Growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands, food was always an important part of Margaret Patterson’s life. “I was born and raised there – it was a great, great, great upbringing – the culture, the foods, the generations,” she recalled.
Margaret retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant after a decorated career. She was enjoying her retirement and spending time with her grandchildren but was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over a decade ago, and it left her legally blind.
When Margaret’s neurologist Heidi Maloni at the Washington VA Medical Center referred her to Food & Friends to accommodate a new, restricted diet, she was not sure if it would suit her. But to Margaret’s surprise, the healthy meals were a reminder of the food of her childhood in St. Thomas, “The oregano, and thyme, and the fennel. It is like just reconnecting with flavors I had not eaten for many years.”
Finding healthy and accessible meal options was a big challenge. Margaret was grateful that following her doctor’s orders would not mean a bland meal, “The plan I selected for health reasons was the no salt, no sugar plan and I found those meals to be very, very flavorful. Some of the greens have a nice little spicy black pepper kick.”
Food & Friends’ home-delivered meals were a relief for Margaret, “It has been great because I had to relinquish my driver’s license a few years ago, so I cannot drive. I was relying on family.” The consistent delivery schedule and pre-made entrees also freed up Margaret’s home health aide to do more than cook and prepare meals, including essential household tasks and helping Margaret get outside for walks.
Margaret herself is no stranger to taking care of others – she began her 20-year career in the Air Force working in hospitality services. After four and a half years, Margaret retrained into education, “I did adult learning at various stations and one of the military academies for our special agents.”
Her first tours of duty with the Air Force took her to Florida and California, where she had her first children. Margaret was then selected to serve in the United Kingdom for 5 years, before being reassigned to Andrews Air Force Base, where she would retire. When she retired, she was awarded a shadowbox with many medals honoring her exemplary career of service.
Now, Margaret lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with her children and grandchildren nearby in Silver Spring. She has become an advocate for Food & Friends’ healthy, home-delivered meals with her own doctors and friends, “In my eight or nine months, two of my [healthcare] providers have asked because I told them about this program – they have some patients that need this type of assistance. They both were very happy and appreciative to get the referral for Food & Friends.”