Islands are often described as being close-knit communities, places where everyone knows everyone else. In times of trouble, islanders rally together to support one another, showing the positive side of a close-knit community. Old-fashioned traditions that the rest of the world has left behind still exist on islands.
So social networking Web sites, where disconnected people find communities, are not necessarily needed on an island. But for Swan’s Island residents, the Web site Facebook recently played a huge part in bringing this community even closer together during a time of need for one of its lobstermen.
While on vacation with his wife Wendy, and daughter Emmie Sawyer, lobsterman Spencer Joyce suffered a major stroke at his daughter Jaime’s home in Texas. Spencer underwent emergency surgery at a Texas hospital. Early reports of his stroke stunned the island community.
Like all small communities, reports about Spencer’s conditions circulated the island like wildfire. What really happened? What was his condition? Where was he? What were they doing for him? How could family and friends keep up on the latest developments of Spencer’s condition?
That’s when technology came into play. Instead of making hundreds of calls to family and friends on the island, Jaime Joyce let hundreds of people know her Dad’s condition several times a day by using her Blackberry to post information on Facebook. Within days, Jaime started receiving requests from family and friends to join her on Facebook.
“The response from family and friends was overwhelming and so awesome. There were so many people that would respond to each update,” said Jaime. “Prayers and encouragement flowed from Maine to Texas like a flood. I could feel their thoughts and prayers surrounding and uplifting us constantly. I received over 100 ‘friend’ requests in the two weeks following Dad’s stroke. There were so many people that wanted to keep up-to-date on Dad’s progress. The distance didn’t matter.”
Many requests came from Swan’s Island, but many were also from people from the mainland who knew her dad. Some had moved away from Swan’s Island years ago, but they still care about the island and Spencer and his family. The online community continued to grow with each passing day.
Once Spencer left the hospital, he was transferred to Health South, a rehabilitation facility in Midland, Texas. Jaime kept up her Facebook updates, adding photographs, and even video clips. After the first few weeks, Spencer’s daughter Emmie had to return to her home on Frenchboro. It was hard for Emmie to leave her dad and mom in Texas, but she said, “Jaime was very diligent about posting information on Dad’s progress. The videos were very encouraging. They gave me good peace of mind.”
Back on Swan’s, Emmie let people know about the renovations to her parent’s home. Emmie and her brother Josh, along with many other community members, worked on the home so it could accommodate their father’s physical limitations upon his return.
“The use of Facebook allowed us an easy way to set people’s minds at ease and gave us the time we needed to concentrate on dad and his activities,” said Emmie. “During such a stressful time, it allowed us to see the love and support of our family and friends which was really helpful.”
Spencer’s nephew, Kenny LeMoine, III, created a Facebook group called “Get Well Spencer Joyce.” Kenny updated Spencer’s condition and announced several fundraisers that were set up to help Spencer and his family with expenses. More than 200 supporters of Spencer joined the group to keep informed on his progress. Kenny said, “I felt helpless with Spencer so far away. I just felt like I needed to do something and using Facebook was the best way to reach as many people as possible quickly. It was therapy for me as much as anything else. I felt like I was doing something to help.”
Two fundraisers, a benefit dinner hosted by The Captain’s Galley, and a benefit concert at the Swan’s Island school featuring Wade Dow and Friends, netted more than $15,000. In a lobstering community in this difficult economic time, the outpouring of support for Spencer and his family has been overwhelming.
Spencer arrived home to Swan’s Island on May 5 and was greeted by a large crowd of family, friends, and a parade of fire trucks at the ferry terminal upon his arrival. Spencer was able to get out of the car and hugged and spoke with many of his well-wishers. He is continuing to work hard to improve his health and regain his mobility. He has made great progress since suffering the stroke. When asked how it felt to be back home on Swan’s Island, Spencer responded, “Great. It’s wicked good to be home!”