Two years ago Kim was helping to care for a 93 year old patient with Alzheimer's who had been a private pilot and who also sky-dived on her 85th birthday. Her Hospice of Palm Beach County volunteer said that every time she took the patient outside in her wheelchair she would look up at the planes flying and would say that she wanted to sky-dive again. The volunteer went back to the team and asked if that could be done, the team Physician said no -- but, she could go for a plane ride. The Volunteer Manager called Kim because she knew Kim had been involved in aviation and asked if she could help with a plan. At the time of the call Kim was driving in her car and decided to immediately go straight to the Lantana Airport. She told the Airport Manager about their plan and asked if he could help. Before she could get everything out the manager said, "You have a plane and a pilot; let me know when you want to do this, and by the way there’s no charge." The patient got to fly in the Captain's seat accompanied by the team Chaplain and Nurse. She loved it! The plane ride brought back wonderful memories for her. Kim and the others took pictures and they had an 8x10 photograph made for the patient sitting in the plane. The volunteer hung it on the wall at the patient's nursing home. And what is Kim’s response to such a fantastic gift? "That's why I come to work every day!"
Monday, September 13, 2010
Kim Daughtry, Volunteer Coordinator - Making wishes come true
Two years ago Kim was helping to care for a 93 year old patient with Alzheimer's who had been a private pilot and who also sky-dived on her 85th birthday. Her Hospice of Palm Beach County volunteer said that every time she took the patient outside in her wheelchair she would look up at the planes flying and would say that she wanted to sky-dive again. The volunteer went back to the team and asked if that could be done, the team Physician said no -- but, she could go for a plane ride. The Volunteer Manager called Kim because she knew Kim had been involved in aviation and asked if she could help with a plan. At the time of the call Kim was driving in her car and decided to immediately go straight to the Lantana Airport. She told the Airport Manager about their plan and asked if he could help. Before she could get everything out the manager said, "You have a plane and a pilot; let me know when you want to do this, and by the way there’s no charge." The patient got to fly in the Captain's seat accompanied by the team Chaplain and Nurse. She loved it! The plane ride brought back wonderful memories for her. Kim and the others took pictures and they had an 8x10 photograph made for the patient sitting in the plane. The volunteer hung it on the wall at the patient's nursing home. And what is Kim’s response to such a fantastic gift? "That's why I come to work every day!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
