CoverMyQuest 2019 – Winners Share Their Stories
CoverMyQuest: Updates from Our 2019 Winners
| Jenny Rogers
The beauty of CoverMyQuest is that no idea is too big, too small or too out there.
Take a few of last year’s winning ideas: delivering medical supplies in the Himalayas, racing a penny-farthing in England and writing a graphic novel.
Of the more than 100 people who signed up for the 2019 CoverMyQuest, our panel of judges selected 10 for their innovative ideas and commitment to living CoverMyMeds’ core values — and awarded them $4,000 mini grants to pursue their adventures.
Our world looks different than it did last August, and many of our Questers had to put their plans on hold due to COVID-19. Here, they share updates on what they achieved and what they’re planning for the future.
Jesús Arrayago: CoverMyVisas – And CoverMyReunion
I’ve been away from my family for six years now, and I helped my mom flee Venezuela and settle in Argentina. Since then, she, my sister and brother have also been away from the rest of our family. While in Argentina, my grandma passed away, and my mom didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. So, I decided I wanted to try to help her go back to Venezuela for a bit to say goodbye to my grandpa, her father. It might sound easy, but it’s a complicated process.
After I won CoverMyQuest, I was able to get a ticket for my mom’s sister to flee Venezuela and reunite with my mom. In the meantime, the situation in Venezuela got even worse and, for safety purposes, we decided that my mom shouldn’t go back yet. Therefore, she hasn’t been able to see my grandpa, but we are keeping an extra eye on him and sending financial aid every month to keep him as healthy as possible.
This process takes so long, and COVID-19 has definitely made it even more complicated. But, I’m happy the whole process has at least started. My mom reunited with her sister, and we’ve started the passport renewal process, which in Venezuela takes forever — and is expensive due to the high inflation. I still haven’t seen my family since 2014, but I’m excited to know that at least we are on our way there, like people in America say, “slowly but surely.”
I’ve created an Instagram account for those who would like to follow up with this story.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to give my family a smile in the midst of everything that my country, Venezuela, is going through.
Johnny Barton: “This is What?”
I was able to record my vocals on four of the songs for my new album, “This is what?,” as well as bass guitar — performed by our own account specialist, Peter Shumaker. However, quarantine started right when the other performers were scheduled to hit the studio.
This extra time has allowed me to work on additional songs that might be included on the album, and I’m hoping to record a COVID-19 mixtape in my garage that will include the others. I don’t have a timeline for when I’ll return to the actual studio, but I’m excited about what this completed project is going to sound like.
Amy Miller: A Trip for Her Parents’ 40th Wedding Anniversary
My Quest was to send my parents to Italy for their 40th wedding anniversary, and I was so elated when I found out that I was one of the winners. I completely surprised my parents; they had no idea I was trying to pitch this for them. My mom was in tears and couldn’t understand how this was happening. My dad, a very frugal man, couldn’t believe he received a gift like this to take such a trip.
My parents wasted no time in planning their trip — which turned out to be the best decision, as none of us knew COVID-19 was coming! In November 2019, they went to Italy, where they spent some time in Rome and Florence. They were in awe everywhere they went, and they especially loved Florence. They were amazed at the beauty in all of the architecture and took many walks around both cities, exploring and people watching. They took a pizza and gelato cooking class, toured many famous sites and my dad enjoyed trying to talk to anyone he could.
Unfortunately, due to the remote nature of where my mom’s family is from — and a lack of connection to anyone speaking English there —they were unable to travel to the exact location of her ancestors. Nevertheless, this trip was a dream come true for my parents, especially my mom, who got to finally see the land her family had always told her about.
Since returning, my mom has said to me multiple times, “Amy, I think about Florence almost every day when I wake up,” and “Besides getting married, having my kids and grandkids, that trip was one of the best things I have ever experienced in my entire life!”
Nirdesh Bhandari: Med-Trek across the Himalayas
My Quest was to do a med-trek across the Himalayas with the nonprofit Education and Health Nepal.
Given how exciting this trip was, I was able to get (CoverMyMeds data warehouse developer) David Humeston on board, and we had a solid plan laid out for the trip, starting on August 15 of this year.
