Florence Woman Turns Personal Struggle into Safe Haven for Caregivers

Mark White | The Mark White Show

Florence, Ala. - Out of one mother’s tragedy has come a place of rest and hope for countless families across the country.

When Carolyn Wheeler O’Byrne’s 17-month-old daughter Daisy suffered congestive heart failure in 2003, O’Byrne spent weeks in a Nashville hospital parking lot, sleeping in a borrowed van, washing up in restrooms, and living on worry and prayer. It was during those long nights that she made a quiet promise to herself and to God: if Daisy survived, she would one day create a place of comfort for others going through the same struggle.

Two decades later, that vision became Daisy’s Place, a home in Florence offering short-term stays to caregivers with loved ones in nearby hospitals and medical facilities.

“We provide a safe place for families to rest, eat, and regroup,” O’Byrne said. “It’s often the difference between sleeping in a waiting room and finding a few hours of peace.”

Since opening in July 2024, Daisy’s Place has served families from 13 different states, offering food, laundry facilities, and emotional support for those enduring medical crises far from home.

The effort recently brought O’Byrne recognition as TimesDaily’s Woman of the Year, an honor she says belongs not to her but to the mission itself.“I wish the award could go to Daisy’s Place,” she said. “This isn’t about me, it’s about helping others when life feels impossible.”

To further support caregivers, O’Byrne also authored Thriving Caregiver, a book and companion journal designed to guide readers through the emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges of caregiving. She says the project grew from her own experience of neglecting her health while caring for her daughter.

“I was so focused on Daisy that I didn’t take care of myself,” she said. “At one point, I couldn’t even donate blood for her because I was so depleted. Caregivers need to know it’s okay to take care of themselves too.”

Through both her nonprofit and her writing, O’Byrne continues to build a network of encouragement for families in need. “We’ve seen how community changes everything,” she said. “People who have never met each other end up supporting one another through the hardest seasons of life.”

For more information about Daisy’s Place, visit Daisys-Place.org. To learn more about O’Byrne’s Thriving Caregiver books and journals, visit ThrivingCaregiver.com.