Dr Bernice Catherine Harper
My Hero!
The Hospice Gala
National Hospice Foundation
2010
Got the coffee goin this mornin! Poured two cups again... it's siting right here, if you don't show up, guess I'll just drink yours this morning! That didn't work out when I last wrote it, as one of you showed up and had coffee with me!
Morning comes softly as I reflect on the Gala in D.C., time with Dr Harper and with old and cherished friend Jean Bergaust, another well respected Hospice Pioneer from yesteryear that I had the opportunity to spend some lovely time with! Stay tuned for that picture maybe later this week! So many wonderful and treasured friends, stories of the "old days", new days and future dreams for hospice...
Jean well loved, respected and a "spit-fire" for years (still is I might just add) LOL ... her husband was lovely many and a brilliant author and journalist with more than 60 books under his belt having gone to the moon journalistically ~ Erik Bergaust was "Reaching For The Stars" before we went to the moon journalistically, while Jean was embarking on similar journey's within the world of hospice and politics! She is a force to be reckoned with indeed, and I so love her energy.
"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open" {Elmer G Letterman}
Dear Dr Bernice Catherine Harper still parts the crowds from the time she entered the Omni Shoreham, with folks holding the doors as she entered! A smile on her face, with amazing grace in each and every step; seems folks just wanted to reach out and touch, kiss her cheek and say hello; thank her for her life's work in hospice, social work, on the hill and for all people of all colors, all walks of life. She is the "professionals professional" taking time for all, no matter how much time it takes! {and heaven help Jean and I if we had to go to the bathroom... that could take 47 minutes just to get there!} LOL
Hospice is about LIFE, about living, about dedication to all people and enhancing the lives of those facing end of life care, decisions and making daggone sure that whatever time is left is the best it can be! Really really believing in your deepest heart-body-mind that care of the body is nothing without care of the soul...
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Hospice and Palliative Care offer individuals with serious, life-limiting illness and/or disease, expert care and pain symptom management. That combined with holistic care and support to that individual and all those that love them; family, friends and community! Hospice is diverse in its structure, but unified in its mission and values. (at least for the most part!)
I will not even try to tell you that it is always wine and roses... I too know of times when there are thorns among the roses... and we'll just leave it at that.
Dr Harper, Samira Beckwith and Jean Bergaust {all still gorgeous I might add}, and I got to spend some time at the Gala, and remembered when we started the first task force on minority access and diversity in hospice care back in .... well let's just say back before "diversity was cool" (a long long time ago)! Not to date any of us, but it was a few moons ago!
ah, where was I ... oh right, Hospice in all its glory, that's right...
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization... back in the day it only was known as National Hospice Organization (NHO) so much easier to remember back then! LOL
What an organization it is! It closely monitors trends among programs, has a wonderful marketplace of resources, books, items for sale, a great website for finding a local hospice in areas across the country and is the "pulse" for hospice happenings! Here ya go! http://www.nhpco.org/
An estimated 1.45 million patients rceive care every year: 38.5 percent of all deaths in the U.S. were under the care of a hospice program... so I am wondering ... why is that number so low? How can we educate our communities and let them know Hospice is here for them, for their families, their communities? I guess it just goes to show ya, just like it says in Healing Heartaches, "people don't know what they don't know"! So, we must continue to educate folks, doctors, faith communities, entertainers and others:
HOSPICE IS ABOUT LIFE! Not a place... that is not hospice.... although in patient units are wonderful!
Hospice is a "concept of care"... It is about helping a patient, adding value and quality of care to patients and families and community... Helping someone at the end of life to live as best as possible during the end of life... To live well, to love much, and to have it all for as long as we are blessed to live, with added supports available ~ S T O M P... "are ya feelin me?"
Did you know there are over 4,850 hospices nationwide? WOW... Most care hospice provides is provided in people's homes, that is where folks want to be; in their home, in their safe place! Lookin' out their window, goin' out to see their garden, their gulf, their mountains, their cities!
And here is another little known fact:
People come to hospice care with many diagnoses:
Cancer; Debility, Heart Disease, Dementia, Lung Disease, Kidney Disease, Children, Teens, Adults, Elders ~ Many many diagnoses....
So I had to just let you know...
HOSPICE ROCKS!
We are EVERYWHERE~!
In homes, hospitals, nursing homes, on reservations, in your neighborhoods! Never know when you might be sittin next to a hospice worker/volunteer!
WE ARE YOU!!!
Advocates on Capital Hill, we are up to our elbows at times, we are at memorial services, we are having a bake sale at times, we are just around the corner balancing things like you at other times... we hurt and bleed and grieve like everyone else, but hopefully you don't have to be privvy to that!
