Everyday Leaders

Alumna Creates Bedsheet Pantry for Sexual Assault Victims A s a crime scene technician for the Kansas City Police Department, Marisa Smith ’11, was taught to look at each crime scene objectively, take photographs, collect evidence, and be on her way. But when it came to sexual assault crime scenes, Smith couldn’t help but think about the victim.

“Even though I rarely interact directly with victims, my mind kept bringing me back to the human aspect of things, especially when it came time to take the victims’ sheets,” said Smith. “Seeing the stripped mattress seemed so cold and, frankly, retraumatizing.” EVERYDAY LEADERS

Smith decided to do something about it – and her idea for a bedsheet pantry was born.

“Owning a second set of sheets is a privilege,” said Smith. “New sheets provide a little bit of comfort to an otherwise awful situation. I wanted victims to know there was a caring community there to support them.”

After running her idea up the KCPD chain of command, Smith got the green light.

When the first call came in, Smith dashed to Target, bought sheets and a comforter, then drove to the victim’s home to drop it all off.

“The victim actually answered the door and I was able to meet her and her daughter,” said Smith. “Honestly, if I never gave away another set of sheets after that it would it have been enough for me. I got to help, even in this small way.”

From there, Smith asked for donations from coworkers, and KCPD put a callout in their newsletter. But her big break came when the KCPD media unit posted the story on social media.

“People were asking how they could contribute, so I created an Amazon wish list,” she said. “A few days later, I got a text with a photo of a flatbed truck full of Amazon boxes at the station. I was in shock.”

Truckloads of sheets kept coming for several weeks from all over the world. KCPD quickly ran out of storage space for the sheets, so they have started donating them to other police departments. Marisa Smith ’11

“New sheets provide a

little bit of comfort to an otherwise awful situation. I wanted victims to know there was a caring community there to support them.” —Marisa Smith ’11

The Best Experience of All

BY TERESA MOERER, ’85

Lately, I’ve been intrigued by the subject of experiences. I’ve always been fascinated with human behavior and became curious about the concepts of how we have experiences, what enhances them and how we can prepare ourselves to take full advantage of them.

Amid my intrigue and studies, I was fortunate to be able to help my sisters take care of my mother during the last few years of her life. I looked forward to providing experiences that would help strengthen her body, mind and spirit. I was well equipped to take on this role after working nearly 34 years as a physical therapist teaching patients and families the skills of mobility and caregiving. What I didn’t know going into this adventure was that I was needed more as a daughter than I was for my medical advice. I found out that my four sisters and I had our own set of unique eyes to see and know what our parents needed. At times I was caught off guard by emotions that struck me so hard, I felt paralyzed.

I wasn’t prepared for the feelings of helplessness and pain deep in my heart when, at the end of their lives, both of my parents asked me to take them home. I found myself slipping into denial, but deep down, I knew the home they were looking for did not exist here on earth.

Teresa Moerer, ’85

There were times of disappointment in myself when I had less patience for my mother than I had for the patients in the hospital. There were also the joyous and fun times we had working daily crossword puzzles and playing scrabble with a group in the independent living facility.

But the best experience I had was at the end. It was the gift my parents gave me at the end of their lives. It was after the years they spent striving to raise a family. They had played the game of life with integrity and persistence and received the blessings of sixteen grandchildren and the devotion of their daughters. The trials and sorrows they had faced were over.

In the end, they were able to shed the fear, disguise, and pretense that we all carry to some extent. And then I saw it. They were able to give me a glimpse of their soul. It was the soul I knew as a little girl. They held intact, deep within them, their solid core of strength and faith. I saw their truth and felt their love, and, oh, what a sweet moment that was. They took me home. And it was to a home that is not here on earth. And I will forever be grateful for that experience.

Teresa Moerer, ’85, is a physical therapist with more than 30 years of experience. She is the author of a recently published book titled The Art of Assisting Aging Parents.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14, COMMEMORATIVE ROSE GARDEN ON KINERK COMMONS

The Rockhurst University community gathers to honor six Jesuit martyrs, their housekeeper and her daughter, who were murdered at the University of Central America in San Salvador on Nov. 16, 1989, and others who perished during the El Salvadoran civil war.

1100 Rockhurst Road Kansas City, MO 64110-2561