Watch Brenda’s Thank You Message
Brenda Jefferson led an active life. She loved to strength train, swim, and ride her bike. During her fulfilling career at a federal law enforcement agency, she worked as an investigator, ensuring licensed firearms businesses were complying with federal regulations, and later helped oversee operations.
“I absolutely loved that,” Brenda said. “You’re always doing cool, different things.”
She spent years in New York, where she was born and raised, working out of offices next to the World Trade Center and caregiving for her parents. She later moved back to Maryland, settling in Upper Marlboro, and continued working for the same law enforcement agency.
Then in her early 40s, she was driving home on the Beltway from work and her arm began jerking in a way she couldn’t control. Soon, she lost control of both arms, and over time she began having painful spasms throughout her body, trouble breathing, and other difficult symptoms. Brenda’s condition remains undiagnosed, but doctors have described it as a movement disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease. Brenda, a graduate of University of Maryland – College Park, had to retire around age 45.
Now at 56, Brenda describes herself as homebound, leaving the house only for doctor’s appointments, and says she is in too much pain to sit upright.
“I am suffering tremendously,” she said. “Food & Friends is my family, and I would be lost without them.”
She first learned about Food & Friends through her friend and personal trainer, and she began receiving medically tailored meals in April 2020. Brenda became emotional thinking about the impact the nonprofit has had on her life, especially as her condition has left her isolated at home.
“It truly takes a village and Food & Friends is part of that,” Brenda said. “It’s the support that I need. It helps me to sustain my strength.”
Food & Friends’ meals have been vital as her condition makes it impossible to stand for long periods of time to cook, let alone go to the grocery store. Instead, she can simply pop her medically tailored meals in the microwave. Her favorite meals include our tarragon chicken, southwest bean chili, and chicken salad. With the seasoning packets Food & Friends provides, she can adjust meals to her taste. She’s also worked with our Community Dietitians to adjust her meal plan based on her evolving symptoms.
But the biggest difference Food & Friends has made in her life: a sense of community. Living at home alone, she looks forward to her meal deliveries, describing our staff and volunteers as wonderful rays of sunshine.
“Sometimes I’ll be here so low and then I remember Food & Friends is coming tomorrow,” she said. “When they come to my house, sometimes they’re the only face I may see all week.”
Beyond the meals, Food & Friends client social hours and outreach make her feel part of something greater.
“I feel like part of a community. You all have become my friends. It really is Food & Friends,” she said.
Food & Friends is a nonprofit that relies on donations to sustain our mission. Donate now.