Joan Griffin Lived Her Best Life Thanks to Support From Washington Health System

It was fall of 1996 when Joan Griffin began to experience bouts of dizziness. Her driving became impaired, leading to automobile accidents. Walking became difficult, and Joan’s once meticulous handwriting became messy. Her soft voice became a whisper, and difficulty swallowing left her not wanting to eat. She didn’t understand how she could go from being active and independent to needing assistance to manage basic daily tasks. She wanted answers.

Joan received those answers after a visit to the National Institutes of Health, where she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA.) MSA affects autonomic functions like breathing, blood pressure, and motor control and shares characteristics with Parkinson’s disease. With no cure and a poor prognosis, Joan’s son Bob encouraged her to rest, but she had other plans.

Not long after her diagnosis, Joan learned of WHS’s Parkinson’s support group. She started attending meetings and felt encouraged by the fellowship of others facing similar challenges. The friendships she developed and the laughs she shared were just as therapeutic as learning healthy tips and techniques to manage symptoms.

Joan received excellent care and attention from her primary physician, WHS Internal Medicine physician James Krebs, MD, who managed her disease progression. She received physical therapy at WHS Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, which slowed her muscle and motor skill loss. As her illness progressed, the staff at Donnell House provided her with end-of-life care.

In 2002, Joan returned home once more with Bob and his sister by her side. “She passed with peace, dignity and love,” Bob says. “We were extremely fortunate to have WHS there for Mom and for us every step of our journey.”

Including Washington Health System Foundation in your estate plan makes the type of compassionate care that Joan experienced possible. Quality of life matters deeply to patients and families, no matter where a patient is in their healthcare journey. Contact Sara Schumacher at (724) 223-3875 or sschumacher@whs.org to discuss how your legacy can impact patients far into the future.