We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
To be honest, I have not had a ‘steady career.’ I am a full time mother to three children with a part time job in medical billing. My youngest, Catherine, is medically fragile with global developmental delay. Reliant on a feeding tube and suctioning machine, she requires 24/7 care from my husband and me. Desperate for respite, I went online to search for resources, and came across Life House Atlanta. Immediately after filling out the online contact form, I received a response from the Director Kathleen Fleiszar, and we made plans to meet for Breakfast. Before the check arrived, I agreed to join the Board of Directors. Such was my excitement at the prospect of respite that Kathleen remarked, “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa! We are several years away from opening doors!”
Nevertheless, I dived head first into making Life House Atlanta a reality for my family and thousands of others in Georgia.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
With Life House Atlanta in mind, I would take my best friend all over metro Atlanta to look at property on which a pediatric respite home can be built. We would explore all over metro Atlanta; over every hill, through the woods, up and down the Chattahoochee River, and around Kennesaw Mountain and Stone Mountain to find that perfect piece of land where we will serve families of children with life limiting illness. Of course, we’ll pull over to eat at Atlanta’s signature eatery; the Varsity for Frosty Oranges, Chilli Dogs and Onion Rings.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dr. Kathleen Fleiszar! She recognized the need for a pediatric respite house in Georgia, and set out to make it happen. She keeps going onwards and upwards no matter how great the challenges.

Website: www.lifehouseatlanta.org

Instagram: @lifehouseatlanta

Linkedin: Life House Atlanta

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