Everybody wins.

It has been a couple of weeks since we returned from Jamaica and while we have been "quiet" when it comes to blog posting, we have been very "noisy" behind the scenes.

During the week the Matron had identified several needs which we worked on immediately. There was one need however which was quite a bit bigger and at one point she suggested a solution which we were really excited about trying to implement. We took both the need and the proposed solution to Won by One to Jamaica and they have decided to help support the resulting project.

So what was the need and the proposed solution?

As you have likely realized in many of our photos and stories shared thus far, there are a number of people who need help rebuilding muscle mass, increasing their mobility (for circulation, muscle retention, etc) and people who simply need exercise to stay healthy.

In addition, everyone at the Infirmary could benefit from recreational activities (which we tried to explore and assess in 2006 & 2007) to keep their minds fresh, hands busy, and spirits high.

The Matron had identified the need for physical conditioning and activity as an improvement to residential care, but also recognized that the Infirmary could not financially support the hiring of new personnel to lead activities.

She had a resume on file for Nichola, a young woman who lives in Harmons. We'd brought in Nichola's resume earlier in the week related to a separate open position at the Infirmary. Nichola has several nursing diplomas and has been seeking employment for a significant period of time. She is an incredibly warm person with integrity, confidence, and a persevering heart.

As our conversations with the Matron went deeper about their need for someone to lead physical activities her eyes widened. Tapping on Nichola's resume, still on her desk, she said "Perhaps SHE could do the job!",

Ryan and I had been having a similar conversation the night before and were thrilled that the Matron had come up with the same idea on her own.

Once we returned to the U.S. we spoke with Won by One and the organization was very supportive of the project to hire Nichola as their full-time employee who will volunteer at the Infirmary on a daily basis.

Ryan and I have committed to raising 50% of the yearly salary for this position and Won by One has committed to raising the other 50%. The Matron and Nichola will be meeting this week and finalizing the new agreement.

At present we have funds to pay Nichola for just over one full year. Thanks to a series of gracious donors the position is funded from April 2008 to July 2008.

As you might have guessed, we still have other needs to be fulfilled which include training items (books and manuals), physical therapy materials to conduct activities such as stretch bands, stretch tubes, strength-training squish balls, and a variety of other things. So the work is not yet done.

We are thrilled about this new opportunity not only to support Nichola with full time employment, but also to provide the residents of the Infirmary with consistent care addressing their physical needs, and to continue developing a deeper partnership with Infirmary as a whole.
It is not often in life that a project can be so seamlessly conceived, implemented, and still achieve victory on all sides of a collaborative effort. But this time, everybody wins.