In Motion at Chilled Ponds Staff Showers San Salvador Couple with Compassion and Generosity
From left: Dave Roush, PTA; Amalia Diaz, wife of patient; Aaron Eppler, Sports Coordinator; Rebecca Scheeley, Tech; Andres Diaz, patient.
They spoke no English, the man and his wife from San Salvador. When he injured his shoulder on the job, his physician referred him to In Motion at Chilled Ponds for physical therapy. To help facilitate communications, a niece accompanied the couple to act as interpreter on their first few visits.
When In Motion was notified that the niece would not be coming to translate on an upcoming therapy session, Rebecca Scheeley, rehab tech, begin to think about how the staff would communicate with the couple. Though she had studied Spanish for six years, she doubted that she could converse with them without assistance so she located a Spanish dictionary and looked up some relevant terms. That caring act was a turning point because it allowed Scheeley to directly ask questions and respond to the husband and wife.
Scheeley noticed that the wife was pregnant and learned that the baby is due in mid-April. She asked if they needed anything. The patient replied that they needed everything, that they have no money for anything for the baby. Scheeley says, “I work with guys who have children so I asked if they had any baby items they could donate to the couple. I thought it would be nice to give them a baby shower.”
The entire team wanted to help. Aaron Eppler, sports performance coordinator, donated a baby stroller. David Roush, physical therapy assistant, donated a port-a-crib. Melissa Gunter, community relations manager, also contributed some items for the baby. Scheeley bought baby clothes and blankets from a thrift store. She asked her friend Katie to help, too. When the couple arrived for the man’s next therapy session, the Chilled Ponds team surprised them with an impromptu baby shower. They were very happy and grateful for the gifts.
Jim Griesi, administrative director, Bon Secours Virginia Physical Rehabilitation Services, says, “I was personally touched by the team’s generosity and kindness. These actions represent world-class care and compassion.” The In Motion at Chilled Ponds team embraced Bon Secours’ mission to give good help to those in need and provided a warm welcome to a new member of the community.