Written by Chad Birt on Fri Feb 16 2024.
Caregiver: Jess Ronne
She’s caring for: Her son, Lucas
Winner of: The Carewell Community Builder Award
Jess Ronne’s son, Lucas, suffered a stroke in utero and underwent brain surgery three days after birth. Despite multiple diagnoses and profound special needs, Lucas has thrived. He also serves as the inspiration for The Lucas Project, a nonprofit organization that Ronne founded alongside her husband, Ryan.
During Lucas’ childhood, Ronne says she noticed a lack of resources, particularly when it came to respite for family caregivers. On one hand, she knew society was full of compassionate people who wanted to help, but on the other, there was no way to facilitate that connection.
Ronne dreamed of creating a way to fill this void and launched The Lucas Project.
The Lucas Project provides family caregivers with support, education, and encouragement. It also provides caregiver Care Packages and Respite Days. These resources make a profound difference that doesn’t go unnoticed. In fact, we received 50+ nominations for Ronne from members of her caregiving community, each expressing admiration for her dedication, advocacy, and compassion.
“Everything I’ve accomplished in life and advocacy work has been to bring focus back to the [caregiving] community,” Ronne says. “The poet Maya Angelou once said ‘Society is only as healthy as its weakest link.’ My work has always been about strengthening this weak link. Strengthening caregivers by empowering them to be seen and heard, and in turn, strengthening communities as a whole. Because caregiving is a whole circle life experience.”
Ronne says she’s just getting started. In addition to her work at The Lucas Project, she’s produced a documentary: Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers and Why It Matters, and hosts the podcast Coffee with Caregivers, which discusses the joys and challenges of parenting children with special needs. Ronne and her husband are also developing a property called Hope Farm, that aims to provide housing and long-term care for disabled adults.
As the winner of the Carewell Community Builder Award, Ronne will receive a $2,500 donation to further empower The Lucas Project and its mission of supporting family caregivers.
We believe that highlighting caregiver stories makes the world a better place. If you have a story to share, please reach out to our Care Team. Call (800) 696-CARE or send an email to support@carewell.com.
Since day one, we’ve strived to build a community that supports and recognizes the millions of family caregivers who selflessly provide care for their friends, family, and community members. We launched the Carewell Caregiver Awards in 2023 to bolster these efforts, and to share some of the inspiring stories of love and commitment we so often hear about.
Read More >
Sara Mason has provided full-time care for her grandma, Delphine, since May of 2022. Delphine is in stage six of Alzheimer’s disease and needs help eating, bathing, and managing her medications. These responsibilities take significant time and effort, but Mason says she strives to provide the same type of care that her Grandma always gave her.
Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.