Day 163 to 180 – The First Aid Course

Last week I attended my three yearly First Aid refresher course as part of my respite carer’s accreditation. As with most courses I could not wait until it ended … same old, same old!!! …I thought.

A few days later I was at an event in London when a lady collapsed in the car park. She was surrounded by about five people who appeared to have the situation under control. I walked over to the group, probably just being nosey as usual, and noticed that women appeared to be unconscious and had a nasty cut to her head. The ‘First Aiders’ had her on her back, one was lifting her legs up, while another was trying to get water down her … this women was unconscious with a head wound!!

I asked the question of the group “Is anyone first aid trained here?” A stony silence then, “No, but are you?”

Well, I immediately got to work checking her breathing, putting her into the recovery position, ensuring an ambulance had been called and monitoring her condition; as I gave her some reassuring words as she was drifting in and out of consciousness.

It was a great feeling helping this lady, but I can't help but think I need to change my attitude towards First Aid refresher courses in the future ... :-)

Other opportunities to render aid over the past few weeks have included:

1 x Gave my tie to a friend … he said he liked it!
1 x Gave First Aid to a collapsed female
16 x Gave cash to a charity
8 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
103 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
9 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
3 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone
3 x Voluntary work within the Community
17 x Held the door open for someone
1 x Helped someone pick-up some mess they had made.
12 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels
1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller
3 x Gave cash to a street beggar
1 x Treated a friend to lunch
2 x Cut neighbours lawn
3 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been

Sub total: 186
Running total: 1737

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^thNovember 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that

Day 153 to 162 – Trainspotting

Whilst travelling home from Birmingham on the train today I spotted a man and a woman both of whom had the looks and behaviours of having Down Syndrome. They appeared to be a ‘couple’ and sat there eating their lunch. She was as ‘cute as a button’ and he was very trendy with his designer stubble and long dark hair. Both were smartly dressed and sat in silence as they opened their sandwiches and their drinks; keeping themselves very much to themselves.

As the man opened his drink the bubbles shot out all over the table and he quickly screwed the cap back on and began to laugh. His beautiful companion joined in the laughter as they surveyed the mess that had been caused by his exploding fizzy drink. They both got some tissues and began cleaning up the mess. As the soggy tissues mounted up I offered to put them in the bin for them, for which he thanked me.

I then became part of the clean-up operation as they both wiped-up all the liquid from the table. Having achieved their objective I could see that the man’s hands were sticky and offered him a ‘wet-one’, for which he was grateful.

Once all clean and tidy they resumed eating their lunch together. They were obviously in love and obviously found the whole incident highly amusing.

It was a joy for me to witness this tender moment and an even greater joy to be of service to them.

Other opportunities I had to serve people this week included:

8 x Gave cash to a charity

1 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger

78 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
3 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood

6 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone

3 x Voluntary work within the Community
4 x Held the door open for someone
1 x Helped someone pick-up some broken glass they had dropped.
4 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Did some DIY for someone in need
4 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller

2 x Gave my place in a queue to someone

1 x Gave cash to a street beggar

1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
1 x Treated a friend to lunch
1 x Gave someone a written job reference
1 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been

Sub total: 123

Running total: 1551

Target: 3000+ in 12 months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 145 to 152 – “I’m So Glad I Went to Church”

This weekend my Church held its semi-annual Stake Conference in Coventry. Whilst sitting in the congregation, listening to some inspiring and uplifting talks, someone passed me their mobile phone on which was a text message from a young family from our Church in Banbury.

The message stated that this family had caught a coach to Conference and whilst travelling the baby had been violently sick over all their clothes. They were in such a state that they had decided just to go home; as they were no condition to sit for two hours in a conference hall. After further clarification I ascertained they were still sitting in a waiting room at Coventry Railway Station waiting for a train.

I immediately grabbed my coat, left the conference centre and made my way to the railway station. I found a bedraggled, miserable and cold family in a waiting room on one of the platforms. I packed them into my car and, as they warmed themselves, took them safely back to their home in Banbury.

I’m so glad I went to Conference.

Other opportunities given to me to serve this week have included:

4 x Gave cash to a charity

5 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger

24 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
6 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood

6 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone

1 x Visited with a family in need of company and friendship

1 x Voluntary work within the Community
1x Rescued a stranded family
5 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Did some DIY for someone in need
2 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

Sub total: 58

Running total: 1428

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 142 to 144 – A Tale of Two Cities

Whilst driving through Buckingham today I was watching an elderly couple walking along the side of the road. They came across a piece of plastic which had been dropped on the ground. The gentleman bent down and picked up the rubbish and put it in a bin.

