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A 94-year-old VON client is singing the praises of the volunteer driver who delivered her safely to and from her eye doctor’s appointment. Ruth has retinitis pigmentosa, a chronic hereditary eye disease characterized by black pigmentation and gradual degeneration of the retina. She also has hearing deficits, making excursions outside her home challenging and potentially unsafe. 

After her appointment, Ruth reached out to Crystal Allen, program coordinator, Nova Scotia Community Support Services, Annapolis Valley, to say that she felt safe and comfortable with volunteer driver Don.

“She told me that Don took her arm and she felt so safe, and when they arrived at the appointment he handed her off to the waiting staff and told her he would be waiting exactly where she left him,” says Crystal.

Don had been a VON client himself, visiting VON’s community nursing clinic in New Minas daily for a month for wound care following surgery. Don noticed a poster on the clinic wall seeking volunteers. “I spent 40 years in the military and I just want to serve,” Don says. “I was going to the VON clinic appointments for myself and thought who better to serve than the company that helped me. I applied that day.”

“I was really, really pleased with the care I got from the nurses every day,” Don adds. “The treatment I got was second to none. So that's one of the reasons why I said I'll give back to them.”

VON depends on our many dedicated volunteers to help provide services to clients like Ruth. Don began volunteering in September, driving clients to essential medical and social appointments—an important resource for improving health and reducing social isolation.

“Being retired military makes Don perfect for this role,” Crystal says. “He’s very reliable, punctual and committed to serving the community. He’s also a terrific defensive driver with safety being a high priority. And he’s very respectful and professional with the clients.”

Ruth, who was a primary school teacher for 33 years, also receives VON personal care and housekeeping services. Although she is mobile and feeling well, about four years ago her doctor advised her that it was time to seek help when she began having anxiety about bathing safely with limited vision.

She is also a graduate of the CAPABLE program, which VON delivers in partnership with Nova Scotia’s Department of Seniors and Long-term Care and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She says her assigned VON nurse was a strong advocate, advising her to reach out for further resources.

Ruth started in the transportation program about a year ago. “The VON drivers have been a godsend,” she says. There is no taxi service in her small town, and family members aren’t always available. Although she has had several VON drivers, all of them kind, she felt compelled to reach out and praise Don because her appointment took much longer than expected. “He was more than kind,” she says. “He did not heave a big sigh. I couldn’t believe how patient he was. Very kind and very professional.”

Ruth says she’s a big advocate of VON and of people getting help when they need it—both professional and neighbourly help. She says Don and the VON team are now part of her surrogate family. 

“How fortunate I am I can have help,” she adds. “Because of VON coming and taking me where I need to go medically, I’m fine.” She hopes that others won’t hesitate to reach out when they need help. “It may only be an arm and gradually VON will come and give you personal care.”

For his part, Don says, “You couldn't ask for a better place to go to get care than VON.” For those looking to volunteer, he adds, “Get out there, go work for them. Volunteer with them—they need the help.”