According to Mara Tierce, community relations director of SouthernCare in Clanton, part of what makes the group exceptional is their commitment to celebrating their patient’s lives.

“We are big believers in celebrating,” said Tierce. “Many people think hospice is just there at the end of life, but we’re here to celebrate the lives of our patients.”

Recently Tierce called Little asking about plans for Lacey’s 25^th birthday, and, thanks to SouthernCare, Lacey got exactly what she wanted—a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.

Tierce explained, “It’s more than just being there for the patient, it’s about being there for the family. Lacey is her mother’s world, and her mother takes care of her day in and day out. This may be her last birthday. To not only give her that joy, but her mother that memory, is indescribable. It’s an amazing thing.”

Despite her obstacles, according to her mother, Lacey is still a character—she loves Mozart, Bach and the Beatles; her favorite song is “Ave Maria.” She loves listening to people sing and riding in the front yard with her dad on his motorcycle.

Little hopes to spend as much time with Lacey as possible these next few months. She plans to take Lacey to the zoo next week and back to Disney World in December to see the Christmas lights.

“Lacey has been nothing but a blessing for 25 years,” Little said. “Some people may not see it that way, but we do, and we plan to cherish every moment we have with her.”