I just returned from Georgia after meeting with two of my all-time favorite clients – Barbara and Claude Ivester. Claude is 74 years old and has been married to Barbara for 50 years. They live in a little town named Dewy Rose, Georgia, which is about 115 miles east of Atlanta.
We were all asked to give an interview to Atlanta’s NBC affiliate (WXIA-TV) concerning the recent peanut butter recall. Claude is one of the confirmed Salmonella Typhimurium cases linked to the poisoned peanut butter. He became deathly ill after eating Austin brand peanut butter crackers on December 3, 2008.
He was hospitalized for 8 days (5 in ICU) after going into septic shock and his fever reached 106 F. His medical bills total over $60,000. His kidneys suffered severe damage as a result of his illness.
Claude is a Korean War veteran. He and Barbara have 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).
To see the NBC interview, press play below:
Thanks to the great folks at WXIA-TV (especially Ioanna) for helping tell Claude’s story.
Hi my name is Jessica Toole, I was a grand-daughter of Claude & Barbara Ivester (I was currently expecting with their 7th great-grandchild on the way) I just wanted to write you and say Thank You for everything you helped them with. I know it meant a lot to them. It was the biggest battle that I’ve every had to deal with, because I was so close to them. They pretty much raised me the first five years of my life, and I don’t think I would know what to do without them.
Thanks,
Jessica
Hi Jessica –
Thanks for the kind note. It means a lot to me.
Barbara and Claude are two of the finest people I have ever met. I think of them often.
Ron