BUCYRUS—If you’ve been involved with local school activities or needed a photographer to capture special moments in your life, you’ve probably seen or been privy to the work of Maria Winemiller. Photos by Maria has been a well-established photography business since 2000.
Recently the beloved photographer has been dealing with a battle with COVID-19 that has left her unable to work.
Winemiller, who cared for her late husband Lance through a terminal illness, never thought she’d find herself in a position of needing care.
Winemiller, who lives alone, credits her close friend Aren Chandler, her mother, and her sister Tina Lafko in Arizona in collaboration with her son in Mansfield for saving her life.
When Maria did not respond to voice messages, calls, and texts, her friend, sister and mother sprang into action, not even knowing if Maria was alive. “ I was too weak to pick up my phone. I couldn’t remember the code to unlock my door. I thought I’d been alone for a few days, but it was closer to a week when the initiated welfare check resulted in a trip to Bucyrus Hospital.” Winemiller said.
After receiving treatment at the hospital that included antibody infusions, Maria was released and returned home with no further treatment possible.
Winemiller said God sustained her throughout the ordeal as she became progressively sicker. She felt God’s presence; “It was as if He was saying to me, “ Maria, we got this! He took all my pain. I had peace and no worries. I was looking for Lance and my dog.” Winemiller said.
However, God seemed to have other plans and sent her son Josh to look in on her again. Seeing her grave condition, he drove her immediately to the hospital in Mansfield near where he resides.
It was quickly determined that Maria had pneumonia. She also needed a special test that must be done by a specialist not available at the hospital.
She is scheduled to see a Pulmonologist but not until March. She is currently on oxygen. She is suffering from vision problems that require specialist treatment as well. She remains quite weak but is focused on the bigger picture.
Winemiller’s mother flew in from Arizona to take care of her daughter.
Self-employed and with lapsed insurance, Winemiller is unsure of when she’ll be able to return to her work as a photographer. Only second to the virus is the mounting expenses she faces.
Winemiller’s son has established a GoFundMe account to help his mother as she struggles to regain her health.
You can read more about Maria’s journey at the link below: