In 2013 Columbus Georgia and The Better Way Foundation were shook to the core by the passing of one our greatest and beautiful angels, Ms. Debra Smith.
Debra was a champion for people for living with HIV. Her personal life story and how AIDS had struck this family for now 3 stigmatic generations. But through it all Debra Smith and her family handled it all with Grace and Love. Debra Smith was Our Rock here at the Better Way Foundation. Depression over her passing has affected this organization still today.
We were always left wondering how can we honor her memory and legacy and this year when we began our partnership with CAN Community Health to bring Columbus Georgia a revolutionary idea to ensuring full circle care with greater adherence and linkage to care with A One Stop Shop Care Clinic for HIV, a name change needed to happen to start a new chapter that we began ten years ago. We pondered, and then it came to us. Finally, a Memorial worthy of a truly amazing woman. Ms. Debra Smith. She graced our lives with love and compassion and she LOVED EVERYONE! She was our “Den Mother” and she protected her cubs. She guided our principals. She changed all of our lives. And thats the guiding mission on which we stand. To provide a Better Way of life for people living with HIV and AIDS.
We still are brought to tears everytime we remember her life. That’s how powerful her love was. And today we now can work with Debra everyday in Spirit as her legacy will now live on forever through the care and services we will provide. Finally we are about to truly change lives for people infected and affected by HIV. Debra showed we can overcome Stigma through her amazing journey through life. She was defiant to the end. She overcome cancer 3 times and stood up to a virus or “gay disease” during those times and showed people it’s anyone’s disease.
Debra Smith changed my life. She guided my vision and principals of care and made sure it was for all. She loved everybody. And that’s why I gratefully and humbly change our name from the Better Way Foundation, to the Debra Smith Wellness Center. Because now, The Better Way of Full Circle Care? It’s here! Welcome All.
Debra Smith….Now her name and spirit live on in the work we will do everyday providing you the full circle care you deserve!
Please be sure to like our page and share to a friend.
Sincerly,
Jeremy Hobbs
Executive Director, The Debra Smith Wellness Center