THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 20, 1995 TAG: 9510200495
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
A machete and a can of bug spray kept Desiree Wilson company at night while she slept in the woods off Rosemont Road in Princess Anne Plaza.
The loss of a waitressing job and of her trailer in February had thrust Wilson into the realm of the homeless. For months she languished in the woods, occasionally seeking shelter and food at a local church, but always returning to her familiar pup tent amid the trees and animals.
Then Jeane Vesey came into the picture. A disabled 51-year-old, Vesey lived by herself in a small, one-bedroom apartment adjoining the woods. She befriended Wilson this summer and, after several weeks of asking, persuaded the 32-year-old to move in with her. Wilson cooked, cleaned, grocery-shopped (with a bicycle) and took care of Vesey in exchange for room and board.
Last week, the arrangement saved Vesey's life.
Vesey, who suffers from asthma and emphysema, slipped in and out of consciousness last Friday night, unbeknownst to Wilson. When Wilson went in Saturday morning to check on Vesey, she found the woman unconscious and barely breathing. She called 911.
Vesey was rushed to Sentara Bayside Hospital and put on a ventilator. Sister Diana Wertenbach said that Vesey had a three-phase shutdown of her liver, lungs and kidneys.
``If Desiree hadn't called 911 when she did, Jeane would have died,'' said Wertenbach. ``It's like a miracle.''
Vesey has been in the critical care unit all week but responded to treatment so well that she was taken off the ventilator Tuesday. Supplemental oxygen is given round-the-clock, however, and she remains weak. But Vesey's dark brown eyes light up whenever Wilson comes to visit, as she does each day with one of Vesey's sisters or friends.
``There she is. She's my angel!'' exclaimed Vesey as Wilson entered the room Thursday. They hugged tightly and held hands. ``I love you. You did so good!''
Wilson, a trim blonde with an easy smile, laughed.
``You didn't love me that day!'' she said.
``I didn't love anybody that day,'' Vesey conceded. ``I didn't know what day it was, I was just sick.''
Wilson shrugged off suggestions that what she did for Vesey was anything special.
``Hey, she saved my life, gave me a place to live,'' said Wilson, a California native who has lived in Virginia Beach six years. ``She asked me to move in with her a number of times, but I always felt like I was imposing. Jeane told me she couldn't sleep knowing I was out there.
``Then one night it was just too hot,'' she added with a laugh. ``When you're homeless you don't take things like showers and food for granted.''
Wilson has been keeping the apartment up during Vesey's hospital stay and is anxiously awaiting her return. Vesey, who relies on disability payments, food stamps, Medicaid and help from relatives, may need nursing care when discharged. But Carolyn Ward, team coordinator in the critical care unit team, said that as long as Wilson is there, Vesey should be all right.
Caregiving has given Wilson something more to think about. She would like to go to school to study nursing. The deck is stacked against her, though. She has no money, no job, no car - and the bike that she depended upon for groceries was stolen. But Wilson has a positive outlook and said she'll remain with Vesey no matter what.
``Now I have nobody to cook for,'' said Wilson with a chuckle. ``I'm caring for her bird and her dog. . . . I hope she comes home soon.''
Vesey grasped Wilson's arm, tears smarting her eyes.
``We're going to stay together,'' she said.
``She's the daughter I didn't have.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
STEVE EARLEY/The Virginian-Pilot
Desiree Wilson, right, greets Jeane Vesey at Sentara Bayside
hospital after the 51-year-old had a three-phase shutdown of her
liver, lungs and kidneys. ``If Desiree hadn't called 911 when she
did, Jeane would have died,'' said Sister Diana Wertenbach. ``It's
like a miracle.''
by CNB