Norwood 1

DeVaughn Norwood Senior Project Parker 3/3/11 Reflection Paper In todays society, we see a grand ignorance of the many issues and difficulties that the elderly face: seemingly non-existent healthcare coverage, loneliness, and the blatant disrespect shown towards them. In that era most commonly known as the Old School, it was a common practice for the younger generations to respect the elderly, not simply because their parents instructed them to do so, but because they realized the wisdom that they possess. They realized that it was those same elderly people who marched and fought for their rights, freedoms, and privileges. It was those same people who made the very mistakes and the very acts of valiance by which we, as a newer society, learn. Therefore, I chose to volunteer at the National Health Center, helping the elderly and, all the while, learning from their unmatched wisdom. While there, I was under the supervision of Mrs. Rachel Simmons. Mrs. Simmons heads the Activities Department, which also involves the Volunteering program. Mrs. Simmons began as a volunteer herself, beginning in her senior year of high school. She soon found that she thoroughly enjoyed the experience, work load, and the easy congruity among her and her coworkers. Prior to this project and volunteering at NHC, I have obtained several skills that have prepared me and served me well for volunteering at NHC. Before the ninth grade, my grandmother always had several older friends in the house. They came to talk and gossip, to drink, eat and cook, or to get their hair done. During these visits, I was becoming more and more amicable towards the elderly, sympathizing for their pains and struggles, the many injustices thrust upon them. It was even during these visits that I, unbeknownst of me, obtained medical knowledge of several things. I was given opportunities to help

Norwood 2

them with administering medicine and even giving massages. I also learned how to speak appropriately to them. I learned that they deserve and even expect a certain level of respect, veneration, honor, dignity, and a bit of love. But, all in all, the grandest thing that I learned during the visits was that, more than anything, they simply want someone to talk to. Often times, their families place them in a home and soon after, abandon them, leaving them in the care of the facility in which they now reside. They began to feel lonely and that no one cared about them. They want people to know that, although they may be older and wrinkly and they may look funny, sick and lost some motor control, they are the exact same person they were 30 years ago. They dont want to feel out of place. They simply want someone to show them a bit of attention and love and support. At the outset of this project, I originally wanted to focus it on the decline of the Arts in our educational system. I desired to discover why the Arts programs were being extracted from the core curriculum. The Arts have such a grand impact and influence on the normal classes; why cut them? Therefore, I decided to contact a local music business that would not mind having me as a student volunteer. However, no one in the entire Chattanooga region phonebook wanted to take me on or had not even returned my phone calls and emails. So, for a while, I was simply wandering, waiting for an opportunity to complete my Senior Project. Soon, I was told that I could volunteer at a nursing home or a food kitchen. Thus I contacted NHC, National Health Care, and they had no problem or issue with allowing me to complete the project. I discovered that procrastination is not key nor is it ideal. I had, at first, wallowed in self-pity and waited for a chance to come. Yet, after I began to complete this project, I learned how to be assertive and to take opportunities at the first chance when they present themselves. I learned to take precaution with each detail of my life, including school, work, and home. Even at the last minute, I learned that not everybody is out to see me fail. There are people who will take extra steps to see me prevail. I learned to be exceedingly grateful. After the difficulties I faced when striving to complete this project, I found that I have a propensity for slacking up and getting lazy when I have to complete things that I dont necessarily care to

Norwood 3

do. I found that I can become very irritable with the very people who are taking time that could be used for others to help me succeed. I discovered that I can cause unnecessary stress to befall me because I did not complete things in a timely fashion. I also discovered that I have certain easily accessible faculties that can aid me to complete things infallibly. I discovered that I have great patience when I take the time to complete the task at hand, and that I can complete it without err. I found that I can be exceptionally willing to learn new things. I cannot say that this project has brought nothing but turmoil when I weigh the odds. Its not something that I can blame for my inabilities. Its not at all to fault. Through the duration of this experience with the Senior Capstone Project, I found that this has helped me tremendously to unearth and center my positive attributes. This project, as a whole, has benefited me and has taught me several qualities that will aid me in becoming a teacher one day. I find that, at certain times, I may get discouraged and lose the will to keep going forth, but, without doubt, I have begun to cultivate many qualities and traits that can do nothing but only serve to help me.