Scrapbooking last week was very enlightening, and not in a happy way. One of our volunteers had a scheduling conflict and was unable to join us. A gentleman that the absent volunteer has been helping was disappointed that "his" volunteer wasn't there. I told him that I would be happy to help him, I would just split my time. No big deal for me, but a very big deal for this man who was looking forward to the social aspect of scrapbooking.
One of the pages that we try to do in every scrapbook is a favorites page. We punch out some kind of shape and write favorite things on each shape ... favorite food, favorite color, favorite vacation, ....
While talking, I asked the gentleman to tell me one thing that he would like to do, that he has never done. I was amazed at the answer he gave me. It was a simple thing that he had obviously put a lot of thought into preparing to do. There is an obstacle in his plan, that he doesn't know how to overcome. Part of his plan would require him to attend a weekly event. Seemed like such a minor thing in this detailed plan ... OH ... reality. He doesn't have a car, or friends with a car, or public transit, or a staff person available at the time of the weekly event.
I was very disheartened. I wanted to jump in and do something, offer to drive, offer to do this or that or something else. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all week. Where do I fit and how much can I do?
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Introductions
We started scrapbooking at a new home last night. This home is a Specialized Community Residence (SCR). It’s a beautiful, light, airy home, with a really big kitchen. There is a huge island in the middle of the kitchen and a lot of counter space. (I am terribly jealous of all the counter space, which is completely missing in my kitchen!)
When we arrived, we were greeted with the expected mixed reactions. We met everyone, introduced ourselves, and asked if anyone wanted to scrapbook. Three of the individuals were thrilled to have something new to do with new people, and others watched us closely … from a distance. We managed to complete a few scrapbook pages, played checkers, talked, laughed, took some pictures, and discussed plans for Easter.
Two hours passed quickly, and we were ready to leave. I was packing up supplies and noticed two of the men, who were not at all interested in scrapbooking, elbowing each other. One man was asking the other if maybe they should try this thing next week. I took the opportunity to assure them that I would bring “guy stuff” (you know … car / truck/ motorcycle magazines, Sports Illustrated … guy stuff) for them to use in their scrapbooks. They agreed that if one would try it, the other would as well.
It was another good evening.
When we arrived, we were greeted with the expected mixed reactions. We met everyone, introduced ourselves, and asked if anyone wanted to scrapbook. Three of the individuals were thrilled to have something new to do with new people, and others watched us closely … from a distance. We managed to complete a few scrapbook pages, played checkers, talked, laughed, took some pictures, and discussed plans for Easter.
Two hours passed quickly, and we were ready to leave. I was packing up supplies and noticed two of the men, who were not at all interested in scrapbooking, elbowing each other. One man was asking the other if maybe they should try this thing next week. I took the opportunity to assure them that I would bring “guy stuff” (you know … car / truck/ motorcycle magazines, Sports Illustrated … guy stuff) for them to use in their scrapbooks. They agreed that if one would try it, the other would as well.
It was another good evening.
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