In honour of National Palliative Care Week, we are shining a light on our amazing Visiting Home Hospice volunteer, Christine Wing. Her dedication to providing comfort and support to clients like Isabelle Phillips is truly inspiring. Here’s her story in her own words…

Why I am a Visiting Home Hospice Volunteer

The sound of silence, with only a far away hint of a laughing, happy Mom and Dad. Their child with special needs is safe in the hands of a caring Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice Visiting Home Hospice volunteer. She is calm, quietly focused and engaged in her new favourite activity.

Finally! Mom and Dad get a few badly needed hours of respite, and their child is happy, safe, challenged and adored by a carer in her home. That is what I hoped for, and appreciate as a Visiting Home Hospice volunteer.

When I was first volunteering in house at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, I quickly became overwhelmed at the depths of the needs of our special children and the demands placed on extremely worried, exhausted and overwhelmed parents. I longed to know each child better and to help them achieve their full potential. I felt I needed to do more for both the child and the family!

When asked if I’d like to volunteer for the Visiting Home Hospice, I was initially a little concerned because I know that I do tend to fall in love with children easily. I wondered, “Could I keep myself within professional boundaries?”

I have found this to be a very rewarding mission. My goal is to help the parents while keeping the child safe and having fun and I believe that most of my visits do that. My child happily greets me as I come through the door, her parents chat with me, then they quickly retreat. Mission accomplished!

Oh yes, I did quickly fall in love… but that’s ok. Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice has taught me how to do that while still being able to say good night and go home…until my next visit.

By Christine Wing, Visiting Home Hospice Volunteer, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice