Hi, my name is Arlene Disbrow. I have worked in the health field for over twenty years in many capacities. My main focus has been communication between the medical staff and the patient. For me, the patient is the most important person in the room. It is that person who is the hub around which all others revolve.
My Dad was very ill with Parkinson's Disease and Lyme's Disease. Unlike Michael J. Fox who also has Parkinson's, my Dad lost his ability to communicate. The timbre of his voice was so low that I could not hear him. His hands shook so that he could not write. The frustration in his eyes were met with my own frustration of not understanding what he wanted to say. There had to be a way to reach him but I didn't know how.
My job, for many years, was as a communication partner for a young man who was non-verbal due to a traumatic brain injury and had autistic behaviors. We worked with picture symbols in our daily routine.
One day it occurred to me that I could make a booklet for my Dad that could help him to communicate. I worked very hard on creating something that would cover most of his essential physical, emotional, and mental needs. When it was done, I gave him the booklet. He looked through it, and he pointed to 'Thank you.” He then turned a page and pointed to “I love you.” We both cried tears of joy.
This booklet brought back his integrity. It gave him a voice that he thought was lost. He found his independence and ability to make decisions about his health care.
Three years after he passed away, I realized that my Dad was just one person that I helped and that there are many others who could benefit from my communication system.
Here is an easy communication tool for families who's loved one is at home or in a nursing home.
You can visit my website at: www.crucial-communications.com
I would love to hear from you. I’d love to hear suggestions, and comments that might improve this communication tool.
Please let me know what you think. Thank you so much for reading this blog.
Until next time…
Arlene
