| When my son was born prematurely at 30 | | | | dull her sensitivity.She showed so much sensitivity |
| weeks, the entire family was in total shock. After | | | | to my feelings at such a sensitive time for me. |
| the initial shock wore of, however, our daily | | | | This special act of kindness, among all the other |
| routine did not revert back to the old schedule. | | | | kindnesses that this caring nurse performed, will |
| We were still in a state of constant worry and | | | | forever be etched in my heart. |
| we had to make daily trips to the hospital. | | | | Even long after we were discharged from the |
| During this time period I was in close contact with | | | | hospital and back into the daily rush of life I |
| the specialists and the doctors but even more so | | | | thought a lot about Karen. She helped me to go |
| with the nurses. They were always there, and I | | | | on, to hope, to be encouraged. Her smile meant |
| made it my business to maintain a good | | | | much more to me than she could ever imagine. |
| relationship with them and they graciously | | | | There is a lot that I learnt from Karen. We all |
| answered my myriad questions. | | | | assume some form of authority over others at |
| There was one nurse in particular, Karen, to | | | | some point in their lives; parent to child, older |
| whom I took an immediate liking. She was kind | | | | sibling to younger, teacher to pupil, doctor to |
| and compassionate, and always took time to talk | | | | patient, or daughter to dependent parent.When |
| to me. It is well-known to anyone who has spent | | | | I'm in any of these "authority positions: I hope to |
| time in the I.C.U. for babies that the nurses hardly | | | | learn from Karen: |
| have a spare second, so Karen's finding time for | | | | - Don't intimidate them. |
| me was gratefully appreciated. | | | | - Be kind and respectful when exercising your |
| There is one particular incident that stands out in | | | | authority. |
| my mind. When Karen felt that the baby was | | | | - Show consideration - show that you care. |
| ready to be picked up for the first time, at the | | | | There is a two folded benefit to act like this. |
| age of 4 weeks, she discreetly arranged for a | | | | Firstly, it builds a trusting relationship and boosts |
| photograph to be taken of this momentous | | | | the self-esteem of the one dependant on your |
| occasion. This was so meaningful to me. | | | | good-will. |
| Remember, Karen witnessed these kind of | | | | Secondly, you will also directly benefit from it, for |
| memorable occasions daily, and my situation was | | | | it will be moulding you into a better and kinder |
| not much different than all of the other children in | | | | person. |
| the ward. Yet she did not allow this familiarity to | | | | |