Our plan was a 14-day trip during which we’d travel from Kathmandu (4,600 feet) to Dharapani (6,100 feet) and then to Mungje-Manang (11,500 feet). The goal was to get the equipment at Kathmandu and set up at the other two locations, where we’d accompany other doctors and volunteers from Europe and the U.S.
After the Med-trek, we planned to hike across the Annapurna Circuit to the lakeside city of Pokhara before returning to the states.
The world has changed quite drastically since March, so we’ve postponed this trip until the situation gets better. We’re hoping to complete the Quest next summer.
Jenni Brown: Happy Little Quest
For my Quest, I planned to travel to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, to train to become a Bob Ross Certified Instructor. After 120 hours of intensive Bob Ross landscape training, I’ll be able to teach others the joy of painting, as well.
I’m hoping to complete my Quest when it’s safe to travel to Florida again — I’m aiming for some time in 2021!
JP O’Donnell: International Penny-Farthing Race
For my Quest, I planned to travel with my father-in-law to Knutsford, England, to complete in the international penny-farthing race.
Since being selected as a Quest recipient, I’ve already logged over 1,200 miles on my penny farthing, and I’ve joined the Ohio Wheelman Club to aid in my training efforts. My father-in-law and I have also completed half a dozen long rides, including a 40-mile ride in northern Ohio. We hope to complete the Quest as soon as we’re able.
Sara Mellott: The Brotherhood Graphic Novel
The past year has been a journey up a mountain path of enlightenment and self-discovery that I had no real map for. My year started with passion and drive. A year later, I stand here wiser and more knowledgeable than I was before. You’re never aware of how few hours there are in a day until each minute matters.
I’ve spent the past year perfecting my process for drawing and growing an understanding for the professional field I was delving into. This year, I’ve grown professionally in both my career at CoverMyMeds and in my work on my graphic novel.
While I’m still working on the art for my graphic novel, I’m also submitting query letters and information to literary agents. It’s a long process but a rewarding one.
Even after a year, the journey isn’t over yet. I feel like I’ve reached the next point on the climb up the mountain, but I’m loving every moment of it. I look back at how far I’ve come, but I’m also looking forward to how much is still to go. Each step is an exciting new adventure and I’m eternally grateful for this opportunity and for the people by my side along the way.
Zach Palchesko: The Journey of a Lemon
My Quest was to take a car that’s the lemon-iest of lemons and turn it into a glorious driving machine that I’ll use to compete in the epic 24 Hours of Lemons race.
My plans are still roughly the same, and I plan to complete my Quest when things start to open back up — like welding shops and car parts and supply stores — and when I can get friends over to help with the build.
I plan to have this done within a year’s time if all goes well.
Meigan Way: CoverMyIdentity
My Quest plan was to travel to China in June to learn more about where I was born and to hopefully track down any biological relatives.
Ironically, my Quest would have taken me to Wuhan, China (20 min from my orphanage), where the coronavirus originated.
I won’t feel comfortable completing my Quest until a proven vaccine is released, because my parents will be going with me on this trip. My new date and overall plan is highly dependent on a vaccine release, travel restrictions and diplomacy between China and the U.S.
Jaimee Williams: CoverMyHope
I was lucky to be able to fully complete my Quest before lockdown. It was a whirlwind of emotions for me, not just because I have never travelled so much in such a short time (and by myself most of the time), but also because I was paying my respects to people I loved for the first time since they had passed.
Visiting my loved ones’ memorials really brought the reality of losing them to suicide to the surface, which was quite painful. A lot of healing took place, and I feel like I’ve grown so much through it. I was able to speak my peace and get the closure I was looking for, and I ended up bonding with people I already knew and with complete strangers.
In the end, my Quest brought so much joy, which wasn’t something I was expecting to experience. Overall, this journey wasn’t easy, but it was exactly what I needed to heal from the losses and, in turn, be able to help other suicide survivors. This gave some purpose to the tragedies, which only made me stronger as an individual. It was certainly an experience I will never forget, and I will be forever grateful to CoverMyMeds for giving me the opportunity to provide hope to myself and to those around me.