Roberta’s Journey to Healing and Hope

When Roberta stepped off the Greyhound bus in Rochester, Minnesota earlier this year, she carried far more than just a duffel bag. She brought with her years of service as a proud disabled veteran, a heart full of determination, and a deep longing to live—not just survive.

Since April 2025, Roberta has been experiencing homelessness. She had been living in Virginia, but the long waits for medical care in a region crowded with veterans meant her complex health issues were going unaddressed. With growing pain and mounting concern, she made a courageous decision: to seek answers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

It wasn’t easy. After arriving in town, she walked straight from the bus station to the emergency department. Multiple tests later, Roberta finally had a diagnosis: severe neuropathy from the knees down. One of her doctors asked what had brought her so far from home. Her answer was simple and heartfelt:

“I trust you,” she said, “and I want to live another 20 years.”

The doctor smiled. “Try 35.”

But a diagnosis is only the beginning of a healing journey. With nowhere to live, Roberta found herself navigating unfamiliar streets in an unfamiliar city. A few compassionate patrol officers pointed her toward The Warming Center, and soon after, she learned about The Landing MN. That’s when the tide began to turn.

Back in Virginia, Roberta’s storage unit had been emptied without her knowledge, and she lost many vital documents. But The Landing MN helped her begin again—helping her replace her ID and birth certificate, and giving her access to a computer so she could apply for VA benefits and medical assistance. She remembers one volunteer provider in particular who sat down with her to explain complicated blood test results, turning confusion into clarity and fear into reassurance.

But it wasn’t just paperwork and services that Roberta found at The Landing MN. She found people—real people—who saw her, listened to her, and cared. Today, she continues to come to The Landing MN most days, not out of necessity, but out of connection. She plays games, shares stories, and leans into a community that makes her feel human again.

Her physical transformation has been just as remarkable as her emotional one. Thanks to Brian from Active PT, who visits The Landing MN weekly, Roberta has made incredible strides. When she arrived in Rochester, walking a block was painful and exhausting. Today, she walks all over town, has lost weight, and has her diabetes under control. She beams with pride as she recounts a recent milestone—boarding a city bus without having to set her bags down to use her hands. The driver, recognizing her progress, clapped. So did another passenger. That moment of shared celebration meant everything.

Roberta currently lives at the AmericInn, where the staff have welcomed her warmly. It’s more affordable than a furnished apartment, and the bonus of pool access allows her to continue her physical therapy exercises. She loves their breakfast, too—a small but meaningful comfort in her daily routine.

When we asked Roberta if there’s anything we could be doing better at The Landing MN, her response was swift:

“No! I love it here.”

She loves the garden out back, the freedom to come and go, and the dignity that comes with that freedom. She speaks highly of staff members like Jerry—“he’s my age, funny, and he really cares”—and Ashley, who reminds her of herself when she was younger. They’ve shared travel stories and laughter, building a friendship that spans generations.

Roberta has fallen in love with Rochester and hopes to make it her permanent home. She dreams of finding a one-level condo where she can settle into retirement without worrying about stairs or yard work. But what moves us most is that Roberta has goals again. Real, tangible goals. A future. She talks about traveling—something she never thought possible just months ago.

“I would’ve never dreamed I could travel again,” she says.

Without The Landing MN, Active PT, and the wider Rochester community, she knows she wouldn’t be where she is today.

At The Landing MN, we often say we don’t just provide services—we walk alongside people. Roberta’s journey is a beautiful reminder that healing happens not just through medicine, but through community, dignity, and hope.

Here’s to your next 35 years, Roberta. We’re honored to be part of your story.