DENVER -- ABC's 7 has awarded a Westminster woman $5,000 for her work to comfort those experiencing a crisis.

The Fredricks' story is heartbreaking, but it’s also an inspiration for keeping a positive attitude through life's challenges.

Linda Fredrick is a cancer survivor and devoted wife who spends her days taking care of her husband. Jerry Fredrick lost his speech and mobility after a brain hemorrhage suffered during a bicycle crash last year. Although doctors are optimistic about his recovery, it is unclear how long that will take and how extensive the medical bills will become.

"He's worth every penny of it, every ounce of time that I spend," said Linda Fredrick.

Jerry lost the ability to speak and swallow and although he currently has movement in his arms and legs, they are not controlled movements. While hospitalized, Jerry contracted a staph infection and pneumonia, yet was sent home with his continuing symptoms.

Linda knew something serious was going on and through her advocacy he was admitted to another hospital and diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Jerry had a shunt inserted into his brain and has only been back home since Thanksgiving.

Linda is unable to work because she must care for Jerry around the clock. Linda also had to cash in the retirement funds she and Jerry had in order to help pay for the hospital bills. Although doctors are optimistic regarding Jerry’s recovery, there is no telling how much time it will take for him to recover fully. Jerry's need for ongoing care, medications, and rehabilitation continue to drain the family financially.

But perhaps the greatest family tragedy was the loss of their daughter; a mother of two who was murdered in 2001 by her husband.

The man was sentenced to life in prison and Linda and Jerry raised their two grandchildren in their daughter's absence. The family wanted to do something to honor the memory of their daughter, so they created the Teddy Bear Tea.

The Teddy Bear Tea brings family and friends together for tea at the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. Attendees collect stuffed animals, which are then distributed to victims' advocates who give them out to to others who are grieving and/or healing from a traumatic event. So far, more than 1,000 stuffed animals have been collected.

"We hoped that the teddy bears would give them understanding they weren't alone. That there were other people who had these grave losses," said Linda Fredrick.

Exemplifying the true spirit of this award, Linda plans to use 10 percent of the $5,000 award that she received to help another person in need.

The Fredricks were nominated for the American Dream award by Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime Foundation, which grants wishes for low-income seniors.

"When I first read the wish application that the Fredricks' sent to me, a tear came to my eye," said Bloom, a football standout at the University of Colorado and an US Olympic skier.

His foundation had previously helped the Fredricks purchase a lift seat for their van so Jerry was not confined to his home.

"I believe many people regrettably move on from this world with unfilled dreams. I have been very fortunate in my own life to have had the ability and the resources to chase every dream that I have ever imagined and I am delighted to start a foundation that will help others do the same," said Bloom.

And thanks to the Fredricks' work in the community, ABC 7 has also awarded $5,000 to the foundation to help these wishes come true.

If you would like more information about Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime Foundation and their upcoming fundraiser on April 30, got to WishofALifetimeFoundation.org.