 |
| Blankets with Panache |
This week, Eve and I had the pleasure of receiving five gorgeous and creative handmade tactile lap quilts (also referred to as "busy blankets") from one of our volunteers, Barb Cockrell. For those who may not be familiar, these quilts are typically designed for people experiencing anxiety, agitation and/or dementia and can be extremely helpful in an effort to busy their hands while calming their minds.
Barb's quilts are made from squares of soft, velvety flannel, satin, shaggy and/or yummy fabric! Each has its own personality! In addition, notice the various buttons, zippers, ties, do-dads, snaps - and even, a squishy football (move over Peyton Manning)!
If you know of an individual who would benefit from one of these quilts, please let us know. And, if any of you have (or know people who have), talents in this area, we would love to have additional quilts made to share with our patients as needed. Let me know if you would like additional information about helping with this effort.
And, on behalf of everyone at Agape, thank you Barb! The fruits of your labor are truly lovely and deeply appreciated.
With warmth and gratitude for each you,
Beth Kelly
Today seems a particularly fitting day for a "Wednesday Warmth." Thanks to everyone who is braving the elements to be sure our folks are well cared for and tucked-in during this cold weather snap.
I am coming up on my 10-year anniversary in CO, and weather like this still takes my breath away. This edition of "Wednesday Warmth" includes an excerpt from a visit note received from our lovely volunteer, Jan. I believe this would have been a touching moment for most of us, but particularly for Jan. She has always been so generous in sharing that one of the primary reasons she volunteers in hospice is because she cared for her beloved husband Fred prior to his passing from early on-set Alzheimer's. Fred was a Cardiologist in Denver and Jan worked at the same hospital. That is where the love story began. Some, though not enough, years later, Fred was stricken with Alzheimer's at a young age. When Jan meets with our new volunteers, she is vulnerable enough to share this story and also remind everyone to never forget, "there is still someone in there." Read on for Jan's most recent experience."Sylvie (who has end stage Dementia) and I sat at the table together after her daughter left and talked for a bit. She wanted to go and wanted me to take her so I wheeled her over by the couch, where we sat and talked. Then she wanted to go again, so I wheeled her to where I could sit in a chair beside her. We were sitting there, I was holding her hand, and a song came on the radio that said “Hello is there anyone in there” and I repeated that to Sandee. She looked me right in the eyes (which she doesn’t usually do) and said “There sure is”! I said, "Yes there is, isn’t there?" and she shook her head yes. It was a very touching moment."Thanks for such a poignant and beautiful reminder, Jan. And thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers who give of their spirits, time and energy each and every day...
Beth Kelley, Volunteer Services Manager
