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The Business of Living Donations help bring a mother’s dream to life at Hinds’ Feet Farm Her son, Phil, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 1984 automobile accident, but Carolyn Johnson Van Every Foil (known as “Puddin” to her family and friends) never stopped believing she could find a place that would enable him to reach his full potential in a healing environment. In 2002, Puddin and her husband, Martin, opened Hinds’ Feet Farm on Black Farms Road in Huntersville, which offers programs and activities designed to help members with traumatic brain injuries maximize their lives with unique and holistic programs, such as horseback riding,
yoga, tai chi and nature walks. Puddin passed away this past April, but her son, Marty, who serves as the executive director of Hinds’ Feet Farm, is working to make his mother’s dream of building a residential facility on the grounds finally come to life. “After my mother passed away, we had an unbelievable flood of memorials and donations, totaling around $200,000,” explains Marty. He hopes to begin construction of a sixbed addition to the farm named “Puddin’s Place” by the end of this year. The expan“We’re trying to help members get re-engaged with the business of living,” says Foil. “After my mother passed away, we had an unbelievable flood of memorials and donations, totaling around $200,000,” explains Marty Foil, executive director of Hinds’ Feet Farm.
Lake Norman Currents | November 2010
sion should be complete by late 2011. On any given day, six to 14 program members use a general-purpose activity building on the grounds as well as a handicap-accessible barn. With the new residential facility, Marty will be hiring extra caregivers such as CNAs and RNs to help residents with nonmedical tasks such as eating, bathing and administering medications. Marty says he isn’t sure exactly how many caregivers will be needed yet, but he will ensure the best possible medical staff is hired to help residents, even if he has to raise additional funds to do it. “We’re trying to help members get reengaged with the business of living,” says Marty. — Renee Roberson, photography by Glenn Roberson The Scoop For more information about Hinds Feet Farm, visit www.hindsfeetfarm.org.
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