I began volunteering at Nationwide Children’s in October of 2017, and it has truly been an incredible experience. I am assigned to a floor in which  I go around and hang out with the kids who could use some extra attention. My floor includes a wide range of illnesses, from mental illness such as eating disorders and depression to babies with respiratory infections. My floor also includes the rehabilitation unit. What I do each time I go in truly varies based on the needs of the day. Sometimes, I spend the whole time playing with and comforting infants whose family members were not able to make it in that day. Other days, I hang out with toddlers or young children to give their parents a little bit of a break to go eat something or make some phone calls. The most important part of my position is making sure that every patient has some attention and is able to have a fun time despite the situation they are currently in. One of the experiences that has touched me the most was when I hung out with a young boy in the rehab unit who wasn’t vocal. Although there was an obvious barrier for communication, we were able to communicate in other ways such as hand motions and facial expressions. I felt as though I was able to make a real connection with him even though it was not through the traditional route of talking. Another experience that has stuck with me was also in the rehab unit, where I spent most of my shift walking around the floor with a little boy in a wheel chair. He was full of energy and so happy to be out and about. My experience at Nationwide Children’s has been an incredible one, and I look forward to the connections that I will continue to make with the patients and the nurses.

This year, I participated in BuckeyeThon for the first time.  I have never felt so humbled to be a part of something in my entire life.  Spending 12 hours on your feet, dancing and raising money for kids with cancer will really put things into perspective.  While I am here, finding my way through college and living my life, there are thousands of children in hospitals fighting for their lives.  It is the LEAST I can do to dance for 12 hours in support of them.  Throughout the day, I learned the “morale dance,” which is the dance that all of the team leaders show at the beginning.  At the end of the marathon, another person from my team and I, along with two people from every other team, performed the dance on stage in front of hundreds of people. This was a thrilling moment, and I was proud to represent my team and dance in support of children who can’t.  I was able to personally raise over $1000 for children with cancer thanks to the help of my family and friends.  I will never forget the last few minutes of the marathon when the total amount of money raised was revealed and everyone hugged and cheered and cried tears of joy.  I have never been more proud to be a Buckeye than in that moment. As someone who possibly wants to become a pediatric oncologist, this event inspired me to  continue to work hard and achieve my goals FOR THE KIDS.

My friends and I in our hand made tutus, after 11 hours on our feet.

The final reveal!

I have been volunteering at The Inn at Olentangy Trail, a nursing home, in the dementia unit since the fall of 2016.  On Sunday mornings, I and several others go to the nursing home and mingle with the residents.  We do anything from doing puzzles, painting nails, and playing with a beach ball to just sitting and talking.  Seeing the residents faces light up when we come in is a feeling that will never get old. Although many of the residents may not remember us, it is still just as rewarding to watch them smile as they complete a puzzle or celebrate as they successfully hit the beach ball back to us. Before we leave, we always help serve lunch and clean up afterwards. I have met some incredible people through volunteering here, and I hope to continue going for as long as I am able to.

I started volunteering at Riverside Hospital in 2016.  In such a short time, this experience has shaped me in a way that I did not know was possible.  I have been working as a greeter at the main entrance of the hospital, where I engage with the families of patients and answer any questions they may have. I walk patients and their families where they need to be, while providing a friendly and welcoming environment.  Occasionally, I deliver flowers to patients rooms, which always makes me smile.  This experience has not only helped change my perspective on everyday life, but also introduced me to some incredible people.  I volunteer every Wednesday morning with two amazing elderly, but not so elderly in spirit, men.  I have become close with both of these men, and they have both offered me some great advice, as well as words of encouragement when I need them.  Listening to them talk about life gives me great hope for the future, and watching their kindness in action gives me great hope for humanity.  Interacting with my fellow volunteers and with patients and their families has made me realize how important it is to be present in the moment and to appreciate the little things in life.  Many of the patients that I work with have had life altering circumstances occur at Riverside, whether it be a medical emergency or the loss of a loved one, in the blink of an eye. Seeing this has helped me appreciate how fortunate I am, and has helped me be thankful for everyone in my life and every single day that I am living.