Editor, The Times:
I have volunteered with the hospital auxiliary thrift store for six or seven years, enjoying the camaraderie with the other volunteers, thrilled with finding something a customer really wants, and excited to open bags of donations to see what treasures had been given to us.
The hospital, to me, was secondary, just something that a good community needed, like schools and parks and a grocery store.
While I was happy to raise money for it, the hospital wasn’t high on my radar.
The hospital became much more real to me on Sunday, Aug. 27.
While camping, I dislocated my shoulder. After a long drive on a dirt road and a rush up the highway to Clearwater, I staggered to the door of emergency, a whimpering mess dressed in camping sleepwear, hair uncombed.
I’d have scared young children. The tall, strong nurse on duty didn’t blink an eye when we rang the bell. She was so matter of fact and calm, that I knew I was in good hands.
She was the first of many staff members who, while treating me like a routine part of their day, made me feel like I was going to get nothing but the best care.
Whether I was in the emergency bed, the x-ray room or the treatment room, they were attentive to my needs, explained every needle and request they made of me, told me what was happening at every step of the treatment, made sure my husband was informed and acted in a reassuring manner.
Everyone from the doctor to the x-ray tech to the nursing staff put up with my whining and complaining and never once rolled their eyes.
I am so grateful they were there and that my rush to treatment for a most painful injury didn’t involve a trip to Kamloops.
Now, when you come into the thrift store and I encourage you to buy a 50/50 ticket, or suggest one more treasure for your shopping pleasure, or deny your request for a lower price, you will know that I am doing it because that hospital deserves our support.
I hope the staff asks the auxiliary for every bit of equipment they need. They use it wisely and they use it well.
I will happily put in my volunteer time to help fill that list.
Mary Neathway
Vavenby, B.C.
