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Camillus House News
Abandon hurt all who enter here; we offer you healing.
by Dr. Paul R. Ahr
Before and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, that they be served in very truth as Christ is served, because He hath said, “I was sick and you visited Me” (Mt 25:36) . And “as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me” (Mt 25:40). But let the sick themselves also consider that they have served for the honor of God, and let them not grieve their brethren who serve them by unnecessary demands. These must, however, be patiently borne with, because from such as these a more bountiful reward is gained. Let the Abbot’s greatest concern, therefore, be that they suffer no neglect.
-The Rule of St. Benedict Chapter XXXVI: Of the Sick Brethren
The Rule of St. Benedict, written in about 530 A.D., concisely summarizes the Gospel injunction to care for sick persons. Last Lent (February 28, 2008) we reviewed the excellent physical health, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs provided by Camillus Health Concern (CHC) and Camillus House’s Institute of Social and Personal Adjustment (ISPA). Since its establishment in January 2007, the Camillus Courtyard has been a major portal of entry into our health, mental health and substance abuse services, and for the past two years, Camillus Health Concern has staffed a full service clinic at Camillus’ main shelter. RNs, ARNPs and physicians serve patients in our medical respite beds and provide ambulatory care to Courtyard clients and guests.
Life on the streets is an unhealthy life.
When you live on the street, Marshall tells us,” if you’re hurt or you’re sick, you bear with it. It’s a miserable feeling. You have to live with the aches and pains.” When the hurt hurts too much, Mike says, “you call 911. I broke my foot doing an odd painting job and had to walk on it for two days until it got too bad. Then I called 911.” Angel observes that, “when you are homeless, you’re more likely to get sick. You’re laying down in places where people have gotten sick or worse. Doctor’s don’t want to see you because you have no insurance. When you’re on the street you develop a don’t care attitude.” Shelter-based nursing staff report that once under our care, Courtyard guests and clients report serious and chronic medical conditions that they never experienced before, perhaps because they self-medicated with drugs or alcohol while living on the streets.
ealing body, mind and spirit.
The most outstanding feature of our staff is their concern for our patients, clients and guests. Mike, who is in a respite bed, credits Dr. Hiriart and the other medical staff for the comprehensiveness and competence of their caring:
When you hit her door the nurse asks, “How are you feeling today? Have you had this [test or procedure] done?” They don’t focus on one perspective. Pat [Forde] went out of her way; she went to Fred [Mims] and went the extra mile to make sure I got into [substance abuse] treatment. She remembered I had a Court date. They remember what you tell them. Even if you don’t want the help, they’ll push it. There is a lot of compassion. They spend time with you.
Medical staff, ISPA staff, Courtyard staff and especially the Brothers are lauded for their competence, availability, flexibility and concern. “Father Sam looks like he never goes home. I always see him talking with the homeless,” Angel reports. The same sentiments are related about Brother Bill and Brother Charles. “All Mr. Mims has to do is walk through [the Courtyard] and he’ll have 100 people to talk to,” Angel adds. William says, “You have staff you can talk to who help you relax your mind. Talking to the counselors – Patricia Rodriguez, Susan Cottle-Gooden, Mr. Mims – you get a way to focus, getting your mind straight and body straight. They help you get up on your feet. They will give you strength enough to walk. They give it to you straight.” For Marshall, “You may not get well [right away], but the healing starts here. You can’t get that anywhere else. They won’t run out on you, and you get the psychological part. You will be accepted; they show you here that they care.”
Every day it is an honor for me to work alongside our CHC and ISPA clinicians who, in addition to mastering the sciences of healing, have mastered the art of caring.
