Published: August 17, 2009 08:04 pm      

Quick to smile

Ashlander enjoys sharing her positive outlook, laugh with others despite battling various health conditions

ASHLAND — By the grace of God,” is Martha George’s mantra.

A devout Catholic and Ashland native, the 36-year-old doesn’t dwell on her own pain and suffering but accepts it and tries to live each day to the fullest.

George suffers from several chronic illnesses including, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and gastroparesis. As a result of her illnesses she is unable to walk or to leave her home because of a weakened immune system.

Despite these challenges, George is quick to smile and has an infectious laugh. Instead of dwelling on her pain, she finds joy each day.

Perhaps the greatest source of her joy is a 2-year-old Applehead Chihuahua named Bobby Lee. George calls him “the love of her life.”

“He has been such a good companion,” she says.

It’s clear Bobby Lee agrees. Dressed in a bright yellow shirt and sporting a dog tag declaring him the Best Dressed Dog of 2009, Bobby is undoubtedly pampered and loved by George.

A collection of clothes for Bobby Lee — the scope and variety of which any teenage girl would be jealous — hangs neatly on the back of George’s bedroom door. Dog collars of various colors and fabrics are also neatly organized on an adjacent wall.

Bobby Lee seems to return the doting affection George shows him the best way he knows how: being a dedicated companion and guard dog.

Attentive and protective of his owner, Bobby Lee was nicknamed Ferocious by the home health nurses who come often to help care for George because of his tendency to bark and attempt to bite at anyone who gets near her.

“He is very protective of me,” says George. “He lays beside me and when I’m in my wheelchair he’s in the back of me,” she said. “He’s sweet, but again he’s mean. He gives home health a run for their money.”

George, a 1991 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School, was once a caregiver before becoming ill. It was a job she gravitated toward because of her desire to help people.

As the oldest of her parents’ three children, she once helped her mother care for her younger brother, Joey, who had muscular dystrophy. Joey, whom George describes as “the light of our lives,” died from the illness at age 17.

George says caring for her brother helped to prepare her to deal with her own illness and be a gracious recipient of the help she needs each day.

“It is hard, having to have someone to depend on. It’s hard to depend on someone. It’s not fun,” she said, “It’s not easy, but by the grace of God I get through it. I have my mom and dad, I don’t know what I would do without them.”

George does harbor some discontent for the current health care system. She said a slow diagnosis of her gastroparesis exasperated the complications and diminished her quality of life.

It took more than a decade and dozens of physicians before one could explain the cause of her prolonged sickness. Then, George said, she still faced obstacles to care.

Some doctors simply refused to continue treating her. Others treated her not as a person but an illness.

“The doctors need to doctor the patient instead of the illness,” she says.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.