NORFOLK — “It was very hard.”
Norfolk senior Nancy Edwards had a hard time getting around after complications from a knee replacement surgery.
“That was rough,” Edwards said. "It was rough, it really hurt."
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Her surgery caused complications that made it very difficult for her to walk and get around. And that made her feel isolated and made things a bit more challenging.
Initially Edwards was taking Hampton Roads Transit to get to her physical therapy, but it could only take her so far, and she didn’t have anyone else who could help.
“I used to sit there and cry because I felt, you feel alone when you're you know, you're not feeling good,” said Edwards. “And you don't know who's coming, or somebody's coming over to help you that day or night.”
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That was until Kebe Broadnax got a call she knew she needed to answer.
“She said, 'Yes, I'll be ready at 9:30 I have to be at therapy at 10:00 o'clock. And I need to get there,'” said Broadnax. “So, I said, 'We'll be here.' And that was it. We showed up the very next day.”
As a longtime caregiver, she knew she wanted to do something that called to her.
“It's just in my heart to do, I'm a nurturer,” said Broadnax.
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Broadnax and her husband, Benjamin Sawyer, decided to partner with Seniors Helping Seniors to bring more services to Hampton Roads matching up caregivers with clients in need.
“It means a lot to me. I sometimes have my work phone when I don't even have my personal phone,” said Broadnax. “Because I don't want to miss a call or concern for our clients.”
Nancy Edwards was actually her very first client and the two have since formed a special bond.
“It felt like, like a special angel was watching over me, because it was what I needed,” said Edwards.
And these two ladies don’t just drive together to and from appointments, they also go grocery shopping together and even get their nails done.
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“I said well 'Nancy, I have a great manicurist, I think you would enjoy going come with me,'” said Broadnax. “And so, we went, and I have pictures of us in the nail shop, getting our feet done.”
Even though Nancy was the one who needed someone, she turned out to be the someone Kebe needed too.
“I’m from California," said Broadnax. "And I don't have family here in the Hampton Roads area. So, Nancy, especially, is definitely like family.”
“Now I have consistency,” said Edwards. “And I know that I will be picked up with any new appointment or something and if she ever leaves me, I’ll cry because I love her.”
For that reason and more, News 3 decided to present Kebe with an Everyday Hero Award.
So, if you know someone doing the right thing when no one is looking, let us know! Nominate them for an Everyday Hero Award by emailing us or filling out a form here.
