Therapy with a youthful touch

Teen volunteers pitch in to help rehab patients

When the clock strikes four on most afternoons, people in Kalispell Regional Medical Hospital's inpatient rehabilitation facility slowly begin making their way down the hall.

Some take slow, faltering steps, clutching a staff member's hand for support. Others roll along in wheelchairs, propelled by the chair's motor or another staff member.

They've been in the hospital anywhere from a few days to several weeks, forced there by a stroke, a brain injury or some other traumatic event that has stolen their ability to care for themselves.

They spend their days recuperating, resting and slowly regaining their motor skills in occupational and physical therapy sessions.

It's hard work. But when 4 p.m. rolls around, it's time to play.

That's when the Volunteens arrive.

For the last 17 years, local high school students have volunteered their time, usually one day a week, at the hospital, helping the people in inpatient rehab with recreation therapy.

Amos Chon, a student at Flathead Valley Community College, and recent Flathead High School graduates Matt Madieros and Zach Heskett spent Wednesday afternoons at the hospital during the school year.

The day's activities changed from week to week.

Sometimes they helped patients play board games. Sometimes Chon brought his cello, Madieros brought his guitar and the two put on an impromptu concert.

Chon is a longtime volunteer; he started helping at the hospital five years ago at his mother's suggestion.

"Back then, I was full-time home school," he said. "She wanted me to get some social interaction and some volunteer time."

Chon thought it would look good on college applications, so he agreed. This year, he was recognized for his years of service by being named Volunteen of the Year.

Madieros first heard about the program in the school's morning announcements. Volunteens works with Flathead and Glacier high schools to get the word out, program coordinator and recreational therapist Sue Crawford explained.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity," said Madieros, who wants to go into the medical field. He told Heskett about the program, and the two volunteered at the hospital throughout their last two years at Flathead.

The best thing about Volunteens, the boys agreed, is watching the patients' weekly improvements.

"I remember one patient with a bad spinal-cord injury," Madieros said. "When we first met, he couldn't move his arms. But as each week progressed, you could see improvement."

The Volunteens play an important role in that improvement, Crawford said.

Students help patients make decisions when playing board games. They might help a patient manipulate a game piece or hold a hand of cards. On Thursdays - pet therapy days - teens might help a patient pet a dog or throw a ball.

Volunteens aren't supposed to do everything for the patients, recent Flathead graduate Rebecka Bergborn said, but it isn't easy to watch them struggle.

"You can't always help them if they need help," she said. "They're supposed to do it themselves."

One thing Volunteens can always do is listen, sophomore Janie Tikka said.

"It seems like they kind of always want someone to listen to them," she said.

"When they were younger, they had lots of friends, but now that they're older, there aren't a lot of people to talk to."

Volunteens benefit, too, Crawford said.

"A lot of them have grown up with computer games and video games," she said. "When they come and relate with the patients, I think they realize the importance of socialization and interaction."

For many students, Volunteens is the first experience in a lifetime of medical service. Several go into medical fields, and many have ended up working at Kalispell Regional, Crawford said.

"It's just a great introduction to these young people," she said.

Volunteens only runs during the school year, so new would-be volunteers must wait until fall to apply. Applications are available at Flathead and Glacier from the school nurses.

Home-school students and youths from other high schools are welcome to apply as well, Crawford said. For more information contact her at 756-4725.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.