This is LeRoy & Cheryl’s Story
Mr. LeRoy was a vibrant man and loving father with a larger than life personality. After four years in the army, he became a conductor in the New York subway system by day and was master of ceremonies, tap dancer and jazz aficionado in clubs all over Harlem by night. He was known by so many greats – Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday to name a few.
When Mr. LeRoy was given a prognosis of three months to live, he told his daughter, Cheryl, that he wanted to spend his final days in the comfort of his own home. Cheryl put her career on hold and became his primary caregiver. Eventually his needs became so great that she reached out to us for help.
Cheryl found that our visits fueled her dad’s spirit. Despite difficulty breathing, he would sing along and tap his feet when our music therapists sang jazz standards with him. And knowing how proud he was of being a veteran, we coordinated a ceremony that included some of his Army buddies, friends and family to thank him for his service during WWII. Cheryl was so grateful to build these new memories and spend precious time with him.
When Cheryl looked back at this time with her father, she said, “I can’t say enough about the amazing care my father received and how they helped me navigate this challenging time. Thanks to MJHS, I have the comfort of knowing my father lived his last days to their fullest. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
Our music therapy and veteran services are only possible thanks to philanthropic support from donors like you. Thank you for helping us provide compassionate, expert care for our patients and their families.
