Chestnut staff are angels

Dear Editor: How quickly a life can change. One moment I’m able bodied, with a good mind and a husband at my side. Then I open my eyes, I’m physically disabled, have a brain injury and I’m a widow.

Ink the blink of an eye I was in the midst of a tragedy and required so much assistance.

I felt I was living someone else’s nightmare. A terrible crash changed the path of what I envisioned for the rest of my days.

I am now residing in Chestnut Place Assisted Living. I was so angry when I first came here. Angry with the world.

Now, after being here for a number of years. I can so thank you. Thank you to Interior Health, mental health, the Brain Injury Society, Penticton and District Society for Community Living and most of all, to God.

I have been so blessed by residing here. The care I have received at Chestnut goes beyond any words I could use to thank the employees here. They all have become angels to me.

I am writing this to convey a very important lesson. Though I have come to accept life as it is and appreciate every day as it comes. Yet if I had not put off the preparation of Advance Directive (living will), Power of Attorney and Will, perhaps the transition into Assisted Living would have happened much sooner and smoother for myself and my children.

I could never, ever wish this pain, confusion and frustration our family went through on any person.

Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today! Kathleen Byard

Penticton