Page 10 - Annual Report 2016-17
P. 10
Margaret, Emily
“My name is Olivia and I volunteer in the wig salon on OLIVIA WOODS
Friday afternoons. I was a hairstylist for over 10 years, so I ADULT
think it is quite tting that I ended up in the wig salon. I
really love it in there. I decided to go back to school for What is your most memorable moment from
nursing a few years ago, and am currently a full time volunteering with us?
student. I remember a lady who had another disease which was
Trained as a Healing Beyond the Body volunteer, I was causing her to lose her hair. When she came in she tried
taught the importance of providing emotional support for on some wigs and found one she really liked. I spent
Princess Margaret patients. When I am in the Wig Salon, I some time chatting with her after, and when she left,
am usually chatting with patients and helping them try on she thanked us (Sherry and I) for spending the time with
hats.” her.
What is the biggest lesson you learned through
volunteering?
We have a tendency to want to x people’s problems
for them. I have realized that most of the time people
are not really looking for someone to say something
that will x their situation. What is most meaningful is
just being with people in the moment, in laughter,
silence or tears; whatever that moment may be. You
could tell she was very grateful. A few weeks later, the
wig salon received a Thank You card from that lady. I
nd it really remarkable how a small act of kindness can
make a big difference for someone.
What advice would you give a new volunteer or
someone who is thinking of volunteering?
Go for it! It is good to get out of your comfort zone. It is
kind of scary at rst, but mainly because it’s a new
situation. I think it is a great thing to do, especially if you
are a student in the healthcare profession. It allows you
to fully focus on practicing empathy and compassion
with patients. There is a lot of opportunity for self-
growth in volunteering.
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