Close Up: Heather Fortune
There’s never been a question about what I wanted to do. Growing up I knew I wanted to help others.
I currently live in Chesterfield, VA with my husband, Michael and son, Hayden. I’ve lived in the Richmond area my entire life. Before joining Caring Voice Coalition (CVC) in October 2014, during my last semester of undergraduate studies at Old Dominion University, I did an internship with the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. I was on the transitional care unit doing clinical social work. It was a great learning experience, and I felt it brought me full-circle. My older brother, Erik, lived on that unit for six years, so it was great to be able to come back around and be on the other side helping patients.
Erik was born at 25 weeks gestation and due to complications at birth he couldn’t walk or talk. He had special needs. He lived at home with us until he was 14 years old, so I grew up with nurses who were like family. Growing up I learned how to do breathing treatments and G-Tube feedings. I could do those things at a young age. Working with my brother and his therapists at school were integrated into my education as early as kindergarten. To me, it was a normal life, but to others it’s unique.
I have a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in psychology. I always knew I wanted to help others, but I was not sure exactly how I could do so. When I found human services it made sense. I thought, “This is it. This is what I want to do.” It’s helping others.
When I came across CVC, I thought it was wonderful. My family has been affected by chronic illnesses. Within a four-year span my mother was diagnosed with Marfan’s syndrome (a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue), then leukemia, and then lupus. She passed away in 2012. My younger brother Zach was also diagnosed with Marfan’s syndrome during that time.
My mother was a nurse and a huge advocate of quality of life and palliative care. She would tell me, “Heather, it’s about the quality of life, not quantity.” I didn’t understand that when I was younger, not even when my older brother died. It clicked more so when my mother battled her illnesses. She worked so hard. It started making sense to me what she had been telling me all those years. I understood. And I’m appreciative for that lesson.
So, I understand as a family member how difficult these situations can be, and how hard it can be to talk about things you don’t really want to talk about. I want CVC patients to know they can talk to us. I love it here. I’m part of a team that helps. A big thing for me is being able to take a little bit of the stress off our patients’ shoulders. The last thing they need to worry about is how they’re going to pay for the medications they need.
The basis of my inspiration has always been my brother Erik, but I’ve come to realize that a large part of that is my mother. I realize now how much she molded me into the woman I’ve become, and I now see her same personality traits in my younger brother Zach, who lives with the same condition she did. She always took the time to explain things. She was always helping. Now, I want to help. I want to give back. So much has been given to me over the years, now I want to help someone else.
Patients should know that everyone here at CVC has huge hearts, loves what they do, and enjoys coming in to work knowing that they’re going to help someone each day. The support here is amazing. Everyone has a passion for the part they play in CVC’s goals and mission to improve the lives of those we serve. I’m really grateful to be here and have the opportunity to work with our patients every day. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
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