Acts of Kindness
Dementia patient had no family members on record until nurse digs up her past making 17 yr old discovery
Against all odds, nurse Susan Franco dug up the woman's past.
D.G. Sciortino
07.30.20

Nurses are a special order of Earth angels.

Not only do they care for our health but some also go out of their way to try and heal our souls in addition to our bodies.

So, when Anthony Bookert thinks of Susan Franco, a nurse at Chippenham Hospital in Virginia, he sees an angel that’s only disguised as a nurse.

sathish_artisanz
Source:
sathish_artisanz

Franco is a nurse that cared for his mother and went out of her way to unite them after 17 years apart.

“It’s a blessing. And I’m so thankful for Ms. Susan Franco,” Bookert told CBS News. “I truly feel in my heart God works in mysterious ways.”

As part of Nurses' Week, our very own Susan Franco at Chippenham was interviewed by CBS News regarding her assistance in…

Posted by Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Hospitals onFriday, May 8, 2020

“Not our timing, but his timing, you know what I mean? For her to give me that call, it’s overwhelming. It all happened the way it happened. Man, it touched me. It really touched me.”

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

Bookert became separated from his mother Gail when he was a child due to health complications.

They lost touch in 2003 and Gail developed dementia after that.

Gail was living in a group home and would often end up as a patient at Chippenham Hospital.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

That’s how Franco and Gail became acquainted.

After seeing Gail in the hospital so many times, Franco was determined to try and track down Gail’s family.

It was originally thought by hospital staff that Gail had no family. But that didn’t sit right with Franco.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

She took the time to take a closer look at Gail’s files and found contact information for one of her four children.

That child was Bookert who said he was “astonished” to hear from Franco.

“I never thought I would get that call because it had been so long since I’ve seen her,” Bookert said.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

“When she called me, I just was happy to find out she was alive, honestly.”

Bookert was extremely grateful that he got to reconnect with his mother thanks to Franco.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

But Franco says she was just doing her job.

“We make calls all the time to family members. So, it was just something we do on a routine basis,” Franco said.

According to Franco, God was just doing his job too.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

“I feel the same way he [Bookert] does that God does things on his timing and I’m just so glad I could be a part of that,” Franco said.

Coronavirus restrictions have kept Bookert from being able to visit his mom in person but they have been chatting on the phone with the help of the hospital’s nurses, including Franco.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

He’s also been able to deliver items to Gail by dropping them off at the hospital with Franco.

Bookert says he is looking forward to when restrictions lift so that he and his family can visit Gail in person.

He’s also looking into finding her a long-term care facility. In the meantime, Bookert says he’s just grateful for nurses like Franco.

Facebook Screenshot/Uplift
Source:
Facebook Screenshot/Uplift

“I just want to thank everyone, all the nurse out there, who are doing what they’re doing with their job, and going out and beyond what they do to help people,” Bookert said.

Bookert’s and Franco’s story ended up going viral during National Nurses Week which was between May 6 to May 12. Learn more about this loving reunion in the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.




Article Sources:
To learn more read our Editorial Standards.
Advertisement