Featuring Debra, a dedicated caregiver and partner with Conversations to Remember (C2R), who helps connect the seniors in her care to weekly student conversations that brighten their days.
A Life Built on Empathy and Action
Debra spends her days in constant motion; she is always busy helping someone. With an undergraduate degree in Recreational Therapy and a background focused on lowering A1C levels in diabetics, she has built her life around one central purpose: helping others live fully, regardless of the obstacles they face.
She specializes in type 1 diabetes care, using exercise and compassion to empower patients to manage their health with confidence. But Debra doesn’t stop at medicine—her work extends far beyond the tangible, creating space for understanding, encouragement, and, most importantly, joy.
The Source of Resilience
Debra’s deep passion for helping others began at a young age. As a high school senior, she was heartbroken when her crush, Steven, passed away after a battle with cancer. In that moment, Debra realized her purpose: to keep people smiling and bring joy into their lives.
Her own story of resilience started even earlier. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age seven and later told she might be blind by 21, Debra knew she had to learn how to adapt, find balance, and live every day with gratitude. Recalling the moment her mother threw her into the pool at seven, she realized she was strong—strong enough to handle any challenge that came her way.
A Daily Dose of Gratitude
Getting up every morning can be difficult, especially working so closely with patients, including those in hospice care. Still, Debra reminds herself—and others—to “get up on the right side of the grass” and to “find a smile” every day.
Her optimism and energy are contagious. She chooses gratitude over frustration, laughter over fear. This positivity is infectious to her coworkers and the seniors she cares for, and it’s the reason people admire her. Debra’s positive attitude has carried her through decades of teaching, caregiving, and healing—reminding those around her that life is precious and that humor can be the best medicine.
Empowerment, Equality, and Her Support Circle
Debra brings a strong belief in independence and equality into her caregiving—empowering patients and seniors alike to embrace change, adapt, and live without limits. As she puts it, no matter a person’s gender or race, everyone should have the freedom to live as they choose because, at the end of the day, “we all bleed red.”
Outside of her professional world, Debra fills her life with love, starting with her four-legged companion, Panda—a therapy dog adored by everyone he meets. She also finds strength and support from her other family members, like her son, who is currently studying for a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. (And for fun: she loves swimming, skiing, watching Ghostbusters and Hocus Pocus, and attending Oktoberfest—making October her favorite month!)
Connecting Seniors Through C2R
In addition to her role as a dedicated caregiver, Debra partners directly with Conversations to Remember to bring weekly connection to the seniors she supports. Currently, ten of her residents participate in the program, and each week, Debra personally helps them join their video calls with college students.
Many of her residents are older adults who struggle with technology or isolation. Yet once the calls begin, laughter fills the room. “They start smiling and look forward to these calls,” Debra says. The conversations are always light and friendly, which is why the program has become a favorite.
The impact is profound. Seniors who once sat silently now giggle about celebrity gossip, swap stories about pets, and share recipes with their online friends. Through these simple, weekly connections, they find community and laughter—all through a computer screen.
Smiling on the Grass
Debra’s life is proof that resilience and joy can coexist. From facing her own health challenges to helping others find laughter in unexpected places, she continues to live her philosophy: to find a smile each day. Her positive attitude leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets, embracing differences, spreading warmth, and reminding us all that there’s always a reason to smile.
