People who take initiative figure out how to do things on their own. And that’s exactly the case for Reva Dolobowsky and her current volunteer role as the warm welcoming face of the Amyloidosis Center at Boston Medical.
Dolobowsky’s husband, who had just been diagnosed with the rare disease amyloidosis (AL), was at the hospital for tests to determine the extent of his illness. Severe amyloidosis can lead to life-threatening organ failure, and there’s no cure.
The whole scenario Dolobowsky details in this article is a high anxiety scene:
The unknowns…
The fears…
With a host of amyloidosis symptoms to consider, I can only imagine this couple’s circumstances.
I can visualize this couple sitting in the waiting room and hoping for a distraction to it all. And then, they find comfort from a predictable source— a sweet young child. This child played and roamed the waiting room bringing smiles and peace to others.
As Dolobowsky watched this small boy bring cheer to others, she had an epiphany—patients and family sitting in the waiting room could benefit from an individual who could lighten the mood and make the whole experience less frightening.
Instead of waiting to be told exactly how to do something, Dolobowsky takes the initiative to solve the problem that many patients have:
- a need for a caring listening ear,
- a need for a kind face and gentle conversation,
- and a need for settling fears.
We can all learn a lesson from Dolobowsky: Be creative and think outside the box. Challenge yourself to find the information on your own and figure things out for yourself. In the end, you will be glad you did.
