“The most wonderful, giving people'”Have you ever been stopped in your tracks at the appearance of a huge, yellow egg-shaped moon rising on the horizon on a warm summer night? Have you ever commented on the thrilling sight of a purple-and-orange sunset casting its magic over thousands of people in a valley or flatlands? Have you ever gone to the trouble of rising early to see the sunrise on the other side of a lake or over the peak of a mountain? If you have done these things, then in my definition, you are an astrologer, or at least an inspiring one.’
Thomas Moore, “The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life’ Cheryl Crise, a medical social worker, drew on noted sources such as Thomas Moore and philosopher/author Richard Tarnas as she shared her interest in astrology with participants at the eighth annual Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice Volunteer Recognition Conference held recently at the Holiday Inn in Belle Vernon.
“There is a renaissance of interest in astrology,’ said Crise, who works for Albert Gallatin.
Crise talked about astrological charts and sun signs and shared the works of authors, including Tarnas who wrote in “An Introduction to Archetypal Astrological Analysis, “…the birth chart is not the randomly allotted prison-structure of our inexorable fate, but can be seen rather as defining the basic structure of our potential unfolding – suggesting the personal gifts and trials that we have chosen for this lifetime to work with and evolve through. Astrology illuminates the fundamental archetypal dynamics that profoundly condition our lives, which is not to say they absolutely determine our lives.’
Crise then shared an astrological chart she created for Albert Gallatin volunteer coordinator Rosemary Hardy.
“You can see it’s important to her emotionally that she helps other people in some structured way,’ Crise said of Hardy. “She has strong traditional values. She’s emotionally attuned to the pain and suffering of others and it’s easy for her to identify with other people.’
And in an interesting segment, Crise shared information with the conference participants on how their sun signs might affect their hospice volunteer qualities.
Briefly, they included:
? Aries being willing to get to a patient’s home despite any obstacles.
? Taurus wanting to make time with a patient a pleasing experience.
? Gemini wanting to share the latest news bulletins.
? Cancer allowing a patient to reminisce about childhood memories.
? Leo having children and grandchildren as the favorite topic of conversation.
? Virgo wanting to be of perfect service to the patient.
? Libra wanting to make the patient’s day a beautiful one.
? Scorpio allowing the patient to confide in him or her.
? Sagittarius encouraging the patient to talk about his or her travels.
? Capricorn reminiscing about the good old days with a patient.
? Aquarius helping the patient to figure out how to use the videocassette recorder.
? Pisces feeding the fish, playing soothing music and spraying a pleasant fragrance.
Crise reminded the volunteers, however, “This is a very small part of the words to describe your work, because you are all complex people.’
In fact, Crise and the other speakers took time to praise work done by the volunteers.
“I know firsthand the difference you make in the lives of our patients and families,’ Crise said.
The Rev. Paul Lesher, pastor of Fairchance Free Methodist Church and Albert Gallatin spiritual counselor, who spoke about virtues, said, “Continue doing what you do because you do it well.’
Peggy Polito of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America said, “Hospice volunteers are the most wonderful, giving people.’
Hardy reported that Albert Gallatin volunteers logged 2,951.75 hours from March 2006 to April 2007. This is 7 percent utilization to paid provider time and above the Medicare requirement of 5 percent. Total cost savings added up to $53,801.09.
“The volunteer component has been a part of hospice since it started,’ Hardy said. “We must show recruitment, retention and recognition so today is one of the ways we try to recognize our volunteers throughout the year. They are remarkable people.’
Hospice volunteers serve the entire family and provide respite, telephone reassurance and bereavement calls as well as do office work that affects the patients in indirect ways.
“Many times volunteers don’t see the family but they are making an impact,’ said Hardy. “… If people explore what hospice is, they can find there’s something for everyone. It’s a beautiful form of giving.’
The conference honored several volunteers with significant years of service, including Lee Swift of Cardale and Sister Innocentia Subrick of Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, who have been volunteering for 10 years.
Swift said, “It’s the most gratifying thing you could ever find.’
Subrick said, “I try to cheer every one of my patients, to make them smile. They’re really special to me.’
Other volunteers who were honored included Lisa Tittnich of Smock, Violet Douglas of New Eagle, and Ida Denitti of Smithton for 10 years service, and Jim Ihlenfeld of Butler and Arch MacDonald of Charleroi for one year of service.
Besides recognition, the conference sought to educate and enlighten its participants.
In his comments called “Fruit That Never Goes Out of Season,’ Lesher discussed virtues such as love, joy, peace, faithfulness and gentleness.
He asked probing questions and made thoughtful statements, such as “Why is it easier to show kindness to others than our own family?’ and “With happiness, we depend on others. Joy is based on choices. I’m joyful because I choose to be.’
Lesher said, “Inevitably, you will have conflicts. That’s part of a relationship. How you handle the conflicts can bring either more intimacy or destroy it.’ And, “Often people look at gentleness as weakness. It’s power under control. The best example was Jesus on the cross.’
The pastor also offered encouragement, noting, “We’re a work in progress. We have a lot of work to do. God is not finished with us.’
Peggy Polito and Peggy Humbert of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America talked about the rare disease as Albert Gallatin tries to include information on diseases to volunteers who may find themselves caring for these patients.
Polito said, “It’s rare. Only about 35,000 people in the United States have it and 200,000 are at risk. It affects thinking, feeling, behavior and movement.’
Although identified in 1872, the disease has been around since biblical times. It is a rare, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is no cure. It diminishes a person’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually the person becomes dependent on others for his or her care.
The women offered advice for managing behavior of people with Huntington’s Disease, including a handout with suggestions such as “Don’t argue with the person. Remember he or she may no longer have the ability to be as rational as you.’ “Don’t order the person around. Few of us like to be ‘bossed’ and the HD person is no exception. State directions positively rather than negatively. Instead of ‘You can’t go,’ say something like ‘Let’s look at these pictures.’ “Do offer ‘cooling off’ time in a quiet room. It can help the person regain control of feelings or behavior.’
Polito said, “They are people like us but with a terrible disease.’
The volunteers took in the information and asked their own thoughtful questions. They shared with each other throughout the day and commended the agency as well as the families for which they care.
Ann Davoli of Uniontown, who has volunteered for three years, commented, “Everybody’s real nice, real friendly. I feel like I’m doing something helpful and I love doing it.’
For more information on Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice, call 724-438-6660.