Connie Williams and her husband Richard have lived in a little house in Platte City, Missouri for 33 years. With her husband in poor health, Connie, 65, has never made close friends. Richard, 71, suffered from PTSD after the Vietnam War and later developed diabetes as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange. In November 2013, Richard broke his hip and was moved into a nursing home. He now faces the amputation of his second leg. Over time, Connie turned from wife to main caretaker left with only the company of her beloved dogs and birds. Occasionally, Connie's son Pat, 39, and her granddaughter Emmy, 6, visit her from Kansas.

The last few years have become more difficult as Richard's health deteriorates creating financial worries as well. Connie's animals comfort her and remind her of the life she once had with Richard. Connie believes that much depends on your perspective on life and she remains positive. Lately she has turned to the Japanese healing practice of Reiki to cope with her stress and exhaustion.