I've started volunteering at my centre

[Adam_W]

Because I have absolutely nothing to do during the day (when I'm not dialyzing), I've started going into my centre to talk to patients and help the staff. Because it's a home training unit, it's a more laid back atmosphere which I really enjoy. I've been doing this off and on for the last six months or so, but I'm now an official volunteer in Davita's "village greeter" program. Primarily what I do is greet new patients, give advise about my experiences with home dialysis to staff and patients, and other similar things. If a patient want's to talk about something about their experience, but they want to only talk with another patient, I'm there to talk to them. I'm finding that this is a perfect opportunity for home dialysis advocacy because I work with the in-centre patients as well as the home patients. There are things about Davita that I don't like, but I think this volunteer program is an awesome idea, despite it's corny name. I guess I'm sipping a little of that "Duh-vita kool-aid", but oh well. I want to be able to actually work in a dialysis centre, and maybe this volunteering will help me reach that goal.

Adam

[willowtreewren]

Hello, Adam,
This sounds like a really good program. Your post gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. 

Congratulations, Adam. You are doing something great.

Aleta

[rocker]

That is wonderful.  It can be pretty awful to just sit around all day.  You are helping others, and yourself at the same time!  Made of win.

[paris]

Good for you Adam!  You will be a great help to new patients.  Volunteering is always a good thing. 

[kellyt]

That's very cool!   Good for you!

[G-Ma]

Good for you Adam...I'm sure all your patients appreciate you.   

[RightSide]

Gee, I wish my center had such a "village greeter" program, but they don't.  I know I would have liked to have talked with some more experienced patients during my first few months there.

Maybe I'll suggest that they start one.

[rose1999]

Well done Adam, I'm sure you will be helping a lot of people feel less apprehensive about dialysis.  This is the sort of thing that would be so useful in all centres.  Good luck and thank you for giving your time.

[Rerun]

That is great Adam.  People listen better to someone who has been through it. 

                               

[Dan.Larrabee]

Way to go!!

I want everyone know that Adam greeted me, in a way, and gave me my first exposure to dialysis a long time ago and long before I every went to the center or started home dialysis. He made me realize that I wanted home dialysis and made it possible. I new what I wanted it and even new a little on how to use it because of Adam. This gave my doc the warm and fuzzy that I could do this at home. I am sure a few IHDers did not know that Adam is the one on You Tube with his NxStage machine. Go there and he will “Village greet” you.

Way to go Adam, a great job for you.

[RichardMEL]

That's awesome!!! I have already put the feelers out with the local dialysis co-ordinator here about doing something similar, but she's not responded... They don't really seem to do it here as much although they DO run seminiars for new/potential patients each year and I've indicated that if I am available I would be more than happy to be involved as a current patient. I already know that if/when I get a transplant I would love to "give back" somehow by also being involved in those seminars, and have indicated as such to the co-ordinator.

At my unit they sometimes put new patients next to me if they think they could benefit from me. I am always happy to chat to "newbies" (specially if they're younger) and their families who come in. I hope I present a friendly face but also proof that dialysis is not the end and you can live with it and do OK along the lines.. and like Adam to provide some wisdom from my experience, but also reassurance that they will be OK. So far nobody's run screaming!!

I really hope I can get involved in seminars and the like because if I can pass on positive information and encouragement to those about to undergo dialysis I think it would be something very positive for *me* to do and help give something back.

So well done Adam!! It's a good feeling, isn't it?