DR. WENDY STUART
Meet Wendy…..humble servant of God, daughter of the late renown Bahamian singer, Wendel Stuart and Majorie Stuart and the proud mother of sons, Whitney (16) and Max (12). From her early education at Mary Star of The Sea and St. Paul’s Methodist School in Freeport, Grand Bahama, to Queen's College Primary School, with high school tenures at both St. John's and Government High (198
2) along with her higher level of educational pursuits at The College of the Bahamas, Mankato State University, and University of Minnesota...Wendy had the zeal to conquer the world with her vibrancy, personality and ambition and was indeed destined for greatness! Wendy had a keen business acumen that distinguished her as The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year for her botani bath products. Her love for the earth motivated her to develop her own farming initiative, assist Goodfellow Farms with its development and also New Providence Community Church with their green house project. Despite her entrepreneur spirit, her dentistry skills did not go unpracticed as she secured employment with the Ministry of Health at the Princess Margaret Hospital in the Dentistry Department from 1993 to 1996. Later, she opened her own practice. Additionally, Wendy was an active member of The Bahamas Dental Association, serving as President until 2002. In 2009, Wendy was poised to make a major transition in her life; unfortunately, she started to experience problems with her fine and gross motor skills, which eventually hindered her ability to write and walk. To address her medical issues, Wendy went to Cleveland Clinic in Miami, Florida, and it was there that a previous diagnosis of possible mercury poisoning was ruled out and she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease or Charcot Disease,” “a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.” Wendy was given two years to live, but six years later, Wendy’s life is a testimony that God has the final say. Wendy further developed complications with eating and breathing; the latter, she was once able to do independently. However, today, she is totally dependent on the ventilator, and this dependence has evoked apprehensions about the possibility of losing her ability to speak. From 2009 to 2012, Wendy was cared for by Registered Nurses (RNs) whose services came with a hefty price tag. The cost of the RNs were depleting her insurance benefits quicker than anticipated, hence she had no other alternative but to resort to Patient Care Technicians (PCTs). PCTs are not as well-versed as RNs; but, given Wendy’s medical background, she is able to instruct them regarding her medical care. However her continued care by the PCTs will be more challenging as her insurance coverage will expire on March 31, 2015. Two years ago, Wendy, cognizant of the impact her illness was having on ‘her boys’ made the ultimate suffice in relocating them to the United States to live with their dad. It is Wendy’s faith that enables her to maintain her resilient spirit and radiant smile, giving her the assurance that one day she will be reunited with Whitney and Max. Given that Wendy will have no medical insurance shortly and is currently bed ridden, the question about how to acquire funds to address her medical needs and intense physical therapy leaves Wendy in a quandary. Her monthly expenses are approximately $7,000. Undaunted by what lies ahead, Wendy continues to hold the faith, believing that “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that one can ask or imagine.”
New Providence Community Church in conjunction with her colleagues and friends are planning a ‘Walk to Wendy’ walk-a-thon on April 25, 2015. Further details will be announced soon, however, donations can now be made at the Public Worker’s Co-Operative Credit Union, Wulff Road, Dr. Wendy Stuart to “share account #3243.”
Wendy’s journey from Grand Bahama to the present has been marred with complications, but her radiance, strength of character and determination speak of a believer who holds fast the lyrics, “God is working it out.”
