From the Hearts of Our Volunteers

Fore a Golfer

The client was dressed in his coat and hat when I arrived.  He was anxious and kept saying, “I haven't played in a few months.”  We traveled by car to the golf course, it was the same course he used to golf on with a group from his current residence..   Even though he was a little unsteady on his feet, his "golfing" was amazing.  I'd place a few balls on the practice green and he would putt toward the chosen hole.  After doing this for 15 minutes, I rearranged the balls and circled the hole with ten balls, about five feet from the hole, and to my surprise, he made 8 of 10!  He putted as though he quit playing yesterday!  After about 45 minutes, he was tired so I took him home.  Upon returning to the nursing home the staff asked him how he did.  He told them he did well and said, “After all, I golfed for 34 years and I was very good.’”  You should have seen him, he was beaming!  This was by far the most rewarding feedback for me and it sure seemed to make his day.

 

She Has Moxie

As soon as I arrived my client announced, "I have no idea if it's morning or night, if I've eaten or not, but I'm all yours! So you figure it out."  Again, she was amazing at exercise class and obviously enjoys it.  She loves being recognized by folks she used to know who stop to greet her.  “It makes me happy,” she says, "Even if I don't remember them!”

 

A Tiger's Fan

When I arrived she was sleeping in her bed.  Upon waking, she seemed glad to see me.  We read The Kalamazoo Gazette, checking for local news and, of course, the report of Thursday's Detroit Tiger's Game.  She missed hearing the game on Thursday so I asked the aide to please be sure the radio got turned on tonight at 7:05 pm.  I checked the radio and made sure it was tuned to the right station.  She was happy she was going to hear the game.  After the paper, we read some more of the book about the 1968 World Series in which the Tigers played and won.  I stayed until her dinner arrived.  She indicated that she needed help eating.  She mentioned to me today that she is dying and that it's okay.  Her son told me she had talked about looking forward to seeing her husband again.