Letters From Canada - 5
Only a handful of people in my life are constantly a source of joy. Linda is definitely on top of that list. Always cheerful, always positive, but best of all, she is never critical of my sermons in church even when the other faithful with their facial expression are displaying a “wrap it up” message.
Yet her life is not without crosses. Born with spinal bifida 26 years ago, resulting in a crooked spinal cord, she walks with crutches her left leg dragging. Kidney problems along with congestive heart failure add to her medical complications. Her father passed away after heart surgery, leaving Linda to care for ailing Mother fighting breast cancer.
The church congregation jumped right in with rotational chauffeur service for Linda and her mom to medical appointments, grocery shopping, church attendance and other needs. In kind, Linda helps everyone in any way she is able to assist. She watches and entertains, children, pets, and the elderly. She is available to house sit when deliveries are scheduled and the owners are not home.
Linda enjoys volunteering at the Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. She engages residents with readings from the Bible and leads them in song. Some people cheerfully respond, but others stoically rest in their wheelchairs gazing at Linda. Patiently, She listens as some of the residents vent or recall past good or bad memories. But Linda requires a smile from everyone during every visit.
Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center boast as the best Orthopedic Rehab Center in Canada. Therefore no surprise that William (CEO) showed up following post ankle surgery. Barking at the admission staff for being slow he recited the ordeal that cursed his week of golf in the sunshine state of Arizona. It was hard to determine the ire of his disposition. Was it the injury itself accompanied with tournament lost or the Arizona medical staff not realizing he is a rich Canadian and hassling him with insurance paperwork or just being confine to a wheelchair.
After one physical therapy session, William wheeled himself into the common recreational room. Quickly his attention was drawn to the handicap young girl reading from the bible surrounded by elderly residents, some in wheelchairs, some sound asleep. How long has she been a resident remarked William to staff member Tina? “No!” Linda is a volunteer. With astonishment William replied, that reading to people asleep or with one foot in the afterlife is waste of time. Following the biblical reading, Linda’s group continued with singing of gospel hymns. William asked Tina if she could relocate this tabernacle choir that is singing off key to a remote section of the home were it would be less annoying. As the staff member walked away, he murmured, I need to have a talk with this Florence Nightingale.
To be continued March 1 in "Letters from Canada * 6"
Only a handful of people in my life are constantly a source of joy. Linda is definitely on top of that list. Always cheerful, always positive, but best of all, she is never critical of my sermons in church even when the other faithful with their facial expression are displaying a “wrap it up” message.
Yet her life is not without crosses. Born with spinal bifida 26 years ago, resulting in a crooked spinal cord, she walks with crutches her left leg dragging. Kidney problems along with congestive heart failure add to her medical complications. Her father passed away after heart surgery, leaving Linda to care for ailing Mother fighting breast cancer.
The church congregation jumped right in with rotational chauffeur service for Linda and her mom to medical appointments, grocery shopping, church attendance and other needs. In kind, Linda helps everyone in any way she is able to assist. She watches and entertains, children, pets, and the elderly. She is available to house sit when deliveries are scheduled and the owners are not home.
Linda enjoys volunteering at the Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. She engages residents with readings from the Bible and leads them in song. Some people cheerfully respond, but others stoically rest in their wheelchairs gazing at Linda. Patiently, She listens as some of the residents vent or recall past good or bad memories. But Linda requires a smile from everyone during every visit.
Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center boast as the best Orthopedic Rehab Center in Canada. Therefore no surprise that William (CEO) showed up following post ankle surgery. Barking at the admission staff for being slow he recited the ordeal that cursed his week of golf in the sunshine state of Arizona. It was hard to determine the ire of his disposition. Was it the injury itself accompanied with tournament lost or the Arizona medical staff not realizing he is a rich Canadian and hassling him with insurance paperwork or just being confine to a wheelchair.
After one physical therapy session, William wheeled himself into the common recreational room. Quickly his attention was drawn to the handicap young girl reading from the bible surrounded by elderly residents, some in wheelchairs, some sound asleep. How long has she been a resident remarked William to staff member Tina? “No!” Linda is a volunteer. With astonishment William replied, that reading to people asleep or with one foot in the afterlife is waste of time. Following the biblical reading, Linda’s group continued with singing of gospel hymns. William asked Tina if she could relocate this tabernacle choir that is singing off key to a remote section of the home were it would be less annoying. As the staff member walked away, he murmured, I need to have a talk with this Florence Nightingale.
To be continued March 1 in "Letters from Canada * 6"
