Local nursing home patient uses art talent to beat Coronavirus

87-year-old Jackie Baer is on her way home to Martha’s Vineyard, having beat the Coronavirus after a six-week stay at the Elizabeth Seton Residence skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Wellesley Hills.

Baer, an artist from Martha’s Vineyard, arrived at the Elizabeth Seton Residence on March 26 for what should have been a short rehabilitation stay after undergoing hip surgery at Mass General Hospital. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak was escalating just as Baer was preparing for her discharge home, and she tested positive for the virus. Instead of heading home in mid-April as planned, the 87- year old remained quarantined in her private room and, as is the case with so many patients during this pandemic, could not be comforted by visits from family or friends. However, she remained positive and optimistic. As anxiety was growing around her, she decided to use her artistic talent to help cope with the virus.

Jackie was born on Martha’s Vineyard and has lived there since. Her father was an artist, although he worked as a plumber to support his family. Jackie’s late husband, who she was married to for 65 years, was an artist, as is her daughter Gretchen who currently lives in Arizona. It’s no surprise that art has played such an important role in Jackie’s life but perhaps never so much as recently.

According to Gretchen Baer, “After she received her art supplies, our mother started drawing and never stopped. There were days when mom felt so sick- those were the days we were scared. However, during her illness, there was only one day mom did not put pen to paper. She created over 40 drawings during her stay at the Elizabeth Seton Residence and the drawings have been her salvation. She has been an endless well of creativity and such a champ through all of this.”

Many of Jackie’s drawings are of animals, especially cats which she loves. Others feature people: faces, babies and nuns – the latter in deference to the fact that the Elizabeth Seton Residence Catholic, not-for-profit skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity – Halifax.

According to Baer, “I could see a beautiful cherry tree blossoming outside my bedroom and that inspired many of my drawings. My favorite drawing is the one with the nuns in it. I am not a Catholic but I enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere here at the Elizabeth Seton Residence and that inspired many of my drawings.” Adds Jackie, “My drawings got me through this virus. Every day I looked forward to creating something new and that allowed me to forget the virus.”

“We were so grateful that our mother had the opportunity to undergo her rehab at the Elizabeth Seton Residence,” Jackie’s daughter tells us. “A good friend recommended it to us but we didn’t think we would have a chance of getting Mom in there, so were thrilled when we found out there was a bed for her. It was unfortunate that she contracted the Coronavirus, but it just shows that in the face of adversity you can still turn to art. Now we have our mother returning home and all these wonderful drawings as a bonus!”

Lori Ferrante, Administrator of the Elizabeth Seton Residence adds, “The pandemic has dramatically altered so many aspects of daily life. Short term rehabilitation for an orthopedic patient is usually a brief and positive experience, with patients supported by families who visit and cheer progress as mobility and independence are regained. When Jackie arrived, she and her family knew our facility was not allowing visitors as we attempted to keep the virus at bay. After nearly completing her rehab, with family support limited to phone calls, the unexpected extension of her isolated stay might have been quite debilitating. And yet Jackie had such a positive attitude – she was able to channel her energy through a positive lens, creating beauty with simple supplies. She was able to recuperate successfully from the virus, achieve her therapy goals, and leave the unit accompanied by cheers from the nurses and therapists who served as her extended family these past weeks.”

Gretchen Baer recently donated a painting of her own to the Elizabeth Seton Residence – a colorful painting of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, in gratitude for all they have done for her mother Jackie Baer.