From Gary Johnson
Monroe
I want to share some recent experiences I have had with the Pleasant View Nursing Home.
This past October I was injured at my job, suffering a torn rotator in my right shoulder that required a significant surgical procedure. My recovery is now in its fourth month and after three-and-a-half months of sitting around the house, I knew I needed to get out and do something. I was fortunate enough to (discover) a volunteer opportunity at Pleasant View. I scheduled my first day of helping in any way I could on Monday, Feb. 14, filled with apprehension and curiosity. My world view of life in nursing homes was, I'm guessing, similar to that of many people, especially those, who like me, had limited experience. I was certain that I would be entering a place filled with sadness and lost hope, of limited activity and a sense of waiting, and boredom.
I have been wrong many times in my life, but never so wrong as I was about life at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Much to my surprise, I was just 10 minutes into my first day when I realized that Pleasant View is a place of activity and profound vigor. A community of residents who, while certainly limited physically are not limited in their yearn to continue living actively and even with great joy. I felt a jolt of guilt for assuming as I had what life would be like there. Certainly, my focus on my own temporary physical limitation now seems petty at best, and ironically, while I'm happy that those with whom I have had contact with are genuinely grateful for my help, it is them who have helped me more than they can possibly know. A new volunteer at Pleasant View gains celebrity status.
All of this leads me to the point. If you haven't spent some time with the residents at Pleasant View, you are missing out. You probably have the wrong idea of what life is like there, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how encouraging it can be to spend some time. There is a great need for volunteers, for just about anything, spending time one-on-one or participating in a card game, or craft time, well, the list of possibilities is endless. They need you, but in the end, I have no doubt that you will decide that you have needed them even more.
Monroe
I want to share some recent experiences I have had with the Pleasant View Nursing Home.
This past October I was injured at my job, suffering a torn rotator in my right shoulder that required a significant surgical procedure. My recovery is now in its fourth month and after three-and-a-half months of sitting around the house, I knew I needed to get out and do something. I was fortunate enough to (discover) a volunteer opportunity at Pleasant View. I scheduled my first day of helping in any way I could on Monday, Feb. 14, filled with apprehension and curiosity. My world view of life in nursing homes was, I'm guessing, similar to that of many people, especially those, who like me, had limited experience. I was certain that I would be entering a place filled with sadness and lost hope, of limited activity and a sense of waiting, and boredom.
I have been wrong many times in my life, but never so wrong as I was about life at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Much to my surprise, I was just 10 minutes into my first day when I realized that Pleasant View is a place of activity and profound vigor. A community of residents who, while certainly limited physically are not limited in their yearn to continue living actively and even with great joy. I felt a jolt of guilt for assuming as I had what life would be like there. Certainly, my focus on my own temporary physical limitation now seems petty at best, and ironically, while I'm happy that those with whom I have had contact with are genuinely grateful for my help, it is them who have helped me more than they can possibly know. A new volunteer at Pleasant View gains celebrity status.
All of this leads me to the point. If you haven't spent some time with the residents at Pleasant View, you are missing out. You probably have the wrong idea of what life is like there, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how encouraging it can be to spend some time. There is a great need for volunteers, for just about anything, spending time one-on-one or participating in a card game, or craft time, well, the list of possibilities is endless. They need you, but in the end, I have no doubt that you will decide that you have needed them even more.
