Chronic Pain Support Group

Do any of you volunteer? Go out of your way to do something for others, without a reward (money, gift exchange, etc.)? If so, when's the last time you have done something for someone else. Even the smallest thing counts!

I had two goals this year.

One was to 'declutter my life'. This meant to get rid of the things in my house I no longer needed. It also meant to get rid of the toxic situations and people in my life. I'm happy to say that I'm being pretty successful with this.

The other goal was to do something for someone else, every week. Unfortunately, I've not been quite as successful with this one. But, I will keep going and maybe I'll have it down by the end of the year....?!

Okay- so this past week- I was selling a small drop-leaf table and an old laptop on Craig's List.

The drop-leaf table... a single mom (total stranger) "really" needed it. She had no way of getting it to her home though. Well, other than putting some of it in the back of her small station-wagon and strapping the rest on the roof. And yes, I'm serious. So, I had my husband load it up, and I delivered it to her. She lived 40 miles away. And believe me, we don't have much money. But geesh! It was the least I could do. - The laptop, I sold for a merely $50 (Note: I only paid $100). There's a lady who owns a tea-room who bought it for an employee who is dirt-poor. Yeah, I know I could have probably gotten $75 for it. But wow! She definitely could get the use out of it. So, between the tea-room owner and myself... we "gave" this young lady a perfectly good laptop.

Oh, while I'm thinking about it (a week or two before)- the town 5 miles north of us had suffered severely from the floods. It was bad enough, they even made national news. Well, we got a Wal-Mart bag and filled it with toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. and I delivered it to the Red Cross Releif that was there to help the flood victims. They were SO appreciative.

So, what have you done lately?! If nothing, it's never too late to start! Maybe take an elderly neighbor to get groceries (my husband does this weekly), send someone a card and put a sheet of stamps in it for them, read to an elementary classroom, etc. There are just SO many things we can do. Even if we're disabled!

This is such a wonderful thread!

That young lady will really enjoy using her laptop and that 40 miles your hubby transported it too was so nice of him too.

The flood victims they need all the help they can get what a nice family you all are.

Our eldest son and girlfriend and little boys all live in an apartment they are still finding there feet paying bills and buying toiletries and although both work after paying rent and everything else doesn't leave much so we buy there groceries its one less worry for them and we know there eating lol its not a forever thing just until they get the hang of it all.

The church we belong too we recently donated a brand new three in one commode our son broke his ankle it was to small for him it never got used rather then take it back to the medical supply store the church was asking has anyone got anything they dont use and that came to mind so it was donated at the same time they were handing out leaflets as you went in asking can you feed a needy family of four for four days well it so happened when I was doing my grocery shopping Ive got all these carts and I'm getting funny stares I had to say "No Its not all for me I'm feeding three families "LOL

so theres my good deeds for now.

There are many small things that you can do for people as well when the chance arises.

Saw a person in a wheelchair trying to reach a product on a high shelf at the grocery store and my mother helped them. Help a neighbor track down a lost dog, my son helped a lady get her hood open when her truck was overheating and showed her how to fix the problem, even opening a door for a stranger can be a big help sometimes.

I volunteer at a nursing home,I go and visit and just chat with the people.There are so many that the family just visits them once in awhile.

I mentor couples along with my wife that are having a hard time dealing with RSD/CRPS.

I take my eldely neighbor grocery shopping.

And lastly during the Holidays I play Santa for day care centers which I truely enjoy.

Other than the regular things I'm sure we all do like rushing ahead to open doors for people with their arms full or the elderly or disabled that type of thing.

I'm helping our daughter and her family out as much as possible because she has a deadbeat ex. who doesn't hold up his end with the children and she's trying to do classes, work and be a single parent to 3 children.

I've also started to visit my cousin, who's Mother recently passed. She's so alone, her in-laws rejected her right after her husband died, now her mother is gone her father died years ago and she has no siblings. She doesn't have anything to occupy her time but her cats. I'd like to get her to do some volunteer work or get a part time job but so far she won't so I visit and take her for lunch as much as possible but she lives an hour away.

Also call my sister regular and try and get up to see her. She's alone and lost her job.

Things like this as much as possible.

Kardie

Kardie your doing such a wonderful job! but be careful dont spread yourself to thin remember your not too well and all the extra worry and all that you are doing could make you worse!

Mike I cant imagine the old folks home not having there Santa or all those delicious cookies you bake at Christmas time your such a dear!

Your so right Lazy

not long after my mother passed away my dad was obviously still grieving his car broke down the tire needed changing the spare was in the back but because of my dad still being not that focused to do this, lucky for him my friends hubby had seen what happened seen my dad was really upset put two and two together told him not to worry he would fix the tire well my dad was so pleased he said it was as if an angel had sent him just at the right time my dad often talked about that time and how much it meant to him.

Post edited by: ladyjane, at: 09/21/2010 06:19 PM

Post edited by: ladyjane, at: 09/21/2010 06:21 PM

I had the best volunteer job working at a local hospital at the same day surgery, receptionist. I loved it and was so disappointed to have lost it when I had the beginning of 2 surgeries. I too having been ending toxic relationships, it is amazing how many you have when you do not feel healthy yourself. I have been clearing my hoiuse but have not sold anything. I give to charity, especially like giving to an organizationthat helps woman have something to wear for a job interview. susan

I have been going to CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center for 3 years. I am a Peer Counslor.I don't have formal training But the training I recieved from CNPRC has been good. The center gives support to women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. We tell of places to go and get help. We also have a Ready on Arrival learning program. Clients earn points to spend at the pantry or on childrens items, they can even get a new crib. They have a web site. I have to include that CNPRC is a Christian faith based, we share Gods love, but are not pushy about it.

My worst habit is giving rides. I did'nt have a car for quite awhile ( because of eplipsy, 25). So I know what it's like to walk in all kinds of weather. I can't help but to offer a stranger a ride, especially if they have children. Once I saw 2 women struggling with a full Toys-r-Us shopping cart in 10 inches of snow, 2 days before Christmas. I offered them a ride and felt like Santa I have been doing this almost 10 years. I have people tell me it's dangeous, but it's to close to my heart to stop.

Post edited by: claphappy, at: 01/13/2011 04:59 PM