Doris Jaszczak was admitted to the Hospice as an inpatient through our Frailty Service. After being diagnosed with anaemia, Doris had a blood transfusion and experienced health issues ever since. The former Hospice volunteer was heavily involved in our Charlie Chicks campaign and admitted she 'never expected' to be partaking of our services.
Speaking of her involvement with making Charlie Chicks, Doris told us:
"I'm trying to bring my memory back as to where it all started from, as it was quite some time ago. I remember when I started sewing - doing the eyes and beaks, and every chick having to be exactly right, otherwise it wouldn't pass Doris's inspection. So I would make alterations, making sure that the egg fitted - it was important that the egg didn't fall out when in a bowl of fifty other chicks. It was a very important job, but I made it so.
"Then we upped our game a bit and got into making chicks with hats. My friend, Jo Wiffen, was the instigator of that, and she was great. Then I got my daughter-in-law involved as well as she's very good at sewing, much better than me.
"Each year I had a bedroom full of them. There was so many I can't remember the exact number - but there was hundreds and hundreds, and even more hundreds of them!
"I would encourage anyone to get involved. You don't have to make hundreds - just make half a dozen and that will help. I honestly enjoyed the chicks while I was doing them, and there’s also a good social element to it. I made a lot of friends."
When asked about her experience with the Hospice’s new Frailty Service, here’s what Doris said:
"It's marvellous. I only have to call and say "please may I have…" and it appears - and I'm sure that's the same for everyone, not just me. It certainly is a wonderful place. I never expected to be in here, partaking of it. Last Sunday when the lady came up to me in the hospital and asked me if I'd like to come to the Hospice, I said "yes please" and off I went that afternoon. I knew exactly what I would get from the Hospice was care and attention, and I have."
Since receiving personalised care on our Inpatient Unit, we are pleased to say Doris has been discharged to a nearby care home, where she will continue to have access to our services should she need them.
