School: Ursinus

Volunteering at Seasons Hospice Care has been one of the most life changing experiences for me. At the beginning of this program, I was told it would be hard at times because the patients are at the end of their life and need some comfort, especially if death is not familiar. I have had experience … Continue reading “My Time at Seasons”

My most meaningful relationship was found with a rather pleasant old woman who soon came into being a dear friend of mine, as she really taught me what it meant to give. I say this because she offered me, one who was a complete stranger, the gift of her life; the gift of her history … Continue reading “Thanks”

Over the past semester I have had the opportunity to be a Season’s Hospice volunteer. My experience has been eye opening, as well as life changing. Going into this program I knew it was going to be different than anything else I have every experienced, but I was not expecting that so many emotions would … Continue reading “How Hospice Has Changed My Opinion On Death”

Every time I tell people I volunteer at a hospice, I get the same reaction. People are always asking me, “Isn’t that sad?” or “How can you do that?” I can never quite explain to people why my volunteering doesn’t make me depressed or cause me to fear my own mortality. I think people are … Continue reading “Hospice Care and Compassion- Why It Matters”

The word “death” through my first 20 years of life has held continually evolving meanings. Throughout childhood, the concept of death was terrifying for me. My overall good-natured, innocent self, coupled with strict obedience to my parents and our religion had me believing myself to be on a straight-track to heaven; a salvation in the … Continue reading “As comfort is provided with loved ones near, We learn to love all that we hear.”

When I first began my hospice volunteering experience I did not expect myself to be vulnerable and learn how death is also part of the light in our lives. My whole life death to me seemed like something horrible and painful. Yet, through my volunteering with my patient and the constant discussions with Reverend R. … Continue reading “Let the light touch what is dark through faith and compassion”

There are a lot of things that people do that are controversial. Go to wars, debate about the choice a woman should have about her body, sending a family member to hospice. I know that sometimes there (at hospice) it would be really hard to maintain a safe environment that has the appropriate care that … Continue reading “Hospice Strengths and Weaknesses”

Death is not an easy topic to approach, nor to understand. As humans, there is so much uncertainty regarding what happens to us when we leave this life, which is perhaps why it makes us so uncomfortable. We have no answers, which is why it is important to come to terms with the idea of … Continue reading “Understanding Death”

In the future I have a goal. I wish to one day be able to study the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, and at one point develop some form of treatment. As such, I think it is important that one studies not only the molecular aspects of disease, but also puts into perspective those that are … Continue reading “Ten Cents Down, Five Cents A Quarter Mile”

When asked why individuals want to become physicians, they often reply about the amazing experience that the medical career path provides, the lifelong relationships with patients, and their quest to establish their own heroic stories. Death is not often the motivation for wanting to become a doctor. Through Hospice, the experience of death, its meaning, … Continue reading “Death is More”