Long-timers: Vircy Evans: from resident to resident advocate.

Long timers come in many forms--from administrator to support staff. But, there is another, seldom-seen side to the long-timer coin--the long time resident.

Today, Vircy evans, 90, is independent, but she hasn't always been. Since birth, she has had to face many obstacles in her life's path. Through out childhood, she endured multiple surgeries to correct a doublt-harelip birth defect. The surgeries left her with improved, but still impaired, speech, along with facial damage. She also was a victim of childhood physical and mental abuse and, as a result, felt lonely and alienated. Through it all, she maintained a positive outlook by setting goals. In 1961, she graduated from high school, only to find another hurble awating her.

Because of her speech difficulties, she couldn't find a job. "I struggled to find my niche in life," says Evans, "but that didn't happen until I enrolled in vocational rehabilitation and graduated as an LPN." Shortly thereafter, in 1963, she began working in a hospital and later, 1968, went on staff at a nursing home. But again, just as life was sorting itself out, another hurdle appeared.

Because of sudden, unexplained seizures that left her paralyzed and with a permanent tracheotomy, by 1978, Evans could no longer work at a nursing home, instead, she lived in one. "I had to face the heartbreaking fact that I would never be a nurse again, and I was told that I would never walk again," she recalls. As a result, she is quite familiar with both sides of the nursing home setting and, because she has had to relocate to different homes--eight times--for various reasons, she has experienced firsthand the differences in the quality of care among nursing homes.

"I have been receiving physical and occupational therapy for more than 20 years," says Evans. "Through physical therapy, I learned to feed, bathe, and dress myself; I also learned how to transfer myself safely. I increased my ability to maintain my mental capacities by doing occupational therapy projects and mentally-stimulating exercises like crossword puzzles and word searches." Evans credits her education training and experience as an LPN for her ability to continue the independently.

While Evans was a resident of Life Care Center of Orange Park, in Orange Park, Florida, her compassion for fellow residents led her to take up volunteerism. With her strong faith and optimistic attitude; she visited other residents, delivered their mail, ran interdepartmental errands for staff, and served as the resident greeter for new admission. She also served as Resident Council president.

"Residents were comfortable with me because I was one of them says Evans late the same food lived in the same type of room and was cared for by the same staff. People let me know What bothered them; and I tried to help."

Beyond all this activity the irrepressible Evans envisioned productive future for herself Realizing the need to continue her education Evans, With help from the state's vocational rehabilitation department, enrolled in the Workforce Program at St. John's River Community College--Orange Park (Florida) campus With a Medical Office Systems major or Despite her strong determination, this Was not a simple undertaking. To pursue her degree while living in a nursing home, she needed--and received--a computer to complete assigned Internet projects. She needed to line up a wheelchair van to transport her to and from school and: because her condition makes writing painful, she had to find a physical condition volunteer to take lecture notes for her.

All of this was possible because, along with her intense desire to achieve her goal Evans had the support of a dedicated rehab staff Life Care Center's Amy-Davis, RTP, acknowledges Evans focus and determination. "When she began therapy Davis says she was unable to ambulate or move her extremities. She needed extensive two-person assistance because of tremors with involuntary muscle movements and general motor weakness." Beginning her journey to mobility on parallel bars, Evans gradually transitioned to a walker. Davis points out that although she had periodic setbacks Evans couldn't be dissuaded: front her goal of walking with crutches "We were concerned that her hopes would be destroyed, but Vircy's determination proved us wrong," says Davis.

Graduating from the Workforce Program in June 2001 Evans postponed her commencement May 2002 until so she could continue her therapy with the help of two restorative aides and walk (with the aid of crutches) down the moved to aisle to receive her diploma. Since then, Evans has handicapped-equipped unit in a HUD apartment complex and credits the Life Care Center for providing her with the "know-how" to make this possible.

As she explores her career options Evans remains an advocate for the elderly disadvantaged disabled and nursing home-bound. She connects with Florida congressmen and local government representatives via e mail, expressing the concerns of this underrepresented group I am a nursing home specialist," says Evans "I listen to resident grievances and/or compalints and help solve them I tell people about federal, state, and local agencies that can help them if I can't Most folks just need an understanding ear. Maybe I can be the 'Dear Vircy' for the nursing home setting!"

What drives her? "So many people just give up on life," says Evans. "I'd like to influence, inspire, and encourage them not to. We have our problems, but the world is still a wonderful place, and we need to help ourselves and each other.

"I still have dreams" reflects Evans. "With God 's help I'd like to own a large motel like property to shelter the less fortunate and help them keep their independence."

If that's what Vircy wants chances are there is a property out there just waiting for her to find it.

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