Liz Escobar

Liz left her home last year with a few personal belongings in hand and great compassion in heart. Her father had passed away, leaving behind her aging mother, newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. For 30 years, Liz had worked in the bookstore of the University of Texas Health Science Center, loving to encourage and interact with the up and coming physicians. Every month, she traveled to Mexico on mission trips, acting as an interpreter for doctors and dentists who offer free services to low-income families. She inspired everyone she came in contact with and although in her 60s, she remained very active and involved in the community. She knew her life would never be the same, but she did not hesitate to rush to her mother’s side when the need arose.

Liz made the decision to move in with her mother, but continued to fulfill her duties at work and remained devoted to her two daughters and grandchildren. “It was a big adjustment because I lived alone for 20 years, but my mother is so amazing, what else could I do?”

One day, she came home from work to find her 85-year-old mother sprawled helplessly on the floor. She had fallen down and been lying there patiently, alone for two hours. With her mother’s needs intensifying daily, she realized she would have to quit her job to provide her with fulltime care. Liz’s days are now filled with scheduled feedings, medications and doctor’s appointments, but somehow, she still manages to reach out and maintain a positive outlook. “I love going to church and spending time with my grandchildren. I’ve just cut the time down a little,” she says.

On Valentine’s Day this year, Liz was nominated as an outstanding family caregiver in the “Commemorate Care” contest, put on by JEM Communications, a group of UTSA students participating in a national public relations competition. During February, the students began an awareness campaign for Family Caregiving 101. They designed their campaign to promote family caregivers as the dynamic, unsung heroes that they are, while promoting the informational Web site www.FamilyCaregiving101.org/team60, because “Every Hero Needs a Sidekick.” The “Commemorate Care” contest sought to honor family caregivers’ commitment to their loved ones. Short essays describing the lives of family caregivers were submitted with winners receiving gift baskets containing family caregiving information, books and gift certificates donated by local businesses. Liz Escobar won the grand prize; a gift basket along with house cleaning services provided by JEM Communications.

UTSA senior Michelle McClain spoke on behalf of the JEM Communications group, “We were so incredibly moved by Ms. Escobar’s story and we want everyone in San Antonio to know that she is truly an inspiration and an unsung hero.”