In March 2019, the Mississippi River flooded the areas of Quad Cities, Illinois. At one point, the river stage was higher than 20 feet for the first time in many years.
The historic flooding has left many residents trapped inside their homes with no way of getting in or out of their neighborhoods. This is a particular problem for those who depend on medical care and may require medical attention at the drop of a hat.
That is precisely why two hospice nurses are getting so much attention for doing their part to ensure their patients’ needs are met.
Stephanee Peterson and TA Peterson work for Hospice Compassus, which is based in Nashville. Every week, twice a week, Stephanee and TA have been braving the flood waters to deliver medical aid to a patient who needs it more than most. Because of the rising waters, the pair has been tasked with treading through the flood and then hopping on a canoe to boat their way through the patient’s neighborhood.
The patient lives in a flooded home on Campbell’s Island, a piece of land right off the Mississippi River. This time they must walk and take a boat to perform their care – something they’ve never had to do before. The entire trip takes nearly four hours.
This is her home, and this is where she wants to be.
“This shouldn’t be an exception to care, this should be the standard,” Stephanee told WQAD.
Footage provided by WQAD Quad Cities
Source : https://www.littlethings.com/hero-hospice-nurses-canoe/