Hadley – From Afghanistan to Baghdad, she’s known as the ‘Desert Angel.?
In Hadley, she hails as Louise Downs, and to home bound seniors, she’s Aunt Lou.
‘I’m a person that likes to touch lives,? said Downs.
For more than three years Downs has been touching the lives of strangers in the middle eastern deserts, sending care packages to United States soldiers still stationed as sentries for freedom.
‘I want to put a smile on someone’s face and it’s a neat way to touch lives.?
In early November, 2001 Downs began sending care packages to soldiers who were sent to the middle east after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the United States.
As word of the packages spread across the deserts, so, too, did the title of ‘Desert Angel,? given to Downs by soldiers, Brigadier Generals, Air National Guard, Army Rangers and non-service personnel.
‘It just touched my heart,? said Downs.
‘One package lead to another and the whole thing just snowballed,? she added.
At home, Downs has been a personal house keeper for a noted local family. Having cared for the family for many years, Downs recently decided to retire.
‘I did that for a long, long time, but it’s time to retire now that my kids are grown,? Downs said.
‘But I still wanted to do something.?
Instead of retiring, however, Downs will soon be busy personally delivering care packages of her love, comfort, and company.
Downs? goal is to deliver independence, self-sufficiency, self esteem, and dignity to area seniors and physically challenged adults.
‘This is a new area I’m going to venture into,? said Downs.
‘At church I saw a man in is wheel chair, all bent over.?.
‘One day I bent over to talk to him and you know what, James had a lot to say,? said Downs.
Unable to forget the gentleman in the wheelchair, Downs found her next care package recipient.
She has set a new venture to be a provider of services and dedicating her life to providing relief for caregivers, planning activities for, assist in daily living, keeping company of, and tending chores for the home bound adult.
To assist older and or disabled adults in remaining as independent and self sufficient as possible.
‘You have to have a heart for this,? said Downs.
‘It’s not for everyone to stop the world and do this, but I just want to touch someone’s life.?
Downs is ready to give her services as personal caregiver and can be reached at (810) 797-5461.
In the mean time, packages are still being assembled and sent to the middle east, by Downs.