Meet David Stettler
Artman
“This experience left a lasting impression on me. It was a demonstration of the kind of caring support my parents would receive on a daily basis. They were both quickly won over by everything and everyone.”
For the past several years, I have been very fortunate to serve on Liberty Lutheran’s board and on several of its committees. My involvement with Liberty as a donor is based on my first-hand experience, particularly with Artman and Liberty Hospice.
As my parents entered their later years, it became clear that their needs required an increased amount of support. They were always very independent, but with my mother’s declining health and my father suffering a knee injury, we began to look for a community that could meet their needs and provide the comforts of home.
The initial visit to Artman with my parents was unique. It demonstrated the extent to which compassion and care are a hallmark of Liberty’s family of services.
As we traveled to the community, my mother experienced a minor seizure. After a few minutes she recovered and my parents insisted we continue the journey.
When we arrived we explained what happened. Although she wasn’t a resident, the caregivers immediately met and examined her to see if there were any obvious signs of distress that needed to be addressed.
This experience left a lasting impression on me. It was a demonstration of the kind of caring support my parents would receive on a daily basis. They were both quickly won over by everything and everyone.
The care my parents received was a blessing. Following my mother’s passing, my father received a tremendous amount of support. He really enjoyed being at Artman. When I think back, I can’t help smiling at some of my father’s experiences.
One of his favorite activities was bingo. At Artman the residents played for a quarter during each game. He must have been very good or very lucky, because there would be times I’d visit him or pick him up and he would have a large plastic bag full of quarters. He’d always have a smile on his face and tell me to pass the bag along to my daughter for the college laundry.
There was always plenty for Dad to do in the community and during their community outings. To this day I still have pictures of him during a trip to the shore, and another of him feeding a baby bird. These photos were taken for family members by Artman’s staff, which to me demonstrates the care and consideration they extend to everyone.
Later, during his final days, Dad was placed on hospice. Staff and residents alike would stream in to visit him. You could tell they cared. Most importantly, the comfort and dignity he received from Liberty Hospice was moving.
I give to Liberty because I know the impact its family of services makes – not just for residents, clients, and members, but for the families who place their trust in our communities.
