Volunteering at the Assisted Living Care Center

You are a 25 year old caucasian male named Chris living at home with mom in a Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield. You have a rock star look from the 80's (Hair Nation), long blond hair that covers your shoulders, which shines due to the amount of hair spray you use.The clothes you wear scream Motley Crue groupie from 1986. You play the guitar in a band, have a nose ring and both ears are pierced and you like to wear spiked leather bracelets. Outside of being a rocker, you also enjoy the outdoors and experiencing thrill adventures. Your mom, who is 45 years old and looks like June Cleaver wants you to make better use of your time by helping others in the community, as you have a life time ahead of you for thrill seeking. [[Start]]

The online application was surprisingly easy and painless. Hopefully volunteering here will go the same... Soon after you apply, you receive an email from the Volunteer Coordinator at Community Senior Living Center, Sue Jones. Your next step is to head into the CSLC for an interview with Sue, where you find out that a background check is a requirement... [[you move forward with the process and submit your background check.]] [[in light of recent events, you're unsure if you'll be able to pass the backgrond check, and opt out.]]

So much for a successful tour, your band got booed off of every stage you entered...you should probably rethink being a musician. [[With your head down, dragging your guitar behind you, you head back to Milwaukee and finally take your mother's advice and apply to volunteer at CSLC.->Mother knows best, as many say... You take her advice, and apply at the Community Senior Living Center.]]

Congratulations!! You passed the background check, guess you're not as punk as you thought you were. After emailing with Sue, you agree on a day to meet for the formal orientation and tour. But before you can begin, you must face your greatest fear of needles and recieve a flu shot. [[Facing your fear, you get the flu shot.]] [[....Nah, never gonna happen]]

[[Opting out of a background check was a major red flag for the Community Senior Living Center (CSLC), perhaps consider reapplying when you become more mature. Start over if you wish to make better choices->Welcome To The Real World]]

The flu shot sucked, but your unsucessful band is far worse. The following Monday you meet with Sue, who is smiling ear to ear and instantly made you feel welcomed, making you interested in learning more about the center. She immediately points out your nose ring, and polietly tells you to remove it. [[You understand why and decide to remove it, it was fake anyway.]]

[[After lounging around the house for weeks watching MTV rerruns, your mother confronts you for never going to CSLC. Eventually she convinces you to get the shot...sooner or later, rerunns get pretty old.->Facing your fear, you get the flu shot.]]

Beginning the tour, you are guided through the lobby. Near a large, bird cage there is a window with an elderly man and woman peering out the window. There matching grey hair and set of wrinkles were illuminated by the sun shining through the stain glass window. As you and Sue continue the tour, you notice a man struggling to get into the elevator with his wheel chair. Sue asks him if he needed help and he firmly declined... [[He clearly is struggling but since he said no, you follow Sue into the neighboring elevator.->You and Sue enter into the elevator.]] [[Despite his firm tone, you reach for the handles of the wheel chair and adjust his position.]] [[ Internally laughing, you follow Sue into a different elevator.->You and Sue enter into the elevator.]]

The man firmly repeats that he does not want any help. Sue pulls you to the side and states that she will have a nursing assistant speak with the man and assist him. [[You and Sue enter into the elevator.]]

She mentions an opportunity for you to volunteer at a nursing home nearby, specifically the Community Senior Living Center (CSLC). You've never been the type to volunteer, but knowing your grandmother may soon need to be placed in a nursing home, this idea really hits home. Plus the fact that your mom has been dying to get you out of the house..... [[Mother knows best, as many say... You take her advice, and apply at the Community Senior Living Center.]] [[Feeding your hunger for a record deal for your band, you embark on a state-wide tour!]]

Sue pushes the button for the third floor, and leads you down the hall to a dimly lit conference room. The faces of the residents are lit up by a black and white film spoken in Russian. In the corner is a small women wrapped in a blanket holding a doll... [[Explanation]]

Sue explains that the different floors at the center provide for different levels of care. For example, residents on second floor may have a more concerning medical condition than those on the third floor. The center also provides for out patient therapy and has a elderly living area for those who do not really have medical issues but need some type of assistance due to their age. [[ Complete Tour ]]

Sue completes your tour, taking you back down to the first floor. She then thanks you for coming in and states "Hope to see you soon, glad you have decided to volunteer with us". You bid her a good day, and thank her for the tour. You then proceed to your car and on the way home, you start thinking about the hours you will need to comlpete and what activities you may want to do. [[Day One]]

You got with the band at 7pm, practiced for about an hour, then out on the town for night of ridiculous drinking. You are gonna pay for that when you wake up with a hang-over and start drinking multiple alkaseltzer. You will need to get a hold on yourself and start getting your hours in at the CSLC, or you will end up regreting it later. Keep it real and decide what you want to do. [[ Keep practicing and hang with the guy's. ]] [[ Go into the center the next day. ]]

After calling Sue, you find out that there is poker club on the fourth floor, and religious services later in the early evening. Poker club starts at 2pm and religious services at 3:30pm. What do want to do? [[ Poker Club ]] [[ Religious Services ]]

You have not recieved the monthly calender of activities taking place at the CSLC. You decide that you should probably call Sue and ask what activities are on the calendar for today. You then remember, it's Friday and the guys from the band want to practice and go have few beers. You know that you need the hours and are looking forward to the first day of volunteering. What do you do? [[ You are feeling the peer pressure of your band members and decide to practice and have some beers ]] [[ You call Sue later in the day and get the schedule and decide to help out with activities ]]

So you want to keep practing with the guys and put your volunteering responsiblity off to the side. Well good luck with the band, your time at the CSLC or better yet, no time at the center, is over before it began. [[GAME OVER]]

You go into the center the next day, and have volunteered to assist with poker, which will take place in dinning room hall of the fourth floor. [[ Poker Club ]]

Great choice you're sure it will be fun and you play poker yourself. When you arrive you are tasked to pick up individuals who wish to come and play poker for play money which allows them to purchase simple hygiene items at the center. When you go to pick up the second individual by name of Vivian, you are told by nusing assistant, that Vivian is fond of young men. You look back at the nursing assistant with a "did you just say what I thought you said" look on your face. When you arrive to Vivian's room, sure enough the first things out of her mouth is "My aren't you a handsome young man." But you are used to hearing that from your grandmother when you visit with her, some all grandmothers say to their grand children. [[Poker continued]]

Thanks for wanting to stay a little longer to help move residents to religious service, but you need finish helping with the poker club first. [[Poker continued]]

[[start over ->Welcome To The Real World]]

You have finished bringing the residents to the 4th floor for poker club. All are either in wheelchairs or are in a wheelchair that can be positioned into a laying position. There are 5 males and 6 females, most appear to be in their late 60's to mid 70's. Some of the residents at times appear to be distracted or as if they are somewhere else, but don't be fooled they are paying attention and know how to play cards. Vivian, who seems to be the outspoken one of the group, is giving you a hard time about the cards you are dealing her, but you know it's all in fun. Cards last for about an hour, and you had a good time interacting with the group and dealing the cards. Now it's time for religious services. [[You volunteer to stay to help, but receive a call from your friend in the band and decide to leave.]] [[You stay and help move residents to religious services.]]

You're not going to make it here at the CSLC, yes the center calls for some time to be spent helping residents (very little and you choose the days), but you just can not resist wanting to do other things. [[Game Over, go back to start->Start]]

Thanks for staying! The staff is thankful for your help in moving residents to the chapel, and waiting for services to conveyne to help take residents back to their rooms. During the service you reflect back on the poker club and feel pretty good about coming in. You also have observed the chapel service, and start to realize the residents at the CSLC are just like anyone else with the exception of needing help to get through their day-to-day activities. They have a sense of humor, are kind, some a little angry, and some very quiet. You soon realize this may be the reason why the CSLC needs volunteers. It is here when you wonder how your grandmother feels being in a similar situation. Service ends and you help get the residents back to their rooms, and sign out for the day. [[Day 2]]

Day 2 consists of volunteering for dinner during a religious holiday. You thought that this would be an exciting event because you will learn something new about another religion and interact more with the residents. The movement of residents from their floors starts at 5pm and all resident who will attended the dinner need to be moved to the first floor by 5:30pm. Time to get going it's 4pm now. [[Arrive at the center]]

You arrive at the center at 4:45pm, and sign in. You then begin to look for the person in charge of movement by the name of Larry. You run into a tall light skinned female (6ft) with long black hair and blue eyes, wearing glasses. You intruduce yourself and ask her if she has seen Larry. She introduces herself as Michelle and states that she has not seen Larry, but was going up the 5th floor to look for him, although he could be anywhere. [[Get on the elevator with Michelle]] [[Wait on the first floor, and hope Larry shows up]]

You both get off on the fifth floor and find Larry, a shorter light skinned guy, about 5'5", short brown hair, glasses, wearing causual dress clothes's. He hands you and Michelle a list and shows you who to pick up. You begin picking the residents and with one of them, there appears to be a bit of a problem. The woman by name of Natasha looks at you and says in a loud angered voice, "Who are you, and what do you want?" You say who you are and why you're there. She continues to yell. [[Attempt to take her down regardless of her yelling at you]] [[Hope someone else will take her]]

Larry is not coming down to the first floor, get on the elevator. [[Get on the elevator with Michelle]]

As you attempt to talk to Natasha and take her downstairs, Michelle arrives and says "I'll take her down if you would pick up another resident." You think "whew that could not have more perfectly timed." Although you had this thought, you know that some of the residents have mental health issues and feel bad for Natasha, but she knows who Michelle is. Pick up the next resident and proceed to the dining hall. [[Dining Hall]]

As luck would have it, Michelle returned to take Natasha, and she asks you get the last resident on floor and go to the dining hall. [[Dining Hall]]

You're in the dining hall sitting next to Dan, a resident you met during the poker club. You and Dan are talking while the dinner starts and you notice some foods you have never encountered before on the plates. The food, Dan explains to you represents different aspects of his religion. As the ceremony continues, the lead religious head states it is now time to consume the small amount of food on the plate as he explains its symbolism. First up, is what appears to be as Dan explained, a canned fish. It is to be eaten with a red horseradish garnish. [[To show your respect, you try the fish.]] [[No way, not today!]]

You tried it, glad you put the horseradish garnish on it, not bad. Dan is pleased. [[Next Food]]

So Dan lets you get by without trying the fish, as he does not like that much either. [[Next Food]]

You know Dan is pleased that you are there and the others at the table are paying attention to your participation. So being that you're there for the remainder of the dinner, you try all the foods. Dan looks at you and says "We will make a ______ man out of you yet" as he laughs. Dinner was good and Dan kept you entertained. It is now 8pm and the majority of the residents have already went back to their rooms, some on their own and others assisted by volunteers. Dan is able to get around on his own using his feet to propel his wheelchair. It is now time to leave and you bid Dan a good night, and he expresses his appreciation for you coming in and sitting with him. It is 9pm when you get home, but you feel good about your time at the center again, and are ready for the next day at the CSLC. End of Day 2. [[Day Three]]

You arrive back the CSLC a few days later to help out from what was described on the calander as a 'poetry slam'. The large conference room where it was being held had many tables with residents sitting doing various actvities. You decide to sit at a table covered in unique magazine photos. Some depicted nature scenes, while others had images of people in colorful clothes, and different motivational quotes. Sitting at the table, there are several residents who appear to be needing assistance gluing the photos down onto colorful paper. You are told by a fellow volunteer to help out one of the residents at this table. [[Follow the advice of the fellow volunteer and help out a resident]] [[You decide to go to another table that appears to require less resident interaction]]

One woman in particular stands out, her grey hair is pulled back into a messy bun similar to how your grandma wears her hair, with a knit quilt balled up onto her lap. You sit down next to the woman, who seems to be in her ninety's and introduce yourself. She lets out a noise that could possibly be her acknowledging your introduction but you aren't quite sure. You ask her if she would like some help creating a picture collage for her 'poem.' She gives you a slight nod so you begin to grab some pictures from around the table and show them to the woman. She doesn't say anything when you ask her about a picture but you keep persisting by asking her what she would like you to do. After a long time of silence and no signs of confirmation of what she would like you to do, you... [[eventually give up and begin putting together a collage with whichever pictures you like, completely leaving out the woman.]] [[remain patient and continue trying your best to help the woman.]]

[[Start over->Welcome To The Real World]]

You arrive to meet your band for a jam sesh and they ask where you were coming from. You tell them you left early from volunteering because the activity wasn't very riveting. As you are telling them this, you think back to the woman at the table who looked you straight in the eye and realize that she probably was not able not ask for the assistance that she needed. She is among some of the residents who are not able to speak at all or speak very well, making it very difficult to ask for the assistance she may need. You could have helped her much more than you thought at the time, instead you did not. [[Game Over.]]

You sit down next to the woman, who seems to be in her ninety's and introduce yourself. She lets out a noise that could possibly be her acknowledging your introduction but you aren't quite sure. You ask her if she would like some help creating a picture collage for her 'poem.' She gives you a slight nod so you begin to grab some pictures from around the table and show them to the woman. She doesn't say anything when you ask her about a picture but you keep persisting by asking her what she would like you to do. After a long time of silence and no signs of confirmation of what she would like you to do, you. [[eventually give up and begin putting together a collage with whichever pictures you like, completely leaving out the woman.]] [[remain patient and continue trying your best to help the woman.]]

Everyone loves looking at the collage and hearing your short explanation of what types of pictures the woman wanted to choose. You feel happy that you decided to stay and learn more about this resident by seeing which pictures she loved the most and how she wanted to put together the collage. A successful day of volunteering it was, so you head home. [[Day Four]]

The residents at this table are working hard at creating many different poems and don't require much assistance with putting them together. You mostly sit back in your chair hoping that no one requests too much from you. Other than helping pass around supplies and stare out the window to the lake you don't help out with anything very meaningful. You look down at you phone to check the time and notice a text from your bandmates about having a jam sesh. Before leaving, you quickly glance back at the other table and notice that there are more residents that need more assistance than there are volunteers to help them. One woman in particular stands out, her grey hair is pulled back into a messy bun similar to how your grandma wears her hair, with a knit quilt balled up onto her lap. Eventually she looks up, making eye contact with you appearing to need help. Though if she needs assistance you think, she could just ask another volunteer. [[Your bandmates need more help then she probably does right now, you leave.]] [[You decide to stay and help her instead]]

The woman remains silent and watches as you put together a collage. After you finish, the activity is wrapping up and a staff person begins to ask for anyone who wants to share their poem with everyone. Since you created the collage and did not let the resident which you were "helping" create it, you decide not to share your collage. You see the other residents become extremely happy and uplifted when either they or a volunteer help them share their creation and everyone enjoys it. Unfortunately the resident you were "helping" was not able to receive as much enjoyment from this activity as she could have. If you would like to repeat 'Day Three' and make some different decisions, click [[here->Day Three]] .

As you keep showing her some of the images, you begin to pick up on her body laguage. She nods her head and sometimes makes a noise to say she likes a picture or agrees with the composition of the pictures which you lay out. She chooses many images with very colorful nature scenes in them as well as the images focusing on interesting people. You continue to place the pictures that she likes the best into a complete collage and paste it all together. The layout she wanted looks very artsy in your eyes, and has an overall beautiful balance of color and imagery. The final piece looks great! After you finish helping the woman create her poem, one of the staff asks if you would like to share it with everyone else. The activity is wrapping up so some of the other residents are sharing their creations. [[You share the poem.]]

You realize that your time at CSLC will soon be coming to an end, making you wonder what life will be like for the residents without your sophisticated presence throughout the facility. Signing in, you feel a gentle hand rest on your shoulder. You swiftly turn around to see the usually cheerful Sue looking a bit down. “Hi Chris! I didn’t mean to startle you, but I just found out that your time here will soon be ending. Now while I’m sure this wasn’t exactly the most fun thing in the world for you, I just wanted to let you know how truly blessed we feel to have had such a hardworking volunteer.” [[“Hey lady, I don’t know where you’ve been this whole time, nor do I understand how I’ve made you feel “blessed” but yeah….thanks? Also don’t touch me.”]] [[“Hey, thanks.. That means a lot!”]]

PHEW, good thing you didn’t say that out loud! Though you may not think you’ve made an impact at the facility, it was nice of Sue to recognize your effort. [[You thank Sue for her compliment->“Hey, thanks.. That means a lot!”]]

Sue appreciates your kindness, and tells you of a resident who has requested a visit from a volunteer to chat…. [[visit the resident]]

You arrive on the residents floor, and eventually make your way towards their door, room 203. You knock a couple times, which yields no response…You notice that the door is cracked ever so slightly, and decide to peer in. Inside the small room an elderly man is seen sitting in a wheelchair, loudly watching television. [[knock even LOUDER this time, this should do the trick!]] [[Slowly open the door, and greet yourself]] [[Body slam yourself against the door, and pray the day will soon be over]]

You knock several more times, getting louder with each agonizing knock. Eventually you gain the attention from one of the nurses, who tells you that you may enter the room to introduce yourself. [[introduce yourself]]

After introducing yourself the man turns his head, appearing to be confused. You repeat yourself, motioning to turn down the television. The man grunts something under his breath before slowly turning down the t.v. “I’m Bill, and I do not like visitors.” [[You respond,...->You respond...]]

WHOOSH! Laying on the ground you feel like the whole earth is spinning rapidly. Everything hurts, but you manage to open your eyes. “What the heck are you doing on my floor, son?” The man asks, inches away from running you over with his wheelchair. [[You respond,...]]

Opening the door, you introduce yourself once you see the man turn his head towards you. Slowly reaching for the remote, he eventually turns down the television. “I’m Bill, and I do not like visitors.” [[You respond...]]

After having small talk with Bill for a few minutes, your attention is drawn to the layout of his room. Modestly decorated with only a few personal touches. A scientific beaker of some sort, a WW2 cap, and a black and white photo of a young couple. Above his television is a poster that reads, “SAD AND LONELY” [[ask about the poster]] [[ask about the black & white couples photo]] [[ ask about the scientific beaker]]

“Hey Bill don’t get me wrong, I don’t wanna be here either bud. Though it would make this whole process a heck of a lot easier if you would cooperate” You mumble, lounging back off the end of his bed. Bill chuckled, “eh you’re not half bad kid, why don’t ya sit down, I guess we can chat.” [[Chat with Bill.]]

“H-E-Y dude, watch your wheels!” You screech, quickly lifting yourself off of the man’s floor. “Who are you anyways” The man says, rolling back toward the television slowly turning down the volume. “I’m chris, a volunteer here...I was hoping you wouldn’t mind talking for a bit…” Based on the man’s face, it was clear that something was upsetting him. “Well, while I’m not usually the biggest fan of visitors you did make quite the entrance. My names Bill, by the way.” [[Chat with Bill.]]

You take a closer look at the poster and notice that it’s been typed. This seems kinda odd considering most residents struggle when using technology, likely making it very difficult for him to have made on his own. “That’s an interesting poster Bill, did a nurse help you make it?” You ask, curious as to why a nurse would be fine assisting with the production of such a depressing wall decoration. “Yes. They said it could help me come to terms with my emotions, putting it out there for everyone to see. They think I’m getting depressed, all my life I’ve been content- traveling the world with my wife, working at my dream job.. Though now, now things are harder. It’s getting harder for me to even move around anymore, look at my wheelchair, son. I used to climb mountains, run down busy streets, now I’m trapped.” [[You still have time to travel, why not book a flight?]] [[Hey man, flights aren’t even that expensive! You should fly out with me and the boys for our next gig in Detroit!]]

You bring your attention to a bookshelf, and are immediately drawn to a black and white photo of a young couple- probably from the 60’s- a terrible era in music. “Who's that cute girl in the frame, your sister or something?” You ask, noticing the dark curly hair of the man in the photo. “That’s my wife!” [[HA, that guy looks nothing like you though. The dark hair, and full set of teeth? Don’t play me like that Bill]] [[Really?]]

“Hey Bill, what’s up with that beaker thing up there on that shelf?” Bill turned his attention to the bookshelf with the beaker, with a slight smile on his face. “Oh, that old thing? I used to be a pharmacist, and a darn good one if ya ask me son. I worked in that line of business for 25 years, older then you are I presume? I actually had quite the collection of beakers at one time, but when I moved here I had to get rid of most of them." [[Why did you have to get rid of them?]]

“Good question, well when I had to move here bout 5 years ago I had to downsize a lot of my possessions. I originally moved here with my beloved wife, who was very sick at the time… [[Why not keep some of your possessions?]]

“I unfortunately don’t have that luxury anymore. Given my medical issues, I have no choice but to live out my final days here.” [[Ask about the scientific beaker]]

Bill smiled, “thanks for the offer son, but given my medical issues I have no other choice but to stay here.” [[Ask about the scientific beaker]]

You’ve got quite the sense of humor, don’t ya son? That’s my wife and I when we first started dating. Beautiful isn’t she? Even on her final days she still had the beauty of the girl from the photo… She passed last fall due to an aggressive form of cancer. She actually used to stay in this room with me, things haven't been the same since she left. [[You ask about the beaker.]]

Yes sir! That’s my wife and I when we first started dating. Beautiful isn’t she? Even on her final days she still had the beauty of the girl from the photo… She passed last fall due to an aggressive form of cancer. She actually used to stay in this room with me, things haven't been the same since she left. [[You ask about the beaker.]]

“She was terribly sick, and we never had children. I didn’t want to be a burden for some distant relative to have to deal with all my pharmacy stuff, so I donated it all. The smithsonian even has a couple of my old rare textbooks, I guess that's how my legacy will live on.” [[You continue the coversation with Bill and ask about the poster on the wall.]]

“Good question, well when I had to move here bout 5 years ago I had to downsize a lot of my possessions. I originally moved here with my beloved wife, who was very sick at the time… [[why not keep some of your possessions?]]

“She was terribly sick, and we never had children. I didn’t want to be a burden for some distant relative to have to deal with all my pharmacy stuff, so I donated it all. The smithsonian even has a couple of my old rare textbooks, I guess that's how my legacy will live on.” [[You bring your attention to a bookshelf, and are immediately drawn to a black and white photo of a young couple]]

You think that it is probably from the 60’s- a terrible era in music. “Who's that cute girl in the frame, your sister or something?” You ask, noticing the dark curly hair of the man in the photo. “That’s my wife!” [[HA, that guy looks nothing like you though. The dark hair, and full set of teeth? Don’t play me like that Bill!]] [[Really??]]

After a few more mintues, you glance at the clock on your cell phone, and are surprised to see you’ve been talking with Bill for nearly an hour! [[Wrap up conversation]]

You take a closer look at the poster and notice that it’s been typed. This seems kinda odd considering most residents struggle when using technology, likely making it very difficult for him to have made on his own. “That’s an interesting poster Bill, did a nurse help you make it?” You ask, curious as to why a nurse would be fine assisting with the production of such a depressing wall decoration. “Yes. They said it could help me come to terms with my emotions, putting it out there for everyone to see. They think I’m getting depressed, all my life I’ve been content- traveling the world with my wife, working at my dream job.. Though now, now things are harder. It’s getting harder for me to even move around anymore, look at my wheelchair, son. I used to climb mountains, run down busy streets, now I’m trapped.” [[You still have time to travel, why not just book a flight?]] [[Hey man, flights aren’t even that expensive! You should just come fly out with me and the boys for our next gig in Detroit!]]

“She was terribly sick, and we never had children. I didn’t want to be a burden for some distant relative to have to deal with all my pharmacy stuff, so I donated it all. The smithsonian even has a couple of my old rare textbooks, I guess that's how my legacy will live on.” [[You continue chatting with Bill and ask him about the poster on his wall.]]

You take a closer look at the poster and notice that it’s been typed. This seems kinda odd considering most residents struggle when using technology, likely making it very difficult for him to have made on his own. “That’s an interesting poster Bill, did a nurse help you make it?” You ask, curious as to why a nurse would be fine assisting with the production of such a depressing wall decoration. “Yes. They said it could help me come to terms with my emotions, putting it out there for everyone to see. They think I’m getting depressed, all my life I’ve been content- traveling the world with my wife, working at my dream job.. Though now, now things are harder. It’s getting harder for me to even move around anymore, look at my wheelchair, son. I used to climb mountains, run down busy streets, now I’m trapped.” [[You still have time to travel, why not go ahead and book a flight?]] [[Hey man, flights aren’t even that expensive! You should just fly out with me and the boys for our next gig in Detroit!]]

“I unfortunately don’t have that luxury anymore. Given my medical issues, I have no choice but to live out my final days here.” [["That's really too bad" you respond, and continue chatting with Bill.->Continue chatting]]

Bill smiled, “thanks for the offer son, but given my medical issues I have no other choice but to stay here.” [["That's too bad" you respond and continue talking with Bill.->Continue chatting]]

“I unfortunately don’t have that luxury anymore. Given my medical issues, I have no choice but to live out my final days here.” [["Man, that kinda really sucks..." Your attention is drawn to a bookshelf, with a black and white photo of a young couple on it.]]

Bill smiled, “thanks for the offer son, but given my medical issues I have no other choice but to stay here.” [["Man, that kinda really sucks..." Your attention is drawn to a bookshelf, with a black and white photo of a young couple on it.]]

You ask him about the photo which you assume is probably from the 60’s- a terrible era in music. “Who's that cute girl in the frame, your sister or something?” You ask, noticing the dark curly hair of the man in the photo. “That’s my wife!” [[HA, that guy looks nothing like you though. The dark hair, and full set of teeth?? Don’t play me like that Bill!]] [[Wait, really?]]

“Bill, it was a pleasure to have talked with you, I mean you might even be the most interesting person I’ve ever met!” Bill smiled slightly, appearing to be a bit sad that the conversation will soon be over. “It was nice talking with you too son… I just wish I had done more things, you know...with my life.” Slightly caught off guard, you’re unsure what to say to make Bill feel better about himself. “Hey man, I mean sir, um Bill sir…. I know you may think your life has no meaning, you didn’t choose to get old- much like how I didn’t choose to be an amazing musician! Some things just happen, and boy have you done a lot. The legacy of your pharmaceutical collection, your world travels, you’ve done a lot of amazing things. You may not think you have much of an impact in today’s world, but you do; because you’ve made an impact on me. I appreciate your time, and truly look forward to continuing this conversation once I get back from tour… That is, if you’d want to?” Bill rolled his wheelchair over to where you are standing and smiled. “Of course son, please stop by soon.” [[End]]

Congratulations! You’ve officially finished your hours at CSLC, changing the lives of the residents and yourself alike. Now is a great time to reflect on the people, and experiences that impacted you the most. Thinking back to the activities that you assisted with and the residents you met and even connected with, you begin to think of your grandmother and feel that you may have a better understanding of what she is going through as she gets older. There are many things that she cannot just go and do anymore which you never thought about before learning so much from being at CSLC. You decide to go and visit your grandmother and help her out more! YAY! Your eclectic persona will be very much missed around the halls of the center, though the journey has not ended. While your “official” volunteering duties are over, you still find time to visit Bill every few weeks to check in on your newest pal.

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