Our Stories - Life is Precious

Catching Memories
Henry Davis

Nov, 2015

Memories are built in the big and little moments of life, and that’s exactly what happened recently with Hospice at Home patient Henry Davis. Henry has ALS and is paralyzed from the neck down, only able to use facial expressions to communicate his needs. He lives at home with his family who provide 24/7 care to him, and he is dependent on a ventilator to breathe and a feeding tube for nourishment. 

With the support of his hospice team, Henry’s family received the training needed to help them transfer Henry from the bed to his electric wheelchair, and the chair was fitted to him for comfort. Although Henry was no longer able to steer his chair independently, he appreciated the opportunity to move around his home and out onto the porch with his family’s help. 

During the summer, Henry’s hospice team continued to explore other ways to improve his quality of life. His family shared that he used to enjoy fishing, and wondered about the possibility of a fishing trip. Henry’s care team met him at home and assisted in transferring him, along with his wheelchair, ventilator, and oxygen into the wheelchair van. Henry was taken to the pier near Tiscornia Beach to fish in the channel, one of his favorite fishing spots.

Henry’s brother, Lonnie, sister, Cookie, and a family friend accompanied him. Within a few minutes of arriving and casting in a line, Henry had a bite! Unfortunately, the only fish he caught was too small to keep, but Henry didn’t seem to mind. He indicated that he was just happy to get out of the house and be out near the river again with friends and family. 

Henry was able to sit out on the pier for about two hours before taking the van back home. His hospice nurse rode with Henry in the van to and from his home, ensuring that he was comfortable. Henry’s family told the nurse that they felt very blessed Hospice at Home could make this trip possible, and that Henry really enjoyed himself.