(Originally posted 7/7/2014)
#1 The world is not designed for people with special needs (not even hospitals), be kind and helpful to people.
#2 Going to the restroom is not an easy venture; ever. Be patient at least, prepared to help in the most normal but least discussed parts of life.
#3 Those who do help have learned to see the world thru others’ eyes, learn from them.
#4 Pain doesn’t sleep on anyone’s schedule. Be quick to listen to those in pain.
#5 Helpful appliances like crutches and boots are great assisting devices. But there are few things so humbling as being constantly dependent on them. Remember, people with special needs would often like to have it just be them and their bodies too, the chair, braces, appliances are not part of the people, they help the people.
#6 Every person experiences difficulties differently. Some of my points may be opposite of what others would say.
#7 Many hospital workers deal with people at their worst and get very little respect for it. Do bless ER workers with notes of “thanks” and small gifts. 3AM still has someone registering new patients who are violently ill, in horrible pain, bleeding or dying.
#8 Gratitude is a daily choice, practiced in good times, tested in hard times, taught well by those who have lost much.
#9 Many, many people don’t get to have medical treatment like some of us enjoy. Let’s give, share and invest to change that.
#10 It is a painful thing to be uncertain of how long it will take, or if you will get better. Be gentle with those who are in chronic pain or disease. The pain of chronic trouble goes far beyond physical.