days 5,6,7: holding preemies at the NICU
day 5: gave a roll of tape to the post office to share with others who need it for their christmas pkgs.
day 6: gave help to the guy sitting next to me on the plane.
day 7: what i do for two hours every week - held preemie babies at the hospital's NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).
I started volunteering to hold babies at NICU last spring. I was getting ready to send my one and only kid off to college, and panicking about the empty nest. A friend in NC who sings to patients at a hospital suggested I volunteer at the hospital. To hold babies. What a great idea! Because I had also been wanting to volunteer for something that was apolitical (so much of what I do as an envr activist is political...). So - after getting all my shots, fingerprinted, FBI checked, etc (they don't want anyone stealing those babies!) I was set. It's a fantastic thing. I look forward to it every week. I hold those babies, so very tiny, coming into this world with so many medical issues already against them, having not yet even been outside and seen the beautiful world that awaits them...I could go on. Suffice to say, those babies needs lots of love. Lots. Yes, sometimes it's heartbreaking, to see what they're having to deal with through no fault of their own. Yes, it's hard to know some won't make it, and some are going home to less-than-ideal family situations. And yes, there has been more than one time I wanted to take one home with me. (Thus the fingerprinting!) But, really, it is a wonderful joyful give. I'd recommend it to anyone.
day 6: gave help to the guy sitting next to me on the plane.
day 7: what i do for two hours every week - held preemie babies at the hospital's NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).
I started volunteering to hold babies at NICU last spring. I was getting ready to send my one and only kid off to college, and panicking about the empty nest. A friend in NC who sings to patients at a hospital suggested I volunteer at the hospital. To hold babies. What a great idea! Because I had also been wanting to volunteer for something that was apolitical (so much of what I do as an envr activist is political...). So - after getting all my shots, fingerprinted, FBI checked, etc (they don't want anyone stealing those babies!) I was set. It's a fantastic thing. I look forward to it every week. I hold those babies, so very tiny, coming into this world with so many medical issues already against them, having not yet even been outside and seen the beautiful world that awaits them...I could go on. Suffice to say, those babies needs lots of love. Lots. Yes, sometimes it's heartbreaking, to see what they're having to deal with through no fault of their own. Yes, it's hard to know some won't make it, and some are going home to less-than-ideal family situations. And yes, there has been more than one time I wanted to take one home with me. (Thus the fingerprinting!) But, really, it is a wonderful joyful give. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Comment
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Comment by Peggy Sue on August 31, 2010 at 7:47am -
I love what you say about voluntering in NICU. My daughter is a nurse in the NICU at are local Christian hospital. I also volunteer but in PICU and pediatrics. I love it. The little babies and young children who need nothing more than a hug, rocking or if it's a young child playing with. It helps the nursing staff and gives me much more than any gift could. The feeling I am being useful, helpful. I feel everyone should consider volunteering. It doesn't have to be a hospital. There are so many in need that the gift of our time is really appreciated.
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Comment by Dawn wwt on December 19, 2009 at 7:27am -
what a rewarding way to give! there's nothing quite like the smell and feel of a little baby...Hugs, Dawn
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Comment by Harriet on December 19, 2009 at 5:32am -
what a wonderful give, i would love to do this, i live in a small rural town without a hospital here with a NICU, but maybe when the time is right, when all the kids are out of the house, i can drive to a hospital to do this. bless you for being there.
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Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on December 19, 2009 at 5:17am -
I am so happy that you get to do this. It means so much to the babies and to you too. The families are appreciative that you bring love and comfort to their bundles of joy! Bless you for being an Angel! Enjoy your snuggling and send a hug from me too!!
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