Think On These Things - The Gift That Keeps on Giving

 

 

In 2014, I acquired a hospital bed for my ailing father. He was totally bedridden and couldn’t help himself, so everything had to be done for him. It was becoming increasingly difficult to care for him on his regular bed and so my sister suggested that we purchase a hospital bed. My research revealed that the cost at the time was in the range of $200,000.00, which was way out of our reach. After thinking about it a little more, I decided that I would reach out to a reputable charitable organization for help. My first attempt failed as none was available at the time. I was however able to acquire one on rental from another source.

After about two weeks, I received a call from said charitable organization, inviting us to pick up a hospital bed. We were overjoyed as a family and quickly made the arrangements for pick up and in no time, Daddy had his new bed. He was delighted about his new bed and constantly expressed appreciation. Now he could sit up comfortably to have his meals and get a change of position instead of constantly lying down. It was a relief for the family and his caregivers as it was now much easier to care for him.

Sadly, within a year Daddy died. For a few months, the bed remained idle, but not for long.  Soon it was put to use as it embarked on a journey around the island, impacting families who were caring for loved ones who were bedridden, in addition to improving the quality of life of the sick individuals.  It had become the gift that kept on giving.

The first stop was in Santa Cruz St. Elizabeth, at the home of my sister’s mother-in-law, who was ailing.  I can’t recall how long it was used there, but it brought much comfort and relief to that family. When she passed, the bed then made its way to Black River, to my other sister’s church brother. After he passed there was another lull in activities as the bed was returned to our home in Aberdeen, where it remained for a few years, where it was occasionally used when we had extra persons at home.

This changed in this year, 2023, when out of the blue, a friend who I had not seen or spoken to in a while, called me to ask a question. She explained that her sister was ill and bedridden and it was difficult to feed her. She wanted to know if I knew anyone who had a bed that they could borrow or rent for her to use.

I wasted no time in informing her that there was one lying idle at my family home which we could loan to her. We had no use for it at the moment, so it was a pleasure to make it available to someone who needed it. She was overjoyed! The gift was on the move again and this time made its way to Kingston. Again, it proved to be a blessing to the person who was sick who used it until she passed.

In a matter of weeks, there was another inquiry, this time from the opposite end of the island – Westmoreland. So off it went and served the sick person. The family and even her doctors were pleased, but sadly she passed after only a few weeks.

And just when we thought it would be returned to us, there was yet another need in Westmoreland, and at the moment, there is a beneficiary who is being blessed by this gift and whose quality of life is being enhanced in their final days.

This bed has become a ministry as we help other families who are going through what our family experienced back in 2014. What a joy to be able to help others in their time of need! What started out as a request for one family has been extended to several others causing a ripple effect that has been felt from one end of the island to the other.

So, the hospital bed ministry continues, and the gift keeps on giving. Which family will it touch next? Your guess is as good as mine. Only God knows.