Regina Holliday became an advocate for patient after the death of her husband, Frederick Allen Holliday II. His struggle to get appropriate care occurred over 11 weeks of continuous hospitalization at five different facilities. Today’s blog, reprinted with permission, was originally posted toRegina Holliday’s Medical Advocacy Blog in September 2011.
Today, once again, I was waiting in a line at an airport.
Acts of kindness are as steeped in holiday tradition as eggnog and carolers, but the compassion of a dedicated individual can stand out as a shining example of selflessness, even in a season dedicated to giving. Bob Wertenberger, a Crossroads patient in Foxwood Springs, has such compassion. When asked to plan his “Gift of a Day,” a day that patients can spend however they want, Wertenberger chose to do something he’s done his whole life – give back.
It comes on suddenly: a burst of irritability and depression. You lose your sense of humor and ability to concentrate. You feel emotionally empty–like you’ve hit a brick wall. And sometimes, you’re angry and frustrated by all the things and people in your life, including the loved ones who need you most.
“Hospice has a stigma because it comes at the end of life, but it’s really an acceptance of the end of life. We’re all connected to it. We will all eventually die. My experience with hospice made me want to live a better life and do the things I’ve been afraid to do.” — Molly Jones, volunteer
Dwight Halloway grew up in the town of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, less than one hour away from the infamous “Horseshoe” stadium – home to Ohio State’s storied football program. His passion for the Buckeyes took root there when he was a child and now at age 91, Halloway is as big a fan as ever.
When Betty Thompson’s mother was ill, she turned to hospice to help provide care. “They were so good with her,” she remembers. Once she retired, she was looking for a way to give back and came across a blurb in the local paper about volunteering with Crossroads Hospice.
