Barbara Gulley Finds Friends and Emergency Housing 3,000 Miles Away, Thanks to Kiwanis

by Russell Bantra

Barbara Gulley truly understands the care, compassion and connections that come with being a Kiwanian.

A former president of her Kiwanis Club on Widbey Island, Washington, Gulley was diagnosed in 2009 with what she describes as "the worse case of arthritis my doctor had ever seen," caused by a degenerative spinal condition. Because her husband Howard had been in the Navy as an A-6 pilot, she had surgery at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA in 2009. Unfortunately the debilitating pain returned.

By chance their daughter was working at the time for a highly regarded neurosurgeon in nearby Norfolk and suggested her mother come for an evaluation. Joe Ordonez MD agreed to do the operation on the 66-year-old Gulley, but he told her she would need to remain in the city for several months of rehabilitation.

With their daughter now back in Washington state, the Gulleys knew they couldn't afford to rent housing for such a long period of time on the other side of the country. The surgery was looking problematic.

That's when Barbara decided to use her Kiwanis ties. She wrote to a number of clubs in the area, searching for extended and furnished lodging at a reasonable price. Sylvia Stewart, secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Norfolk, sent the plea around to her members. Brian Dundon responded, agreeing to let the Gulleys use a studio unit he owns in Norfolk at no charge, because, as he said, "it was just the right thing to do." Located just four blocks from the hospital and doctor's office, it was the perfect scenario. "I met Brian just after Thanksgiving," says Barbara, "and all he really asked was that I take care of his plants, which I was thrilled to do because I love plants."

The surgery was successful, and the rehab moved ahead on schedule. Each Thursday, Barbara and Howard have been regular attendees at the club's weekly luncheon. During a farewell sendoff on February 9, club president Jim Hart presented the couple with a basket full of Virginia made products and good wishes for a speedy and full recovery. "I'm the luckiest woman in the world," said Barbara Gulley, "thanks to the people in this room." The standing ovation was proof the Norfolk Kiwanians felt they were fortunate to be there when their colleague came calling.