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| Client Profiles |
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Our clients are a diverse group
of individuals and families living across Eastern Massachusetts
that have a number of different life-threatening illnesses
and dietary conditions. Here are some profiles of clients
that agreed to share their stories: |
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Marcella
is a 36 year old mother ill with AIDS.
She and her 16 year old son are currently living in a motel
with no access to any cooking or food storage facilities.
Marcella is a victim of domestic violence and though the temporary
housing is not ideal, it does help her stay ahead of her abuser.
Prior to Community Servings, a large portion of Marcella’s
income was going towards fast food meals for her and her son.
Now, they have nutritious meals that will move with them as
needed. Marcella currently resides in the North Shore area.
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| Sarah
is a 38 year old woman with Lupus,
a chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that causes the immune
system to attack the body's own tissue and organs. She currently
needs a liver transplant and has severe fatigue. She has been
hospitalized three times in the last three months. She lives
in Winthrop with her husband, 6 year old daughter and 4 year
old son. As Sarah has stated, Community Servings meals help
her devote the little energy she has to spending time with her
children, rather than cooking and preparing meals. |
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Jasper
is 47 and is currently in the hospital. He lives alone and has
been too tired to shop and cook for himself because of dialysis
treatments. As a result, he has been eating highly processed,
high-sodium foods that exacerbate his kidney failure and diabetes.
Jasper will begin receiving meals from Community Servings upon
his release from the hospital. This will enable him to continue
with treatment while ensuring that his nutritional well-being
and health improve. |
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| Martha
has stage 3 breast cancer
and renal failure. Martha
is our first breast cancer client and has been with us since
February 2004. She is a 53 year old African American woman living
in Mattapan with her three children ages 16, 15 and 10. When
she first joined our meals service, she had lost 30 pounds in
the previous few months. She was often fatigued and would not
eat. When she did eat, she reported eating very little. For
example, she would have peaches for dinner. Martha is unable
to work due to her illness and supports her family on her monthly
Social Security check. Martha is served a special renal, bland
diet and her three children receive regular meals. |
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