"Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise." ~Andy Stanley

October 4, 2013

Finding out that stroke patients can volunteer

As I've mentioned on occasion, my brother-in-law, who had a stroke while skiing when he was only 50, lives with us part of the year and with his other brother for part of the year. He has paralysis on the left side of his body and brain damage.
He likes to spend his days reading the entire Denver Post and the entire New York Times on his Kindle and then chatting on the phone with friends or reading a book. Once in a while, he exercises by walking up and down our drive way. He goes to church with us on Sundays and I take him grocery shopping on Wednesdays. He has to be in bed by 7:30, so night time outings,evening church services and family game nights or movie nights, don't work for him. (if he doesn't get enough sleep, he can have a seizure) 
Recently, a man who is a friend of my hubby's, gave him some advice. (his elderly father is a stroke patient) He said that my hubby needed to get his brother out volunteering and enriching in his life!
We'd been looking into a stroke support group, but volunteering never entered our minds. We had no idea that stroke patients could volunteer. While they were talking, this man's father was down at Metropolitan Ministries feeding the homeless! How awesome is that?! He decided a long time ago that he wasn't going to just sit around and he's been out volunteering for years after his stroke even though he also has paralysis. He said that the aquarium takes stroke patients as volunteers. Who knew?! So, yesterday the kids enjoyed the aquarium, while Uncle Phil had an interview! 
He got the 'job!' He is going to be a greeter passing out maps, telling people show times and scanning their membership cards at the front desk. Yay! He was sooo excited about it that he broke down crying in the lobby. 
~Last night he told Hubby that he will now have more to talk about at dinner than anyone. ; )

Thankful,
~Becky

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