preview

Essay

Decent Essays

As a member of the SSC Charity Committee I would benefit from gaining invaluable experience working with the Ronald McDonald House. Being a university student does not place myself in best position to donate money, however I am able to contribute my time. Previous experience in medical centers has provided insight to how a welcoming environment can alleviate the strain of dealing with personal health issues or those in family members. I can recall several instances in which children were flooded with fear knowing they would be seeing a doctor. Experiences in the past such as the pain of needles, the cold feel of a stethoscope, or the roughness of a tongue depressor all contribute to the negative attitudes of children towards medical …show more content…

Experience in clinics, hospitals, and especially hospice has taught me that without knowing the implications that contribute to the way someone might act or feel, it is common to naively underestimate the true impact of a situation. One example that comes to mind occurred when I was a volunteer in the emergency department of a hospital. A man complaining of intense pain had been admitted to the ER with a broken arm. Soon after that, a teenage girl in tears was also admitted to the ER with a possible fractured ankle. After assessment, it was determined that her ankle was simply sprained and would heal in a matter of weeks. However, this young lady seemed to be much more distressed than the other patient. When the other patient overheard that her condition was not severe, he asked her “Why are you acting like it’s the end of your life? You should have seen what happened to me”. However, the young lady was not suffering because of her ankle; she was upset that she would be missing the remainder of her prom. Although the young lady was not physically hurt as bad at the other patient, she was much more distraught because that night meant a great deal to her. This put things into perspective for myself as I learned that the surface of a situation does not always tell the whole story. Applying this to other aspects of my life, especially when aiding individuals suffering from dementia, has changed how I perceive others. This allowed

Get Access