Day of Caring helps Institute Sparkle
A volunteer helps to repaint the parking lot near the Main Street entrance.
Ameristar Members and their families help out at a Day of Caring.
More than 40 volunteers gave of their time and talents to brighten up the Institute as part of United Way?s Annual Day of Caring. Team members from Ameristar Casino and McCray Lumber along with their family's pitched in to perform a variety of odd jobs to improve the appearance of our facility — inside and out. Volunteers restriped our visitor parking lots, cleaned windows, painted interior and exterior areas, trimmed shrubs, swept parking lots and deep cleaned program areas. In short, they came, they conquered and now we sparkle.
Thank you volunteers!
Ameristar Team Members pose after volunteering at the Institute and enjoying a barbecue.
A Volunteer's Passion "Touches" Lives
Dr. Carl Jelley massages Linda Khadavi's hands during a massage session.
For 21 years, Dr. Carl Jelley was an orthopedic surgeon. After retiring in 1999, Carl heard about an opportunity to volunteer as a sports massage therapist at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Carl took this as a unique chance to participate in a worldwide event.
Carl was disappointed to learn that he would need a 500 hour massage course to participate. Although he didn't make it to the Olympics, Carl decided to pursue a degree in massage therapy so he would be prepared for volunteer opportunities at future games.
One day, a little over a year ago, Carl was on his way to Crown Center and passed by the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City. He immediately thought his past experience as an orthopedic surgeon and his new massage therapy degree could be of benefit to the patients at the Rehabilitation Institute.
"When I passed by the Rehabilitation Institute that day, I thought that this would be the place for me to use what I had learned and actually help people. I decided when I retired that I only wanted to do things that would make me happy — I knew that this would make me happy," said Carl.
Carl started volunteering at the Institute in the summer of 2005. He began by providing therapeutic massage to individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. He now gives massages to an average of 8-13 patients a week who have experienced spinal cord injuries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries or problems related to their disabilities?such as sore necks and shoulders from extended wheelchair use or poor blood circulation. "One of the things that made Carl such a great find is his medical background," said Occupational Therapist Lynn Heley-Ford. "We feel confident in his abilities because he is a retired orthopedic surgeon. He understands what a person's diagnosis means to their body and how to address specific issues related to each individual."
Carl works on Linda's shoulder to help with rotator cuff problems.
Carl believes that one of the hardest things to get used to, when starting therapy, is being touched and moved by someone else. He believes that being massaged, which most people enjoy, helps patients become accustomed quicker to the rehabilitation therapy sessions. Carl tries to base his massages on what would be best for the individual patient. He works to complement the therapy they receive.
"Therapists will seek Carl out to work with specific patients. Carl is a wonderful adjunct to the services that we provide. He is very open to working with a wide variety of patients. He is open to learning all of the different aspects of different patients' medical conditions," said Sara Baker, Community Integration Supervisor.
Some patients become so relaxed during massages they fall asleep — some start snoring. Carl takes this as a compliment. It means that he is doing his job as a massage therapist and the patients are doing their job — they are relaxing enough to receive the full benefit of the massage.
"To me, a good massage depends on two things. The person giving the massage and the person getting the massage. The first real massage a person gets will almost always be the worst; people aren't used to the feeling, once a person learns to relax, a massage is a wonderful thing," said Carl.
One patient that Carl works with regularly is Linda Khadavi. Linda became paralyzed when an abscess formed on her spine. She has lost most of the feeling in her legs but she can still feel his massaging hands.
"At first, it was a weird feeling. I could feel his hands but not the massage. Now I'm feeling the massage, it really helps with muscles that I can't stretch myself," said Linda, "If I get massages after I work out, it really relaxes my tired muscles. If I get one before I work out, it definitely helps with circulation and gets rid of tension and makes me much more eager to exercise."
Carl's hands can work wonders on a sore back or neck. A problem that many wheelchair users experience.
In addition to volunteering at the Rehabilitation Institute two days a week, Carl also teaches four water aerobics classes three days a week. "I'm in the best shape of my life. I have never felt better. I know that this is because not only am I helping people but I am doing something that I love," said Carl.
"Carl has really become a part of our family. He eats lunch with some of our patients, does crossword puzzles with them. You can tell that he really has genuine interest in what happens here," said Sara.
Carl's friendly nature and warm and caring touch make him a perfect fit at the Rehabilitation Institute.
To help touch the lives of others, like Carl does, click here.
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