Willis/LaCour/Mulroy sisters Loving L'Arche!!

I think at this point most people know who L'Arche Mobile is and what the heart of our mission holds.  Rather than another simple explanation of why your donation is greatly important,  I want to share with you the story of Willie.  I think this is the best explanation of the heart of L'Arche.  Thank you for supporting us!

Willie’s Crown

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown” is the old saying for someone carrying great responsibility as a leader to others.  Well, we are finding here in L’Arche Mobile the great importance one of our community members carries in defending that crown of leadership.  Willie has figuratively been crowned in L’Arche as the core member, still living, who has lived the longest amount of time in L’Arche USA at 42.5 years.  Our community has spent the last month or so watching Willie beat all medical odds and fight to keep his streak going.

After several trips to the ER within a 48 hour period, being sent home each time with no explanation of his physical complaints, Willie woke up one morning depleted of his normal cheer, unresponsive to everything around him.  After being admitted into the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, our community waited in confusion.  We needed some educated answer to explain how our joyful and playful friend now laid in a coma on a ventilator, lifeless but peaceful.  With the combined expertise of three doctors, probably almost 40 years of school between them, the diagnosis was made that Willie suffered a massive stroke, and prognosis was poor.  After several days in the coma, it came time to make a decision.  I will never forget hearing the Neurosurgeon suggest removing the ventilator and “letting nature take its course.”  We all know what that means when all signs point to a 5-10% chance of survival.  Everyone in Willie’s group of supporters agreed with the doctors that it was time. The machines were removed, Willie was positioned comfortably in bed, and all we could do is say our goodbyes and wait. We joined hands and said our final prayer, asking Jesus to welcome Willie on as he joined his fellow family members and L’Arche friends in heaven.  The excitement in the room had dwindled, and we could offer Willie peace in his final moments.  

Now, over a month later, Willie refuses to relinquish his spot in the L’Arche community life just yet. After almost a week in a coma, time spent in ICU, and being set up for hospice care, Willie and Jesus must have talked and put their own deal on the table.  Refusing to take the advice of medical diplomas, Willie not only woke up, but has managed to hold onto each jewel in his crown.  Walking, talking, and of course flirting with the nurses all the way out of the doors of the hospital, Willie was welcomed back into his home in L’Arche Mobile.  He leads us with his gifts of joy, playfulness, welcome, and now with renewed definitions to the gifts of Hope and Determination.  Willie is determined to lead our L’Arche community both in Mobile and the USA as a sign of Hope to the greater world.