Wednesday, March 1
Here are few comments about the most rewarding and most challenging experiences for the groups so far.
The most rewarding part of the work done so far has to be the smies that we bring to the residents faces. Their smiles dearly ashow how an act as simple as going for a walk or tossing a ball can truly brighten somones day.
One of the most difficult aspects for me has been communication with some of the residents; I have found myself frustrated not being able to talk with and understand the wants and needs of people who either aren't able to speak or can't speak clearly.
Adrienne Winchester
When one of the elderly women told me that we would be friends for life after we spent an afternoon together and took a picture together.When I learned that some of the residents were abandoned by their families.
Angela Zamarripa
The high point for me was seeing the smiles on the faces when working with the residents at the park and getting to know them one on one.
The most challegning part for me is learning about thier struggles from them and hearing their stories and then how to react to them.
John Horne
The high point of the week was going to teh park with the residents and seeing their excitement while playing games and looking at manatees and fish.
My low point was tying to communicate with some of the restidents.
Casey Binkley
I really enjoyed spending one-on-one time with the residents. At the state park, I went on a nature walk with one older lady. We swapped stories about our families and laughed a lot. Iw as impressed at how other people at the park didn't stare or treat the residents rudley.
It is most difficult to work with the residents who cannot talk because you don't know if you are reaching them. FInding a way to connect without workds has been challenging, but not impossible!
Shannon Dier
The high point of my week would defintely be during the Blue Spring outing. I loves seeing the smiles and hearing the laughs of the residents as they played with the parachute, tossed the rings, and watched the "see cows".
The low point of me week has been hearing the personal stories of the residents. It was so sad hearing how a particular patient became disabled because of a car accident.
Drew Emge
The best part of this experience for me has been bringing smiles to all of the residents faces
The most challenging part of this experience is not knowing if those who cannot communicate to me understand what I am communicating to them.
Cathy Ballentine
The most rewarding thing for me is that your simple presence and listening ears can bring a smile to someone's face.
The most challenging thing for me is the road blocks that agencies have to fact to provide care for their residents.
Sallie Sheide
The best part of this week is seeing how proud the clients are of thier families, how they love recalling memories, and seeing how happy they are when they ask you if you're friends and you answer yes.
The most challenging part has been coping with the fact that contact with drool is comon and making sure you clean up failry frequently to avoid spreading germs.
Amanda Abramczyk
The most rewarding part is seeing how such simple things bring such joy to the residents, telling them our stories, blowing bubbles, having places to be, offering their coat to someone cold, watching someone else enjoy strawberry, singing...any time with them is time spent well.
My first, innate, reaction when walking into the Duvall Home was the reaction that I would mormally think down on people for. I thought that I wasn't sure how well I would be able to interact with the residents. It quickly went away, but I still feel bad that the thought ever crossed my mind.
Rachel N.
The most rewarding part of this trip is just working with the residents. Being able to bring smiles to their faces and see how happy they get when talking with them. Another thing that is rewarding for me is to be able to distingish what some of the residents have because I am a Special Ed major.
The most challenging thing for me is the fact that we cannot truly understand what each resident is in need of and how to help them so they get the full benefits. Also, not being able to communicate with some of the residents is very hard because you are not sure what they need and it is hard to help them.
Megan Coffin
Posted: Thu, March 2nd, 2006 at 2:17PM
