Page 27 - Annual Report 2016-17

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF VOLUNTEERING

One of the number one motivations Volunteers choose to
give their time is to “give back”. In some way, for some
special reason people have developed a connection with a
cause or an organization and feel duty-bound to give back.
They experience a feeling of indebtedness.

For Toronto Rehab Volunteer Extraordinaire, Tim Giblin, it
was a brain aneurysm that had him spend months in
Toronto Rehab Institute (TRI). Tim worked tirelessly with
the various therapy staff members to move through his
recovery. Upon discharged, Tim was left with an enormous
amount of gratitude toward TRI. He was compelled to give
back in an effort to repay us for our support in his
astounding recovery. “Nothing short of a miracle,” Tim said.
“Toronto Rehab gave me my life back.”

Tim has volunteered with TRI for over 18 years giving more
than 3,700 hours of his time to our Spiritual Care, Patient
Social Night, Research iDapt Tours and Foundation
programs. When asked about whether or not Tim felt his
“tab” with Toronto Rehab was paid off at this point, he said
“I owe my life to TRI and I will be forever indebted.”

This motivation to give back comes with an amazingly
wonderful ripple effect.

The first ripple in the ripple effect was felt very quickly after
beginning his “pay back.” Tim realized that he was being
paid as well. He was coming in to offer his support to other
patients who had suffered an acquired brain injury
providing them with hope that they too could recover. Their
gratitude toward him provided him with a feeling he wasn’t
expecting. To this day, he leaves each and every shift
feeling more fulfilled and happier than when he arrived. A
feeling he wouldn’t trade for anything.

The second ripple in the ripple effect that Tim was shocked
to learn, was that through his compulsion and desire to give
back he has inspired others to do the same. During an
interview with a prospective volunteer, when asked about
why she wanted to volunteer with TRI, her response was
that she had gone on an iDAPT tour with her school and
the volunteer leading the tour was a gentleman named Tim.
She explained that Tim’s enthusiasm for the organization
and the positive energy she felt from him inspired her to
become a TRI volunteer; she wanted to be a part of our
volunteer team!

So, we can see from the casting of one stone the many
ripples that become of the still water. From one act of
gratitude the pay back comes as support of hope, the
feeling of fulfillment and the inspiration for additional stones
to be cast.

“Toronto Rehab gave me my life back.”

-Tim Giblin, Volunteer

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