So, I’m Doing This Thing
But it’s a secret
Here’s the deal. I pitched a new healthcare initiative idea to a local, small, not-for-profit hospital. I’ve gotten a preliminary yes. It is now being pushed on up the food chain. Me not being one to sit around and twiddle my thumbs…
I turn the big 6–0 on March 29. If any of you are on Facebook you know that when your birthday rolls around you’ll get a prompt asking if you’d like to name a charity for friends and family to donate to for your big day.
I’ve set it up for all contributions to go to the hospital. They do great work and have managed to not only keep me alive but get my health turned around after ‘that other place’ nearly killed me no less than three times last year! It was one of their people that discovered I had Hashimoto’s. It was one of their people who told me that not only was I anemic but had been for the last several blood tests over the course of several months.
That’s just two examples. They don’t cut corners by only hiring nurses. Don’t get me wrong. Nurses are vital to the healthcare community but let’s face it. They don’t have the extensive training of a doctor, let alone a specialist, let alone a surgeon. Two of my doctors are all of those things. I firmly believe that’s why I’m finally getting better.
I put my money where my mouth is
Last year I was notified by Chicken Soup for the Soul that they were buying one of my stories. YAY! When I found out that one story equaled $250 I already knew what I was going to do. One of my docs offices had a picnic issue. The staff had a picnic table that finally rotted out and had to be hauled away. With the $250 it was more than enough to not only replace the table but to get a redwood stain and brushes etc. to finish it. So I did.
I found out that the same office had a wish list. It included equipment for patients that come to visit the office. So, I filled that list. One wheelchair, two walkers (tennis balls too), and a couple of quad canes later they were over the moon with joy! It made my heart sing to see such happy faces. Again, the timing had been impeccable. I had been fighting for money due to me since 2018 and lo and behold. “Fully favorable” was the judge’s decision in my case. I used a small portion of that money to get the equipment.
Since then I’ve hit the Chaplin up and a couple of hundred bucks later I’ve already gotten an email from her about how my donation of coloring books, activity books, puzzles, drawing paper, etc. have had a big impact. Recently a family needed to get together to make some decisions about a loved one. The donations kept the kids busy so the adults could talk.
And that’s why I do what I do.
Now I may be taking on the biggest project of my lifetime
I’m not ready to divulge any details just yet. I’m waiting for them to make a decision about the initiative. I don’t want the local community to be upset with them if they decide to pass. It’s going to take a nice chunk of change (more than I’ve got on me!) to get it off the ground. So I get why it may feel overwhelming to them.
So while I wait I thought in honor of my birthday I would select them as my charity of choice for birthday donations. For those of you who do not have Facebook or choose not to donate through Facebook, you can use their website and donate directly.
Or you can lick an envelope,
Atlantic General Hospital Foundation
10230 Old Ocean City Blvd
Berlin, MD 21811
If you donate through their website or snail mail please indicate why you’re sending the donation. Maybe something like “Terry L. Cooper’s birthday!” so they’ll know why it’s there.
As soon as they say yes (thinking positive here!) I’ll be back with an update on exactly what this initiative entails and the children’s book series that is in development as an ongoing fundraiser for the project.
Until then, thank you in advance for your generosity!