Whilst in Milton Keynes Shopping Centre I watched three lads looking at some merchandise on display. One of the items fell to the ground and one of the lads simply kicked it under the display stand.

I’m not going to judge anyone for what they did or didn’t do, but one event lifted my spirits and the other did not. It reminded me that we never know who is watching us and who will be inspired by the things we do; or don’t do!

Hopefully a few of these events have lifted someone’s Spirit:

2 x Gave cash to a charity

1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller

1 x Gave a big smile to a stranger

1 x Held the door open for someone
29 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
1 x Gave respite care to a family by looking after Harry
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display

2 x Used my umbrella to keep someone dry

Sub total: 38

Running total: 1370

Target: 3000+ in 12months



Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 131 to 141 – Just One Foot In Front of the Other

Sometimes life is simply a case of putting one foot in front of the other. Nothing extraordinary has happened to me over the past ten days, just a sense of quiet wellbeing in making other people’s life that little bit better.

The last ten days have given me the following opportunities:

11 x Gave cash to a charity

1 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin-men had been
3 x Held the door open for someone
1 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
51 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver

2 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

6 x Voluntary work within the Community
1 x Gave my seat to another passenger on the train
1 x Went out for a curry and paid the bill for my friend
3 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
4 x Cut neighbours lawn
2 x Gave a cheery hello/good morning to a stranger/neighbour

Sub total: 86

Running total: 1332

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

 Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 115 to 130 – The Little Arab Boy

I have just recently got back from having a wonderful trip to Israel. The country is beautiful, from the rich green land in the north to the desert wilderness in the south.  
As with the difference in the geography, so it is with the people. The massive gulf between the rich and the poor is so stark and evident wherever you go.

Whilst I was in Bethany my group were approached by a round face, rather cute, Arab boy. He must have been about five or six. He took hold of the water bottle I was carrying and began to wrestle it out of my grasp. Initially I found the situation humorous, but I then realised he was forcibly taking the bottle from me. I released my hold on the bottle and he immediate went to another member of my group and did the same. Unfortunately for the boy, this tourist wasn’t so keen to let go of the bottle she was holding. I suggested that we all give-up our water bottles to the boy. He was then able to collect four or five bottles from us, put them in a pile on the path and then went looking for more tourists.

His behaviour was at best ‘aggressive’ begging and at worst minor robbery. I can only imagine the circumstances that boy has to live in to resort to that sort of behaviour. I fear that his cute looks will not last long and his current tactics of getting bottles of water of people will end up in him getting hurt.

Before I left the boy I tried to talk with him. I got down on my knees and looked him in the face and tried to let him know that someone cared. I'm not sure he understood me, but I felt a calm and peaceful feeling between us as I spoke.

Other acts of kindness included:

7x Gave cash to a charity

5 x Gave cash to a street beggar

7 x Struck-up a cheery conversation with a stranger

1 x Gave a big smile to a stranger

1 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin-men had been
4 x Held the door open for someone
1 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
19 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver

5 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

2 x Voluntary work within the Community
5 x Looked after a person in need

Sub total: 57

Running total: 1246

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 108 to 114 – Harry’s Game!

Before I update my activities can I first thank Maxine for her kind words and support. After 114 days is so good to know people are still being influenced by the Blog … thank you. xx 
 

This week I took Harry Tenpin bowling. Harry simply loves bowling and, to be fair, he is very good at it. Most of the games we play are close, but my competitive streak means I do my very best to beat him; which I usually do.

Anyway, this week I met my Alamo big time as he ‘took me to the cleaners’. He played brilliantly; and didn’t he know it! He had the biggest smile on his face and said the word ‘Happy’ over and over gain.

 It appears that Harry also has a competitive streak …. well done mate!

This week’s other ‘Strikes!’ included:

4x Gave cash to a charity

1x Gave Respite Care to Harry

1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller

1 x Gave cash to a street beggar

1 x Struck-up a cheery conversation with a stranger

1 x Gave a big smile to a stranger

1 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin-men had been
4 x Held the door open for someone
4 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
73 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver

2 x Voluntary work at the local medical centre

1 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

2 x Voluntary work with the local Community Association
1 x Did some DIY for someone in need
1 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood

Sub total: 98

Running total: 1189

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”