69-year-old with MS inspires GR community

The cold temperatures and rainfall didn’t dampen the spirit of Carolyn DeVries, a 69-year-old Covenant Village of the Great Lakes resident who had trained all summer to walk with the Team World Vision (TWV) in the 2017 Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon + Half on Oct. 15 in Grand Rapids. She crossed the finish line with her family and community members at her side and raised $3,945, surpassing her goal of $3,500 for World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization that provides clean water to communities in Africa. The money raised will provide at least 79 children/people with clean water for life.

Carolyn lives with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. She’s been training for the half-marathon since May with the help of her granddaughter Ashley, her neighbors, a team of therapists and doctors, and the staff at Covenant Village. No matter the distance, her age, or her MS diagnosis, Carolyn was determined to participate in the race. “I’m going to do this while I can,” Carolyn had explained, “or while I can at least attempt it.”

“This was a step of faith and a challenge for me to strengthen my legs and my endurance,” explained Carolyn, who learned about World Vision through First Evangelical Covenant Church in Grand Rapids. “My passion is for meeting needs of older adults and people with special needs. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to do something good for someone else, while at the same time pushing myself to new limits in training and building strength. ‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.’ - Jesus (Matthew 25).”

“She’s an inspiration to all of us,” said Jana Broughton, executive director at the faith-based, not-for-profit senior living community. “She worked hard to prepare herself and we watched with pride as her family, fellow residents, and staff supported her on this journey. She made it! Despite torrential rain, wind and cold, she crossed the finish line.”

Carolyn credits her faith, her family, and a team of physicians, therapists, and staff at Covenant Village for helping her prepare and stay focused. “The whole program here at Covenant Village is encouraging,” Carolyn said, citing the LifeConnect® Wellness Program.

LifeConnect allows each resident to pursue his or her unique passions and interests. There are a variety of resources, activities, and programs within the community so residents like Carolyn can focus their time and energy on what means most to them, while also giving them the opportunity to explore new things.

In addition to participating in the community’s T’ai Chi class, the fitness center, and the weekly walking group, Carolyn worked with Fitness Coordinator Lauren Hribek. “The staff has helped me – they encouraged me. Lauren walked with me and has been there all the way with this decision,” Carolyn said. “She kept telling me, ‘You can do this!’”

Carolyn also participated in pool therapy during visits from Life Therapeutic Solutions, Grand Rapids, and trained Saturday mornings with the World Vision Team at John Ball Park and Millennium Park.

To learn more about Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, call (877) 641-0063 or visit www.CovenantGreatLakes.org.

About Covenant Village of the Great Lakes

Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, is located at 2510 Lake Michigan Drive N.W., Grand Rapids, Mich. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC), one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. CRC serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, visit www.CovenantGreatLakes.org or call 877-812-8745.