Faces of Life book debuts in area stores
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted Photo Elvis impersonator Todd Allen Herendeen croons "Love Me Tender" to bedridden Covenant Hospice patient Effie Daffin. Daffin's touching story is one of many highlighted in the new photographic documentary titled "Faces of Life."

The much-anticipated "Faces of Life" book published by Covenant Hospice is now available for sale at area businesses. The 96-page, hardback book contains inspirational stories from Covenant Hospice patients, volunteers and their loved ones. Each story is accompanied by an artistic black and white picture taken by local professional photographers who donated their time and talent to the project.

In celebration of National Hospice Month in November of 2005, the non-profit organization developed a photography exhibit entitled "Faces of Life." The gallery conveyed inspiring stories from Covenant's patients and families, depicting real-life accounts of hope, life, the human spirit and living each day to its fullest. In 2006, hospice staff compiled the exhibit into a 96-page, hardback book of the same name. Proceeds from the book help pay for the service and supplies administered by Covenant Hospice to their many need-based patients.

Studer

A hospice is defined as a shelter or lodging for travelers, pilgrims or the destitute. That definition holds special meaning for those who believe in any type of afterlife, as many religions view one's passing as a spiritual journey from this world to the next. Locally, Covenant Hospice serves over 1,100 people daily by providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients and loved ones facing life-limiting illnesses. The unique service provided by C o v e n a n t Hospice is t h o r o u g h l y illustrated by personalizing these intimate experiences in "Faces of Life."

One salutary article describes the fulfillment of nonagenarian Effie Daffin's final wish. The article describes Daffin, a lifelong Panama City resident, as an avid Elvis Presley admirer. In the book Effie claims Presley had the "sweetest voice heaven ever made."

Bedridden and under Covenant Hospice's care, Daffin's 50-year dream of seeing Elvis perform finally came true. Hospice caretakers made arrangements for Elvis impersonator Todd Allen Herendeen to serenade Effie at her bedside, crooning "Love Me Tender" as four generations of Daffin's family looked on.

The book is filled with approximately 45 similar stories complimented by pictures from prominent regional photographers. Trista Blouin, recruited for the project specifically for her sterling reputation and extensive work with children, said she was most impressed by the durability displayed by the survivors she chronicled.

"Children are so resilient," Blouin said in a telephone interview. "It was wonderful to see how they absorb life's challenges."

Blouin relayed the circumstances of a young boy she photographed that had recently lost his father to cancer. Before his passing, the father would take the young man on excursions with his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

"He was so excited and proud to wear his Harley T-shirt and sit on his dad's Harley," Blouin said.

Covenant Hospice administrators say they are grateful to the photographers who donated hundreds of working hours along with their pictures, all related volunteers and healthcare professional Quint Studer for their support of Faces of Life.

"I admire hospice a lot," said Gulf Breeze resident, author, and medical consultant Quint Studer. "Our local Covenant Hospice is one of the best in the nation. In a hospital setting, they show how you can make patients feel better that are getting bad news."

Studer, who published his book in 2004 called "Hardwiring Excellence," wrote the forward for "Faces of Life" and commented that many healthcare organizations could learn a thing or two about compassion from Covenant Hospice "because they are always dealing with people that are dying."

"People like to read facts, but they remember stories," Studer added.

Copies of the book are available at Tea Time in Gulf Breeze, Papillion's Gift Shop in Navarre, all local branches of Gulf Coast Community Bank, the Covenant Hospice corporate headquarters in Pensacola and many more locations throughout the area. The compilation is also available online at www.covenanthospice.org or www.studergroup.com. Call Covenant Hospice at 850-438- 9714 or visit them online for more information.