Meet Three Peers Exemplifying Pope Francis’ Three Ways to Find Happiness in 2018
As the New Year approaches, we look to the advice of Pope Francis, who offered three ways to find happiness in 2018 (Pope Francis, Time Magazine). At St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton it is part our Mission to provide compassionate care for our patients. For many this might involve inspiring joy in our colleagues, finding bliss in our work and delighting in comforting those we care for.
Meet three people who are part of St. Joe’s internal community who exemplify the secrets to happiness according to Pope Francis:
A smile can change your life
“…(small) gestures cost us nothing but they can offer hope, open doors, and change the life of someone stuck in the shadows.” – Pope Francis
Pictured above: Kristy Waddell, Registered Nurse in the Special Care Nursery at St. Joe's
The families of the babies receiving care at the Special Care Nursery at St. Joe’s did not expect to spend their little one’s first Christmas in the hospital. These tiny patients are here because they may have an infection, be very pre-mature, unable to gain weight or are experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) due to opioid exposure in the womb. Can a smile really change the course of a new life, too?
Kristy Waddell has been a registered nurse in the Special Care Nursery for over 28 years and she knows the power a smile can make all the difference for the babies she cares for and their parents.
“We’re the friendly face that greets them during a very stressful time in their lives. No one plans to be here during the holidays,” says Kristy. “It is a privilege to be a part of every family’s first Christmas with a new baby.”
Kristy and her colleagues feel that cooing and smiling as they administer medication and help with feeding, benefits the lives of each baby, parent, colleague and also themselves. “We treat every baby here like our own. When babies get better it makes us happy and it’s what inspires us all to come in every day. Nothing makes us happier than when parents are supported and feel fully confident to go home with their healthy newborn.”
Don’t settle for a small life
“In an age when we are constantly being tempted by vain and empty illusions of happiness, we risk settling for less and living “small.” Instead: Think big! Open your heart!” – Pope Francis
Pictured above: Dr. Grace White, Internationa Outreach Program (IOP)
It is currently trendy to live a minimalist lifestyle. From the way people dress to the look of their home, it is highly encouraged to live simply in every sense of the word.
While living minimally is one way to live, Pope Francis encourages us all instead to “think big and open your heart!”
Dr. Grace White took thinking big to the next level by joining St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton from Guyana as part of the International Outreach Program (IOP). Her life has taken her thousands of miles away from her home in pursuit of helping others.
Through IOP and McMaster University’s Clinical Fellowships, Dr. White talks about her time in Canada as bringing an improved life back to her community, “This exposure to some of the best in the various fields and to the gamut of evidenced based medicine will undoubtedly and immeasurably impact the landscape of medicine in Guyana.”
Today takes courage
“We must have courage in order to open ourselves up to the world…” – Pope Francis
Pictured above: Lina Cannella, Peer Support provider at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton at the West 5th Campus.
There was divorce, abuse and a lack of money in Lina Cannella’s life. Not knowing if anyone would ever be there for her - or with her - was terrifying. It was a time for courage.
More than seven years later, it’s still emotional for Lina to relive the fears she once felt. There are tears, then a pause. Her voice hardened and she said, “It took courage to get up in the morning.”
Love for her two daughters moved Lina to fight her fears, but as Pope Francis said, “courage alone does not guarantee success.” It took opening herself up to the world by reaching out to peer support providers at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton for Lina to move on from despair.
And just as Pope Francis noted, courage brings strength. Today, Lina is a peer support provider herself and she helps others use courage to steady their wavering steps.
“What we go through is difficult and not very well understood. Many times we feel like we’re alone, unworthy and broken,” she says. “You need courage to keep on taking those dep breaths because tomorrow is another day with new opportunities.”