A happy surprise at Bingo tonight at the Mansion, Tim returned from rehab after the amputation of his right leg. He is loving the G2 Canon camera we gave him, taking pictures like a fiend. He looks good, is in good spirits and much less pain.
He will go back to rehab shortly to be fitted with an artificial leg. This will hopefully make him mobile again. Tim is, as always, cheerful and upbeat and eager to talk. He loves taking pictures, as I suspected he would I’m eager to see some of them.
The camera cost $50, it is ten years old but works as if new, we got it online. A small act of great kindness, Tim is a creative, he is hooked on photography. I hope to get him to the farm so we can take some pictures together.
I”m glad to see Tim back. He loves to get letters, if you wish, you can write him c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. You can support my work at the Mansion by sending a donation to Jon Katz, c/o P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark the check or payment “The Mansion,” thanks.
At The Mansion, we do not perform miracles, we do not play God, we commit small acts of great kindness. Every few weeks, I sponsor an outing, lunch at the Round House Cafe (above) for three or four residents. Julie, the Activities Director, always comes along. We order off the menu, usually soup and sandwiches.
The groups are small so that we can talk and get to know each other. I love hearing the residents tell the story of their lives.
Getting out for lunch means a great deal to the residents, and the lunches have become important to me as well. In these small gatherings, I see the great value of them being out in the world among people.
It is so important that they get to step out of their lives.
One of the residents does not want to be photographed, I always warn her and she turns away from the camera. It is always their choice to be photographed or not.
I get the best tips on what the residents need from some of the night staff, they know as well as anyone what clothes or shoes the residents have, they help put them to bed. At Bingo night, I get slips of paper asking for help for this resident or that one.
Tonight, one of the men told me he needs warmer sweatpants for the winter. I ordered two pairs for him.
An aide told me an older woman desperately needs wide shoes, her feel have swollen and it is painful for her to walk in her old shoes. She is, I was told, in pain whenever she puts her shoes on.
Another aide told me of a resident who only owns dresses, she has no sweatpants or comfortable summer or fall clothes. I ordered her two pairs of sweatpants, one colorful, one black. Two residents needed underwear, I got three sets.
This week, the Mansion’s new Portable Lightweight Wheelchair Scale is on the way, courtesy of the Army of Good. The very old one they had was too narrow and was extraordinarily difficult for the staff to use.
We have made a huge difference to the residents. If you wish to help me help the residents, you can send a contribution to me, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark the check or payments “The Mansion.” And thanks.
Three inexpensive items on the new Mansion Wish List, badly needed underwear for women, some paper plates and some picture hangers, from $8.75 to $12.00. Check out the new and very short list.
Maria and I will be calling the Bingo game tonight. It gets wild in there.
Our pal Tim at the Mansion had his right leg amputated last week (he gave me permission to write about this) and the surgery went well. He expects to be coming back to the Mansion in several weeks, and then return to a rehab facility to get a prosthesis, and hopefully, to be able to walk again.
He drives his motorized wheelchair all over town, he is a writer and now, thanks to the Army Of Good, a photographer and artist. I called Tim this morning at the Sunnyview Rehabilitation Facility in Schenectady, New York (1270 Belmont Avenue, Schenectady, N.Y., N.Y., 12308.
We had a good talk, Tim is feeling better, his leg was very painful and is hopeful about his recovery. He is eager to use his camera and read the big pile of books he has stockpiled. Tim is a sweet soul and a passionate writer.
He is especially eager to get his new leg, his old one was mangled in an automobile accident. He is very eager to come home to the Mansion. I love his attitude, cheerful, open, uncomplaining. He’s a charter member of the Friday night Bingo Game.
I asked him if there is anything he might need, and he thought about it for awhile and said yes, there was, he would love some lifesavers, especially Peppermint or Evergreen. I sent him off a box this morning, feel free to send some more.
Tim said he would love to get your letters and messages, he has plenty of time to read in the hospital. His address is Tim Rice, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital, 1270 Belmont Avenue, Schenectady, New York, 1270 Belmont Avenue, Schenectady, N.Y., 12308.
Joan won four games at Bingo tonight, she is the Mansion Bingo Player Of The Week. And she was elated at all of the excitement, even if she wasn’t sure what it was all about. Our friend Susan sat with Joan during the games and helped her mark her card.
She was quite pleased with herself. I learned tonight that Joan needs sandals to wear in the warm weather, I ordered them online tonight. Wayne also asked for two more T-shirts, one or two of his shorts have worn down.
