Special Memo

First Hospital Visit 

While channel surfing one Friday evening, I came across the show Three Wishes. In case you haven’t seen it, Christian and pop music star Amy Grant, along with a few friends, go across the country visiting small towns. During each visit they grant three wishes to three individuals.

It seems to me, most of the wishes have been for someone else, other than for the person who is making the wish. I find this show to be very moving. Living in this day and age, when it seems so many people appear to be selfish as well as having a difficult time just getting along, it warms the heart to see there are still many kind, generous and caring people in this world.

One story that particularly touched me was about a young girl who, if I recall correctly, had spent a great deal of time in hospital. I believe it was in the second episode. Although, while checking the Web site for information on the show, I saw that in the first two episodes they granted wishes for young girl. So, it could have been either episode. Either way, the young girls’ wish was to give books to children in hospitals.

That’s when it hit me; I could do the same thing! Maybe not on the same scale as this young girl, but I had something she didn’t – access to books that I’ve written! As a child, as well as an adult, I’ve spent my fair share of time in hospitals, so I’m able to understand how exciting this could be, from the children’s point of view.

I decided to call a near-by hospital, and ask a few questions. I was directed to the volunteer office. After explaining what I wanted to do, Beverly said she’d get back to me after she checked a few things out. A short time later, everything was set. I would pay the children in Kelowna General Hospital a visit on November 9^th 2005. (Just a side note here. Years ago when I thought of doing something similar at a hospital closer to me, I was told they don’t usually have many children. I left them a copy of my first two children’s books to be placed in their children’s ward library.)   

On the 9^th, the books were ready and so were we. Once inside the hospital, we headed for the volunteer’s office. There I met the volunteer who’d take us upstairs, after parking the car of course! KGH, as it is known to locals, has been growing for sometime now, and parking hasn’t quite kept up. I was directed to park the car in the doctor’s parking! How privileged I felt. I appreciated their concern for me, being a person with limited physical strength and all. (I try not to use the term disabled, even if that is what I am.)

As we headed to the children’s ward, our volunteer took the bags of books from Mom. Once in the ward, we were taken to the play room. Several nurses brought the children in. It broke our hearts to see these adorable little ones dragging their I.V. poles behind them, after all; I know how much an I.V. can hurt while being put in.

When everyone was gathered around, I sat in a rocking chair there and read, The Rocking Chair Rescue. How appropriate. There was one little boy who shared a big chair, right beside me, with his mom. He was so sweet, with his dark hair and dark eyes. It seemed to me that he was very excited about “becoming six years old when it snows”.

I was delighted when, this little boy in particular, laughed during the story in all the right places. The story ended to a round of applause, and many smiles from one and all.

I then signed a few books for the children and spoke not only with our volunteer, but with the mothers of the children. Some didn’t realize the story was about my brother and me, or that to this day, I still have the rocking chair from the story. I suppose I’ll have to mention that during our next visit.

At the nurses’ station, just before leaving the ward, I signed a few more books for children who, for whatever reason, weren’t able to attend our reading. While waiting for permission to have my picture taken with one of the children, we met a worried mother in the hallway.

It turns out; she and her daughter had been in a car accident. (Not their fault.) The little girl had been in the back seat, and her face had been lacerated by all the breaking and flying glass. My heart went out to this wee one. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet her as she’d endured a rough night, and was now, finally, asleep. I did leave a book for her though.  

Soon it was time to meet Kyla. We were taken to her room where we found her bright eyed and sitting in bed. Once I’d showed the volunteer how my camera worked, I settled next to Kyla. After she pointed out that I had sat on her stuffed companions, I quickly jumped up. As I handed them to Kyla I told her I too had stuffed animals when I was little. I asked if she could guess what I had – she couldn’t. When I said one had been a skunk, she laughed and asked if it stunk. I assure her, he didn’t.

After our picture was taken, before leaving we spoke briefly to Kyla’s Mom. I heard from Kyla a few days later. (You may read her e-mail in our Guest Book.) Thank-you for your kind words Kyla, you made my day!

This was what I hope will be, the first of many visits to children, not only at Kelowna General Hospital, but hospitals throughout British Columbia. It’s never fun to be hospitalized and if we can make just one day, a little brighter for these children, well, isn’t that what life is all about – doing for others?

If you would like to help us reach more children by becoming a, “Book Sponsor” please contact me at kat@shorthandpublishing.com  We can visit children without your support, but think about how many more children will be reached as a result of your support! What better gift could there be? 

I'd like to thank Lumby's I.D.A Pharmacy for becoming a sponsor. I'd also like to thank  Winn Automotive in Kelowna, for also becoming a sponsor! Bless you both for caring about children.

So until next time, be well and read much! J

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