The National Hospice Foundation donors fuel NHPCO programs, they were the original hearts of vision, mission and hearts of hospice! They were honored at the Gala for their unwavering love and support ~ They laid a foundation of awareness of hospice through faith and mercy... they envision a world where everyone facing serious illness, death and grief will experience the best that humankind can offer. And to make that vision a reality the National Hospice Foundation supports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's quality and research initiatives, hospice/palliative care provider education activities; consumer engagements and caregiver services and the Foundation For Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA) Impact Fund, and they support those who are committed to hospice! Here ya go, check it out!http://www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/
Our dearest Dr Bernice Catherine Harper is of course a founding Mother of many of these wonderful things I might also let you know. A social worker by profession... a heart of hospice by DNA I am sure.
So there you are, more than you can imagine on hospice to go out and be an advocate for HOSPICE...
hug a hospice person today, share a hospice story if you will! Visit them at their website, I also have links on my website as well!
The founder of the mother ship of Hospice; St Christopher's' in England, Dame Cicely Saunders stated: "You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to live until you die.”
That my friends... is HOSPICE, thank you Dame Saunders for our beginnings... may we continue on with your vision into our future.
So... what's new with all of you today? Any rides on the backs of dolphins? Any new and exciting things on for the day?
As for me, busy here with hospice correspondence today and then more of that! A call to Jean Bergsaust and Dr Bernice Catherine Harper would be a lovely way to kick off the day ... but much to do...
might just have to bathe a dog during my break!
The fire is burning, the embers are hot... The sage and sweetgrass are filling the air with delightful smells ... sending HOPE in healing and thoughts on the gentle breeze on this sunny morning to those who know who they are...
To Chris in NY, time to return to home, to Jill stand up my dear, warpaint on, CLIMB, STOMP and know we are with you, ready to fight, Cindy in NC prayers are with you, safe and warm ... Liz, Lee, Molly, Joanie, Jude, Matthew, Joe, Faith, 6 year old Shelby family/friends, Phyllis in FL, Lynn Redgraves' family, Charlie Soap and family thoughts of healing ways, Laura, Jannessa, "Southwest Virginia", Gayle E., Rene, Mary, Betty, Linda, Angela,
and all the others who know... you know this.
You are in the thoughts of many, and the arms of the angels... may you find comfort here, strength that you need! S T O M P
C'mon outshine the sun, make it YOUR day... smile til your face aches, extend kindness to those you meet ~
And lastly... what is a day without our beloved Dr Seuss to make you spit your coffee???
"In my world, everyone's a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!"
Walk In Beauty!
DRSES
author of
Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life
7 comments:
Wow, what a knockout picture of you gals! You look like an Angel in that white outfit. Never knew Dr. Seuss was so funny. That was a great quote. Thanks for the brief history of Hospice and the awesome work they do. It takes a "Heart of Hospice" to provide for so many at he end of life. What wold we do without Hospice care? You are right, many people think Hospice is all about dying, and just don't know that it is about living, about comfort, support,and quality of life. Bravo Dr. SES for your many contributions to Hospice care over the years. You Rock.
I am STILL digesting the Dr. Seuss quote ! lol
Ah, yes, HOSPICE and I became friends many, many years ago and 3 relatives' death ago.
I am the person I am today, because of HOSPICE
and their workers, volunteers, nurses, staff.
Thank you all from my beating heart & sound mind, for my sanity would not be intact today
without the concern for ME, being left behind.
Very nice pic of you, Sherry at the Gala.
Good to hear of your friends " back in the day"
I might just join you for that cup of JOE
one morning !!!! I have been keeping busy, doing good deeds in my senior neighborhood, bringing my " personality" & smile to many.
STOMP all over this Wednesday, Sink-O-deMAYO!
OMG - STUNNING - YOU NOT ONLY LOOK LIKE AN ANGEL, YOU ARE OUR ANGEL. I LOVE THE SAYING "PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW" I THINK IT HELPS US BE A LITTLE MORE PATIENT AND KIND TO OTHERS.CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MORE PICS. HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL.
Good morning Dr. SES, thanks for all the reminders of what Hospice is all about. The nurses, cna, volunteers are the best. You have to be a special person to do the job they do. They take care of all with the kindness in their hearts and soul. Volunteers are wonderful people who give so much of their time to caring for others. They meet so many good people in families and then they meet some family members who have battles to fight even tho their love one is dying. What a shame and disgrace that we cant all work together for the one we love. Your kind words today reminds us of what Hospice is all about and the wonderful people who work in Hospice and contribute so much of their life. We honor you for the years spent in Hospice and the love you have shown and still do. Not only are you Dr. SES, you are the HEART OF HOSPICE recipent. Have a happy day. You are right go out there and make someone SMILE. I AM GOING TO DO JUST THAT RIGHT NOW. STOMP
Thank you for the education, smiles and the honor of sharing your coffee and energy this morning. May we all "live until we die." Love and Blessings to you!
In truth, when people hear HOSPICE, they think
LIFE is truly whay Hospice is all about, we all need to help educate those who don't know.
Also would like to mention how Hosice is about LIFE after DEATH and the great services
provided to us left behind and working our grief. "drseswickedcool", you ROCK ! Thanks for the info.... Great picture !!!
"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open" {Elmer G Letterman}
What a great quote!
PJ Tampa Bay
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