This is William Attmore, known to my generation as Pop Attmore, one of the 70's Mouseketeers. He is recovering from being struck by a car, and from being in a diabetic coma. He is a miracle. And as he says, "What do you get the man who has everything for his birthday? Humility."
Being completely helpless and having a group of strangers bring you back to yourself is frightening. And the helplessness lingers long enough for you to have memories of more strangers helping you with bed pans, sponge baths, and gowns that don't close. There's no time to process the indignities, only submit. As a non-staff clothed person in the room, you can help them step out of the fishbowl for awhile. Bring a blanket from home. Find their favorite channel. Or just talk about something normal. My mom was having back pains, and my cousin, who works with sick kids, went around the hospital until somebody got her a wedge pillow. This stabilized mom's back, and worked for her through six months of stays in uncomfortable beds. Now at home, she still has that pillow and it comes in handy. It was something that gave her strength in times where she was most weak. Find ways to bring your patient dignity and help them feel normal.
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October 2017
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