We were not able to take a picture of Barbara while at the hospital. Instead, we have shown her in a prior picture taken.
Barbara Mundy spends one night every week with children at the Elizabeth Seaton Hospital.
HOW DID YOU COME TO BOOKPALS?
I found myself saying "if I won the lottery I would do something for reading" then realized I could start now by being a BookPAL. It has been a most wonderful experience in all ways, and in the children and the adults that I have met and become friends with.
WHEN DID YOU START READING AT ELIZABETH SEATON Hospital?
1/06
TELL US ABOUT THE PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO READ TO CHILDREN AT THE HOSPITAL.
A physical exam is required with doctor's signature, a TB test, certification of innoculations if born after 1956, and a 2 hour orientation with quiz!
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO GO THROUGH THIS RIGOUROUS PROCESS TO VOLUNTEER AT A HOSPITAL?
I don't know exactly, a friend said I would really enjoy being with the kids and that was true. I was somehow gently guided to this new awsome experience.
ARE YOU GLAD THAT YOU DID IT? Oh, yes.
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU DO WITH THE KIDS? DO YOU READ TO A GROUP OF KIDS, OR IS IT MORE ONE ON ONE?
Every night was different. Sometimes there were as many as 7 to 10 children enjoying music and playing together, other times it was one on one, much quieter. They loved bubbles and play dough. The attention span is too short for a whole story, but the Einstein DVD series was very successful and Sesame Street was always a favorite, to read and to watch...also the Wiggles!!!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS TO READ WITH THE KIDS?
Nursery rhymes, especially songs and disney books and sesame street, always reach them...sometimes Dr. Suess.
IS THERE A CHILD THAT STANDS OUT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE HIS/HER STORY?
I have a friend named Janaya. She calls me Bubbie with such sincerity that the nurses call me Bubbie too. Due to patient protection, I only know that she has a heart problem, but she has no heart problem with anyone who meets her! She is everyone's favorite, the star of her world, an indomitable spirit. As with all good friends, we have had our good times and some disagreements, but we always come out smiling, still friends at the end. I have watched her grow and get stronger and stand! and then begin walking. She is getting too big for me to hold in my arms so she can choose the DVD for us all to watch before bed, which is great, but sad for us both too. We have shared some amazing Wednesday nights when the play room was filled with laughing, dancing children climbing on the "human jungle gym" that all adults became, and quiet times when the two of us played with a Barbie doll house and drew pictures. We had a great Halloween together as part of the hospital parade that went all the way around the block, all beaming faces in original and fun costumes. Janaya was a butterfly and I was a flower. When we came back from the parade, we hung my flower costume next to her bed, where it still resides. I rejoice as she spends more time at home. I have a friend named Janaya.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BookPAL READER?
Since 1/06
WHAT ADVICE TO YOU HAVE FOR PERFORMERS THAT WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER READER IN A HOSPITAL THROUGH BOOKPALS?
Have no expectations. Things that I thought would thrill, could be met by tears, depending on the day they had. It can seem as if no one appreciates you, and then something happens and you realize that your time and love has made a difference. Accept and appreciate whatever happens and remember that it's about the kids. Open mind...open heart.
We were not able to take a picture of Barbara while at the hospital. Instead, we have shown her in a prior picture taken.
BookPALS
http://www.bookpals.net/content/article.php?story=20070530151514870