Honoring the Ultimate Volunteer

I have always believed that all family caregivers are volunteers (by definition) and all volunteers are caregivers (by definition and deeds). Both groups share the qualities of loving, caring, giving their all and putting themselves out for others on a regular basis.

One thing that many people do not know is that so many volunteers are also presently or have been family caregivers. No matter if they are running a support group, feeding our loved ones, or just making us realize that we are not alone – each and every volunteer is a blessing to each and every family caregiver.

In fact, volunteers and caregivers have one other thing in common. Like in the military when the drill sergeant asks for volunteers – and everyone but one person steps back…that person is usually a volunteer or a family caregiver.

The secret that those who step backward instead of forward will never understand is that those who serve are actually the winners. The caregivers and volunteers who step up are the true manifestation of the phrase “Giving is getting.” So, the jokes on them.

In my conversations with many thousands of family caregivers over the years, many things have become crystal clear. One of the most important is that we family caregivers must not remain the silent chaperone sitting in the corner of the examining room as our loved one is attended to by his or her doctor. We have a voice that needs to be heard and respected by the members of our loved ones care team. In fact, we must learn to become leading members of the team. Just as the other members have jobs to do, so do we. Ours is to share the human face of our loved one; many times these care professionals are not seeing our loved one as we know them to be. We need to help remind them of who our loved ones are, were and have been.

And, as well as seeking help for our loved ones from the medical community, we caregivers must also learn to seek out help within our community. There are many people who are reaching out to help us as we care for our loved ones and they do it out of sheer love and devotion to their fellow community members. Front and center in that group are volunteers.

A Volunteers Poem

Giving is getting or so they say

I give a bit of my heart, my soul and my all

And am rewarded in ways both great and small

That’s good to know and better to hear

But the truth is more silent, so please do step near

The reason I give is simple and clear

The reason I give is not to be saluted or even adored

That would something to make me quite bored

The reason I give -- the reason I Care

The reason you’ll find me ready, able and near

                           Is that above all else…I am a proud volunteer.

And in fact, what better time is there to honor volunteers than now? just a few days before Mother’s Day when we all honor the ultimate volunteer.

Please share your stories in the comments below.