Emotional Development
Students Journey to New Understanding
Students traverse emotional waters throughout the duration of the course, learning how to cope and deal with difficult things such as death and loss. Many students express fears and anxieties at the beginning of the course, but by the end of the year have an improved sense of confidence and self-esteem in their ability to care for others, physically and emotionally. The experiences they have are life changing, and won’t be forgotten any time soon.
Some students will go on to practice what they’ve learned in their pursuit of careers in the world of medicine, and some will continue to volunteer at hospice homes, but all will enact what they’ve learned dealing with the ups and downs in their daily lives. Students change in unforeseen ways, and many form deep emotional bonds with residents that they never anticipated. Students face the possibility of messing up, the finality of death, but are ultimately inspired by what they’ve seen and learned and take those lessons a step further by emboldening others to follow in their footsteps.
Hospice Menu
Comfort Care Homes (External Links)
In Their Own Words
Yesterday I didn’t have a shift but I drove out just to say hi to her and see how her week was going.
Joyce, Kai & Athena
Athena Baronos and Kai DeJesus visiting with a resident at the Advent House, Joyce. Photos by Amelia Hamilton
Wanda & Coco
Coco Cai, one the Hospice students, had a strong connection with one of the residents she worked with, Wanda. Here is a letter Coco had written about her time with Wanda.
Hi Cyndi,
When I saw the preview of your email yesterday morning, I was already afraid. I opened the email and could not believe it has already happened. It’s too soon. Even though my teacher, Sybil Prince, has prepared us well on how to deal with a resident’s pass-away, it was still hard, it still is. Wanda was the first and only resident that I’ve really connected with since I started volunteering at Benincasa. All I could think about all day was Wanda’s smile and the way she waved to me when she saw me coming in for my shift. I remember last Wednesday, she said to her sister and sister-in-law after seeing me first stepped in “this is Coco!” I was more than surprised seeing her remembering my name and introducing me to her family. Later on during that shift, she kept offering me pie and cookies, like what she always did. Another volunteer made signs that say “Wanda’s Bakery” and “Sold Out” etc. When Wanda saw these signs, she laughed “the business is going to be closed soon”. We told her, we will be sad then, because we love her. She responded “I love you, you , and you! (pointing fingers at us) I love all of you. You are all good people.” And then she joked about how she should pass the business onto me so there will be no taxes. How smart! This was just one of the many cute stories with our angel, Wanda. I loved her sincerely, and I still do. I am SO glad and feel more than privileged to get to know such a beautiful and amazing lady like her. Her words and spirit will keep inspiring me to become an even better person and to live my own life to the fullest.
Love,
Coco
Student Anecdotes about Residents
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