Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-12-09, Page 8i • Page 8 The Huron Expositor • December 9, 2009 News Memory tree a place to heal grief during Christmas season Susan Hundvrtmark, 41111111111.11111. Spending a quiet moment of reflec- tion to remember the loved ones she's lost by writing in a memory book and hanging some ornaments on the memory tree at the Seaforth Com- munity Hospital over the Christmas season, Betty McLean was glad a box of Kleenexwas sitting nearby. But, as difficult as it was to experi- ence the pain of grief, she says it was also therapeutic. "This time of year brings good memories and sad ones and writing them down brings some relief," she says. McLean, who lost her 98 -year-old mom in May, her husband Don six Decembers ago and her dad back in 1954, placed ornaments on the mem- ory tree -.a new addition to the hos- pital thanks to Huron Hospice - for all three. Out of all the memories she has of her loved ones, McLean says she re- membered how her father came over every night for a week before leaving on a trip to Florida to rock his then six -month-old granddaughter. "He seemed to know he wasn't coming back," says McLean, of her father's death during that trip. As • well, it brought to mind how her mother helped her throukh the death Partnerships for Health A Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Initiative We're Making Diabetes Care Better Join Us! 'There's simply too much at stake, and too much work to do, for a sin- gle family physician to be able to cover all the bases. We need to work with a team approach and Partnerships for Health helps us do that." — Dr. David Graham, East Elgin Family Health Team Partnerships for Health is an innovative project that provides primary care practices with the latest research on diabetes and diabetes management, and helps them develop an effective inter -disciplinary team approach to diabetes care. Already, Partnerships for Health practices are seeing significant improvements in clinical outcomes. "I have seen numbers improve and heard patients say how much they appreciate the extra time, teaching and attention to detail. I'm hopeful these benefits can be sustained and expanded." — Dr. Paul McArthur, Brockton Family Health Team For a limited time Partnerships for Health is recruiting primary care practices to join the project. To find out more about how your primary care practice can get involved, go to www.partnershipsforhealth.ca or call or write Heather Goddard, Project Assistant 519-640-2594 or 1 866-294-5446, heather.goddard@Ihins.on.ca. Support for this work has been provided by the Government of Ontario through the Strengthening our Partnerships initiative. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official policies of the Government of Ontario. Ontario Betty McLean places an angel on the Huron Hospice Memory tree. of her husband. "Don had a lot of Christmases in hospital. He was sick for years. And, when he died after 52 years of mar- riage, my mom was my rock," she says. "I have three angels up there," she says, pointing to the tree. The memory tree is being offered for the first time at Seaforth hospi- tal by Huron Hospice as a way for the bereaved to cope with the festive season. "It gives you the opportunity to take the time to think about your memories and honour that person you've lost," says Shirley Dinsmore, of Huron Hospice. "Sometimes we avoid thinking about our grief and try to avoid our feelings. It hurts and it takes cour- age and energy to go there but the more you can express, the less you carry it with you. And, what's more healing than tears - it's OK to have these emotions," she says. Dinsmore adds that it doesn't mat- ter how long ago the death occurred, it's still healing to take a quiet mo- ment to remember. "This helps us to know the loved one isn't forgotten. This is a special time of year and it makes our loved ones part of the festivities," she says. The tree was donated by Fern Chesney in memory of her husband Perk who died in 2002. Anyone who visits can use the ornaments pro- vided, which include angels, golden balls and snowmen, or bring their own ornaments. Dinsmore says one women placed a teapot ornament on the tree in honour of a friend she used to spend time with over tea before she died. Grace Dolmage, administrative assistant at SCH, says the hospital staff also appreciate the chance to remember family members and pa- tients who have died. "The staff here are also members of the community so we're all one large family," she says, adding that close- ness is a benefit of a small town hos- pital. "Every time we talk to the staff about the tree, they get tears in their eyes too for the patients they provide support for," adds Dinsmore. • • • slat •-...,wo►ft0011 u,rAi+.P,: - ...,.�..__..r,.—...�.. • r� •� t . v -i •. L H' 100100100400 HURON PERTH HEALTI-!CARE ALLIANCE Clinton Public Hospital .Sr. Marys Memorial Hospital Seatorth Community Hospital Stratford General Hospital • • The Holiday Season is a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the joy this season has to give. At •` Clinton Public Hospital, St Marys Memorial Hospital,'. Seaforth Community Hospital and Stratford General Hospital, we believe in the importance of family, the pur- suit of good health and working together to provide the best we can for our communities. The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, Alliance Board and Local Advisory Committees, Physicians, Staff, •1. Volunteers, Auxiliaries and the Foundations wish you a ' happy and healthy Holiday Season. At this time of year, Emergency Departments can be busy. As always, patients will be seen in order of urgency. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED DURING THIS BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON. VISITORS: If you have a fever, cough or diarrhea — please consider the patient—and do not visit. "Thank you for caring for us, as we care for you" WE WISH YOU WELL! HURON PERTH HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE • A — - • 1 17 wN'nRAr.71r A II••w,•- S • ' l\ •