Make a Difference - Visit someone who is Shut-In

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By Nurse Diane

My husband was bedridden for nearly 3 years.  He became bedridden by the age of 49.  He wasn't the typical type of shut-in that one thinks about, but the only outside communication he had was from me, or by telephone, since he was not very computer savvy.   It was a very sad and lonely existence for him, for me as well, since I couldn't leave him for very long at a time.  He would have loved visits from friends or family, but those were few and far between.  I tried to explain to him that people had their own lives, and was busy and that explanation didn’t help his loneliness.

Well today is a day set aside to visit those who are shut-in.  Today is National Shut-In Visitation Day.  Shut-ins are not just the elderly; they can be any age, for any reason.  Those who are home recovering from an accident or surgery, those with small children and no transportation, and the elderly and cripple.  They can be found in hospitals, nursing homes, senior care facilities, other family member's homes, and even your own neighborhood.

It is incredibly hard for someone who was once independent and free to travel as they desired, to give up that freedom, and be stuck at home and dependent on the help of others.  So today, take some time out and spread a little joy and happiness to someone you know who is shut in.  If you don't know of anyone, check with your church or local hospital, nursing home, or adult living facility, and ask about their visiting hours, and who would benefit from a visit.  It will be only a few minutes of your time and will really brighten a home bound person's whole day!

Young Reader's Day

 "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." ~ Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

By Diane Forrest

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As I was preparing for this article - this joke came to mind...

The new school librarian decided that instead of checking out children's books by writing the names of borrowers on the book cards herself, she would have the youngsters sign their own names. She would then tell them they were signing a 'Contract' for returning the books on time.

Her first customer was a third grader who looked surprised to see a new librarian. He brought three books to the desk and shoved them across to the librarian, giving her his name as he did so.

The librarian pushed the books back and told him to sign them out. The boy laboriously printed his name on each book card and then handed them to her with a look of utter disgust.

Before the librarian could even start her speech, he said scornfully, "The other librarian we had knew how to write."

Working with young children first learning to read can be a very rewarding time.  When my son was born, my aunt, who is a school teacher, told me right off to read to him every day.  So I started reading to him when he was just a few days old.  I didn't have a big supply of children's books at the time, so I just read the same book over and over again, until I was able to get more.  I would make weekly trips to the store and buy a few baby books at a time.  These were mostly small books with plastic pages with colorful pictures on it.  The selections were very limited, so I ended up writing my own stories and coloring pictures for him to look at.  As he got older, I would take him to the library every week.  I had a large tote bag that we would fill with dozens of books at a time, and come home and read them all over and over again.  By the time he started preschool he had already been introduced to thousands of books and this made his transition to school much easier for him. He continued through school reading and learning, and still to this day he will read books to increase his knowledge.

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Today is Young Reader's Day. It is so important to encourage reading while children are still young.  When I was in school, each day after lunch my teacher would read a chapter of a book to us.  I still remember those stories today, and how she made those books come alive.  Now when there is a gift giving occasion for the children I know, I always send books so they can enjoy them over and over again, and expand their knowledge.   If you have any kids in your life, consider getting them a book for Christmas or just because.  If you don't have any young readers, you might want to volunteer at a local school, library or even church and read a story to them during story time.  Not only will you be rewarded by the smiles and excitement in their faces, but you will get the satisfaction of knowing that for brief time, you made a difference in someone else's life.

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Make a Difference to a Child Month

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By Diane Forrest

When I was growing up, it was the thought of my grandparents that children should be seen and not heard, well until they were able to provide intelligent conversation.  I don't recall spending much time around adults during my youth, except for my teachers in school and church.  When my son was born, the views had completely changed.  He spent more time around adults, and was treated like his opinion mattered.  He was never around any "baby talk" and was communicated the same way as everyone else around him.  I believe this interaction allowed my son to learn and grow more than I had at his age.  He will be the first to tell you that he is smarter than his mother.  But it wasn't so much the type of interaction he was around, but the fact that the adults took the time to spend time with him.  He was surrounded by positive role models who help to teach him and mold him into the person he has become.

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My cousin has a nephew who is in college.  He spends his summers working at a camp for disabled kids in California. You can tell by his excitement when he talks about his work that he really enjoys what he is doing.  While most young men his age shy away from handicapped people, he makes an effort to look past their disabilities and reach the person instead.  The care and compassion he shows really influences these kids and makes a huge difference in their lives.

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Another friend has a granddaughter who recently spent some time as a friend's ranch.  The owner spent so much time with her teaching her about horses, caring for them, and showing her how to ride, that she now wants a horse of her own.  While I am sure she fell in love with the horses, and had a great time with them, the fact that a grown up took the time to spend with her and teach her greatly influenced her views.

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Another friend took his grandson to an amusement park recently.  He spent the afternoon with him, riding the carousel horses and watching him play other games.   He doesn't spend much time with this child, because he lives across the country.  However spending a few hours with him at an amusement park created a lifetime of memories for the child.

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July is Make a Difference to a Child Month.  It doesn't matter how you spend your time with a child.  You may have a special talent to share, or even just reading a book, or sharing a walk, the fact that you make the time will make the child feel ten feet tall, and will not only boost their confidence, but will give you a warm happy feeling inside as well.  This month, make a special effort to enjoy some time with the children in your life, and make some lasting memories for the both of you.