From Caring Spouse to Health Care Advocate-A Personal Journey of Recovery and Giving Back to Society~ The Anita McGinn Natali Story

Mrs. Anita McGinn  Natali-Artist, wife, mother, care giver, and advisor, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA, Volunteer, National Oral Cancer Foundation

Background:

Anita is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a professionally trained Fine Art Painter, with a BFA from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. She was a single Mom to two teenage sons working as an Art Director when she met Clark Natali in 1993. Five years later, in 1998, Anita and Clark married on a gorgeous October day surrounded by their family and friends. Throughout their relationship, Anita and Clark enjoyed skiing, traveling, boating, golfing, and spending summers at the shore. In 2003, Anita retired from pharmaceutical advertising to pursue painting full time. In 2007, when Clark was diagnosed with oral cancer, Anita became her husband’s caregiver, helping him through a serious health crisis that would last more than 5 years.

Today, Anita is a volunteer and Co-Chair on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, she donates her oil paintings to The Oral Cancer Foundation to help raise funds for awareness, prevention, and education. Anita is profoundly grateful to the people of HUP and OCF for their continued care and support for her husband and herself.

Overview:

Anita served as the primary caregiver to her husband for more than 5 years as he was undergoing treatment for oral cancer. Her attitude , stamina and courage sustained her through a difficult time in their lives. As her husband recovered, she was able to take what she had learned and share it with others. The primary ways she has done this is to (1) serve as a volunteer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the Patient and Family Centered Care Program and (2) to donate personal tributes of her exquisite art work to the Oral Cancer Foundation to raise money for oral cancer awareness and prevention. Anita shares her story of personal recovery and how she grew as a person as a result of the experience.

3 Key Points:

1. How to ask for Help, Accept Help and Sustain self esteem over long haul.
2. How to locate legitimate sources of information and support on a disease specific basis.
3. How to engage in post trauma activities that enhances your own recovery as a care giver through giving back to others.