage and install metal support pins.

Although Connie is in remission from breast cancer, it was a rough ride, her sister Phyllis said. “We didn’t think she’d make it and my brother-in-law was so bad he could hardly walk.”

Amid the misfortunes and challenges the couple faced, they made a difference in the lives of others by providing foster care for 75 different children. They adopted two of the girls they’d cared for, Dannee and Charlee, and today the girls are active 9- and 12-year-olds.

“Our kids keep us young. They are good kids,” said Connie, who worked for the state for 25 years and was forced to retire early because of side effects from the chemotherapy.

Getting by financially is a challenge. Danny qualifies for Medicare, but Connie is too young and consequently lacks medical insurance. The couple is on a fixed income that is high enough to disqualify them for food stamps and other assistance, but low enough that they struggle to pay bills and afford essentials, as prices for everything from milk to chicken continue rising.

“Now you go to the grocery store and you just can’t afford to buy groceries,” said Connie, who is concerned about predictions that food prices will continue increasing.

At a recent Mobile Food Bank distribution held at West Central Community Center in Spokane, Connie’s family received fresh apples, peaches, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, watermelon, apple chips, bread and other items to help get them through the month.

“We come to the food bank and to Second Harvest (the Mobile Food Bank). They are a godsend, Connie said. “It’s amazing the amount that it saves you on groceries every month. The little extra helps.”

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