A 'Loving Hug' from Chaplain David Oravec, and Loving Hugs, Inc.!

"BEAR POWER

(Chaplain David Oravec, CDR – Command Chaplain USNS COMFORT)

When patients arrive on the flight deck of the USNS Comfort they are carried into the ship by strong sailors and taken to a waiting elevator as quickly as possible. Several decks down is an area of the ship called Casualty Receiving (CASREC) which is much like a huge emergency room. In that area, there are doctors, nurses, corpsmen, technicians, chaplains and many others standing ready to provide help for Haitians in need. When the CASREC elevator doors open, the team springs into action, offering the best of care for those hurt in the catastrophic earthquake.

In a box in the corner of CASREC there is something else that has proven an effective communicator of love, comfort, and solace to our littlest guests. In this box, there are stuffed animals: bears, tigers, lions, ducks—you name it—and they come in all colors!

As a matter of course, at just the right time after the children have arrived, one of the staff thoughtfully picks the perfect one and gives it to these precious children who are usually hurting, upset, and afraid.

There is no need for words to be spoken in these moments. A gift is given and received and a message is communicated: “we care, we love you, we are here to help.” I’ve witnessed the power of stuffed bears, monkeys and giraffes in CASREC. I looked in on a wounded boy asleep with his new lion. I’ve watched children hugging their soft puppy dogs as they’re headed into the operating room and, yes, I’ve also said farewell to them in the discharge process as they leave the Comfort en route to an orphanage with a new cast, a tiny cane, and a fuzzy teddy bear as their friend. I pray that many years from now they will look at their animals under happier circumstances and be reminded that their friends from America came to help. I pray for that new day in Haiti and until it comes the Comfort will bring healing and bear power to those in need."

In a follow-up email on January 26, 2010 from Chaplain Oravec, he shared this beautiful observation with me that I thought you would also enjoy! 

"I had another "teddy bear moment" today.

We had a boy-- maybe 12- maybe 13-- arrived at CASREC. He seemed to be right on the edge of being too old for a stuffed animal but I will always err on the side of grace. So, I fished out a little ram.

Coming into CASREC he was withdrawn, hurting-- seemed to have a sadness that many of our patients have. I handed him the ram-- he gave me a shy smile. I looked in on him later as they were moving his broken leg (which is a painful thing)--- the whole time he gently petted his new little furry friend. Beautiful!

Can't thank you enough. GB, GBH, GBA.

Warm Regards,

Dave+

Aka- Chaps"

Feeling some warm fuzzy loving hugs yet?

Sent with hugs of gratitude to all who are working so diligently to help the people in need around the world, and helping Loving Hugs, Inc. to accomplish our mission for these precious children who need comforting!

Sincerely,

Wendy L. Clark

Executive Director,

Loving Hugs, Inc.

www.lovinghugs.org

Facebook Fan Page: Loving Hugs, Inc.

Facebook Cause Page: Support Loving Hugs, Inc.!