telling stories that matter
By Susan Flansburg
I met Michele last week during an interview for a client’s end-of-year appeal letter. We had a lively phone conversation, full of laughter.
The laughter ended, though, as she shared her story. It was why I had called her.
As a fundraising writer for nonprofits like Iowa CareGivers, I interview people like Michele. I tell their stories with compassion, truth, and respect. I help make their stories matter to other people, people who might care enough to help.
(Here’s more information about my fundraising communications work.)
Michele’s story
Michele was driving home from work one lovely mid-March evening. She had just begun her new job at a garden center.
The weather down in southern Iowa had been fine that day, and customers had been excited to select their plants.
But the sun was setting now, and - if you know Iowa, you already know this - the temperature was drifting back down into winter.
She was thinking about her new job.
She was thinking about what she would make for dinner.
She never saw the patch of newly forming black ice.
Michele Meadors, 43, skidded, flipped into a ditch, and broke her back.
She woke to the sound of the jaws of life sawing through the wreckage, and thought, This is bad.
That was back in 2011, but Michele’s ordeal is far from over. Now quadriplegic, she must rely on others for her care. Any slip in her schedule can cause untold suffering.
Which is exactly what happened a month ago, when the woman she paid to provide her care snuck out in the middle of the night, carting Michele’s phone, money and water bottle with her.
Michele was trapped in her bed for 20 hours before someone finally checked on her.
Her voice was so damaged by all the shouting she did, trying to get someone’s attention, that it’s still raspy.
She said she went to a very dark place that day.
I wrote Michele’s story for Iowa CareGivers’ year-end appeal, so it was a job. But it was also a lesson in perspective.
My job is to help make stories like Michele’s matter. To help make their experiences matter.
They will always matter to me.
For help with your donor communications, contact me.
A final note: Michele’s disability is severe. While she can move her arms, she cannot use her fingers. She can’t comb her hair, apply her mascara, or brush her teeth. She is at constant risk for life-threatening complications (and has been hospitalized many times since her accident.) Nevertheless, with the help of competent and dedicated caregivers, Michele lives an active and full life. She works with at-risk youth at the YMCA, advocates tirelessly for persons with disabilities, and maintains an active social schedule, as you can see in the above photo!
If you are moved to learn more - or to donate to a cause we all will need someday - visit Iowa CareGivers!