Too many people are dying alone. The dying, a group whose membership
cuts across all racial, religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines, are one of out most
unrecognized and under-served minorities, As people reach the end of life, they are
often ignored, discounted, and treated as children, even worse, as objects. In this
age of advanced technology, they are often warehoused within the uncaring confines of a
medical system that looks only to the maintenance of the physical body and cannot or will
not see them as unique and precious individuals...individuals who have both hearts and are
souls.
In May, 1997, a small group of dedicated individuals, under the leadership
of best-selling author Dannion Brinkley, came together to form a very special organization
called Compassion In Action. The core of our mission statement is the conviction
that no one need die alone. We do not endorse suicide of euthanasia, but rather
stand for the right of the dying to be treated with respect and dignity throughout the
dying process.
We have mobilized a band of trained volunteers, called the Twilight
Brigade. These volunteers go into homes, hospitals, and hospices...anywhere the
dying need support, caring, and compassion. In addition, we provide relief to
caregivers and families.
Through our trainings, we teach our volunteers how to confront and resolve
their own fears of death, as well as how to be fully present with people who are dying.
These trainings are dynamic, powerful, and often life altering.
Compassion in Action
is responding to the urgent need for education in the community through lectures,
workshops, and participation in conferences and other events. Programs are also
being designed for the medical community to enhance their awareness of the special needs
of the dying.
Compassion in Action
is now a presence in many cities across the United States, including New York, Chicago,
Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco. As we continue
to grow, we have also been receiving inquiries regarding international affiliations.
For more information about Compassion in Action,
please contact the:
National Office at 310-473-1941 or contact
Sandy Hatfield, local coordinator for CIA
in Atlanta at 770-277-0587. Information on upcoming
trainings will be posted at this site.
Please visit our national web site:
www.TwilightBrigade.com
E-mail: CIAdmin@aol.com
Back
l Volunteers l Education l Mission
Upcoming Events:
July14, 15, and 16
For more information call
Sandy
Hatfield - 770-277-0587
Back
l Volunteers l Mission l Contact Us
Message of
the Day
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon
to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's
only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families,
their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where
they had been on vacation.
And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up,
he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he
could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for
those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened
by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked
a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while
children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst
flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the
landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the
distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man
on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the
picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his
mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive
words. Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to
find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully
in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take
the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he
could be
moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and
after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first
look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of
seeing it
for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the
bed. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate
who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse
responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She
said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue. . . .There is tremendous happiness in making
others happy,
despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness
when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the
things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift,
that's why
it is called the present."
Back
l Volunteers l Mission l Contact Us
MISSION
The Twilight Brigade
Back to
Totalhue
A loving presence to those who are alone.
