LOUISA LINDSEY

"I LOVE MY PEOPLE BACK TO HEALTH"

Louisa Lindsey has been called a one woman volunteer service agency. At 70, she has few material possessions and all of her adult life has been devoted to helping the disenfranchised; the displaced person, the homeless, the aged, the handicapped and more than 25 foster children. If one asks her just how many she has helped she says simply, "I've lost count."

Louisa is a member of a disappearing breed; trusting neighbor helping needy neighbor. Those around her say she never says 'no' to anyone, not even when the neighbor is a stranger. The word is out: 'go to Louisa's house if you need help.'

It all started when Louisa's husband died thirty-five years ago and left her with five children on a small farm the in northern Loudon County, Virginia.

One of her first charges was a little baby boy whom doctors said would not live. Thirty-four years later Donnie, a victim of cerebral palsy, is still alive; a totally alert and educated mind trapped in a dysfunctional body. With halting, garbled speech Donnie lets you know how special his adopted mother is; he says, "I am happy. Nobody's got what I got...happiness. I got happiness and love in my heart." Donnie needs constant care and when Louisa works as a nurse two nights a week a neighbor takes over.

Louisa has set up her own farm commune, called New Hope Farm, and on any given day, if you walk into Louisa's cluttered home, you might see half a dozen people ranging in age from eighteen to eighty. Some come for a short period of time while they are getting their lives together while others live out their lives there, being cared for by Louisa.

Louisa sees her nurturing and comfort to those who seek her help and fosterage as simply, "living the gospel."

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