Critical Lifelines
Portraits & Stories of Direct Care Workers
Vernette Mahone, Detroit, MI
Vernette Mahone, Detroit, MI, graduated from high school while raising two children and went on to become a certified Computer Technician. During this time her mother became ill and Vernette was determined to take care of her, but it was hard as a teen…
Maria Cosper, Lansing, MI
Maria Cosper, Lansing, MI helps care for her 87-year old father-in-law who has lived for 8 years with her and her husband. He still drives and is fairly independent. She also helps her husband’s mother and step-father who live next door. Her mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s…
Diane Wine, Portage, MI
Diane Wine, Portage, MI, is 71 years old and enjoys life, pastel colors, Mackinaw Island Fudge ice cream and time with her grandchildren. Her 9-year-old granddaughter says, “Grandma makes me laugh.”
She started out as a hospital candy striper then worked for 25 years at the…
Damien Sheppard, Lansing, MI
Damien Sheppard, Lansing, MI. Age 37, Damien has a degree in biochemistry, works as a lab manager in a plant biology lab, is an avid bicyclist, gardener and reader. He values the relationship with his clients, the flexibility that allows him to work around his…
Mellisa Bobnock, Iron River, MI
Mellisa Bobnock, Iron River, MI., Certified Nursing Assistant, enjoys being at home with family and gardening. She has been a home care worker with the same agency for 16 years. She got into it because she wanted to help people, enjoyed working with older adults,…
Martha and Hellen Kwant, Lansing, MI
Martha and Hellen Kwant, Lansing, MI. Mother and daughter are both home care workers. Martha, a retired social worker, says, “Momma taught us from being knee high to boll weevils that we take care of the elderly…You have a warmth that very often turns into…
Alisa Curtis, Traverse City, MI
Alisa Curtis, Traverse City, MI. A member of the Odawa nation, Alisa started in DCW work 8 years ago when her parents needed more help and her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Like most DCWs, Alisa states the wages are too low. Other household…
Rachel Esch, Lansing, MI
Rachel Esch, Lansing, MI was a Miracle Network Child, born in 1989 with a bone disorder called Hemihypertrophy. Her medical costs were covered and the nurses inspired her own desire to be a nurse. She is a certified nursing assistant, nearing graduation from nursing school…
Diane Saari, Kingsford, MI and Donna Aberly, Crystal Falls, MI
Diane Saari, Kingsford, MI and Donna Aberly, Crystal Falls, MI. Both women have been DCWs for over 20 years. They entered the field to supplement their husband’s income with some “extra money” and have no plans to quit because “It makes us happy.” In their…
“Critical Lifelines” is made possible by a grant from: The Archie Green Fellowship at the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20540-4610 and with funding from: The Michigan Health Endowment Fund, 7927 Nemco Way, Brighton, MI 48116
Critical Lifelines Personnel:
- Dr. Clare Luz, Principal Investigator (PI), Director: Age Alive & IMPART Alliance, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Dr. Marsha MacDowell, Co-PI; Curator of Folk Arts, MSU Museum; Professor, Department of Art and Art History
- Khalid Ibrahim, Co-PI, Photographer; Clinical Research Informatics Technologist, MSU Biomedical Research Informatics Core/Clinical and Translational Sciences and Eat Pomegranate Photography www.eatpomegranate.com
- Katherine Hanson, Special Projects Coordinator, IMPART Alliance, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine