My name is Bobby Luga. I am a hospice/ adult care volunteer here at Dixon Correctional Center which is two part program. The hospice part is essentially helping a patient/inmate who has been diagnosed as terminally ill to live out their final days as comfortably as possible, both physically and emotionally. The goal is to make sure no one dies alone. The adult care part of the program includes assisting inmates who can’t physically or mentally care for themselves on a daily basis.
When I first started working in the program, I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I wanted to help those in need. While going through the training, I was asked to partake in activities that never in my life had I imagined I would be doing, like changing a stranger’s diaper or giving him a bath. I didn’t know if I could handle the smells or the intimate interactions with other inmates that came along with such duties, then I met some of the patients. I saw how the medical and security staff treated these guys and I realized that the need for a caring hand, a genuinely caring hand, was greater than I could have possibly imagined. I did my best to treat every patient with as much respect and patience as I could muster up while caring for them.
A new world opened up to me. The patients started to trust me, to trust that I ‘d act in their best interests. I received smiles, “please” and “thank you’s” out of guys who I didn’t know knew these words. I certainly rarely ever heard them use these terms with staff members, but this became the norm with me. The looks of exasperation turned to hope. I was having an effect on these guy’s lives, a power effect. Little did they know they were having an equally powerful effect on me.
I became motivated to want to do more to try to get through to the more “difficult” patients. When that moment finally happened, it was like a phoenix rising. The glaze over in their eyes subsides and their personalities began to shine through and, at times, they’d perk up in bed when they’d hear my voice. What I find especially rewarding is the physical therapy work with patients. Every physical breakthrough was a moment of pride for me. When someone who is diagnosed as a paraplegic took their first step, I would feel like a proud papa. Months and months of hard work on their part would finally pay off. Other patients became motivated to try and do more by watching me work with a patient. It was like they had awaken from a coma.
The program here is set up as a nursing home type of environment, and an infirmary setting where there is a need for around the clock care. The nursing home type environment is where guys are housed who may not necessarily get around well, but can still do many things for themselves. I work almost primarily in the infirmary setting. The hospice program is essentially vital in this situation because many of the “professionals” don’t care to put in effort that is necessary to provide “caring ” care. It is necessary to be patient and go the extra mile to make someone who is battling a life threatening illness feel as comfortable as they can be during their time of need. It is also important to make someone feel human in an environment where many are treated just like animals. The “coma” I mentioned earlier can exist in this environment very easily because these are the moments when patients are especially needy. It is the norm for many of the “professionals” in this environment to just want to get their job done and go home. After all, “it’s just a job,” but the patients suffer. This is also where a hospice volunteer is afforded the privilege to make life-altering change, and where the training we received kicks in to help us develop the ability to act with compassion and empathy. This is why the program is so important.
The care provided by hospice /adult care volunteers is essential to improve the quality of life for many patients, and it also affects the quality of life for the volunteer, or at least it has mine. I take pride in doing this work. This opportunity is, after all, a privilege and an opportunity to make real life change happen in a positive way within an environment that breeds the opposite. The program has taught me patience, respect, compassion and empathy. Ideally, a program like this would not be necessary in any setting, especially in a corrections environment. Until the “professionals” in this environment treat others how they ‘d like to be treated in the same environment, the need for this program will never subside. If there is a bright side to the neglect of patients, it is that it provides an opportunity for someone like me to do truly meaningful work.
Bobby Luga R-25652 – Dixon C.C. – 12/11/18
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