Volunteer Finds Joy in Caring for Others

My name is Celia Owens and I am a volunteer at Coming Home Connection (CHC.) As a volunteer, I feel so rewarded because I know that the time I give makes the difference between a person being able to remain in their own home or being forced by circumstances to live in a facility.

 

I go once a week to help a woman who has MS. Every evening a volunteer comes to help her get into a nightgown, out of her wheel chair, and tucked into bed. She can manage all day without help and she has paid help in the morning to get her out of bed, showered and dressed.

 

We feel so excited that she can stay home. She has an extra room for her children to visit from out of state. She has friends. She can take a bus to doctor appointments. On top of that, she seems to have no self-pity. I feel like it makes me a better person, not because I do something helpful, but because I learn from her way of adapting to her condition and how satisfied she is with her own company.

 

The small group of people who do this do not normally meet each other but we know we are a team and we fill in for each other when needed. We are all committed to the care of our client. Volunteering is a joy to my soul.

 

Find a volunteer opportunity in your community.