CJH FONDATION:
FOR REHABILATIVE SERVICES


Hi!

My name is Shelley, but only my family calls me that. I was fortunate (or unfortunate??) to be the oldest if seven children. We are a blended family, as are many today, but my Pop’s tried always to instill in us that we were one family. That is a Universal Truth that I try to live by today!

I live and breathe through my father’s courage and spirit. With every measured step, with every sight I see, and with every voice I hear. Sometimes the only voice I hear (or sound) is that of my fathers tortured cries of pain as he lay dieing. Mostly due to the fact that he chose to serve his country proudly as a marine in the Vietnam War.

This one hundred percent combat disabled veteran, returned to his home state of Indiana and after his first daughter was born he toted her off to college with his one good arm (he lost total use of his right arm from shrapnel wounds). After he received his degree in business, Chuck went onto serve his country by working at the Veterans Administration, fighting for veterans rights.

After that he returned to the public sector in varied potions, using skilled networking to earn enough to support his family. Soon after he married my mother, Susan, and soon after discovered that he had contracted Hepatitis C (they did not test blood transfusions during the war). Several years later, after a heroine battle to find a good match from a donor, he received a liver transplant at MCV Hospital in Richmond, Va. This is the time that he and I became the closest. Even though he had only been in my life for a short time, he was the best man and most loving (by nature) father I had ever known. I would sneak into the ICU “lime-aids” from across the street, to soothe his aching throat as he recovered from surgery. We formed a bound, in spirit, which can never be broken.

Five years later he returned to school to get his MBA, and Jurist Doctorate at NCCU in Durham, NC. He established a Law Firm, but was only able to practice a brief two years, fighting his body the whole time to march forward. God graced us with his presences for fifteen years past his transplant. He recently passed (feels like yesterday) onto the “Spirit in the Sky”. I’ m sure he is up there in the heavens…..Rallying the troops, putting all those in charge on point------And preparing EVERYONE for “Boat Drinks” or better days ahead!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Michelle Barmore (919)451-1586