Last night I attended the first meeting for the soon to be rolled out Hospice Ambassador program. I'll be one of a small handful of people who will have the opportunity to speak to various groups about Hospice and 'man' the Hospice booth at heath forums and other adventures.

I'll also get to help create the materials for the Hospice marketing department. Ha- that sounds kind of funny... Hospice has a marketing department?

It's true, because no matter what health organization your doctor is with, you can choose which Hospice to work with. Of course, we think we're the best Hospice out there and want to get the word out.

Since I've been a volunteer for three different Hospice organizations, I CAN honestly say that the one I'm with is the best. That's why I came back to this one.

My Hospice is Catholic based, but it wouldn't be evident to a patient (or a volunteer for that matter.) All faiths (or lack of) are supported and honored, which is nice since I'm not Catholic.

Not that there's anything wrong with being Catholic. I'm just not.

The two main differences between this organization and the others that I've worked with are:

1. This one opted out of the "Death With Dignity" Act. I'm personally a big supporter in this Act, but can understand why they opted out since they are faith-based. As a volunteer we're not even supposed to discuss how it works, just simply give a pamphlet with more information. The Hospice health care workers cannot be involved in any way with the act (cannot give the meds, or be in the room when it happens), but can still provide care and comfort to a patient that has made that decision.


2. Our Hospice organization provides less structure and more patient and family guided care. Some Hospice organizations have rigid rules, such as no traveling; you have to have a DNR and other restrictive policies. My organization believes that everyone is different and respects that.

I'll be a good representative for Hospice in general because I tend to evangelize about it anyhow, but it's nice to be connected to an organization that cares for people the way I'd want to be cared for. The management feel like family to me and they seem like family to each other. It's unique to any other organization I've been with.

I'm looking forward to the next journey, especially the public speaking piece. I've always wanted to be a public speaker but didn't really know which topic I was passionate about enough to invest my energy. This one just fell in my lap, as most things have these days.