Children's Specialized Hospital

The next five weeks were very hard for Jill. She went everyday for therapy, and I silently cried while she cried out loud. While we would sit in her room, we could hear children crying and some even screaming. It would break my heart to hear so many children in their rooms with no one to comfort them. The nurses were spread thin, and there was no way that I would leave Jill there alone for even a minute. Yet there were so many who were left alone everyday. I asked the nurse if I could go in their rooms and talk to them or hold them. She said the only way you could do that would to become a volunteer. Well, that was easy! When Jill was released from the hospital, she spent the whole summer going for therapy four days a week. She went from a wheelchair, to standing a little, to using a walker, and finally walking short distances. Then we went to sign up to become volunteers. We had to go through a series of TB tests, orientation, and a walk on the unit which we knew like the back of our hand. I just wanted to get my hands on those kids!!! Our volunteer picture cards were printed, we got our lanyards, and we started going every single day. We would go after Jill's therapy, (and I would cheat and go while she was even in therapy!)  We became friends with so many of the children, (and we were already familiar with all of the nurses.) I don't think we ever missed a day unless one of us had a cold. Then we would suffer from withdrawals until we could go again.