Services

DAVIDS AND SUPPORT IN THE HOME

Get a “David” all your own – someone to look after your pets, your plants, and/or your home. When you want to be in the hospital with your child either locally or out of town, one of our Davids can look after everything else. He/she can bring in your mail and review it with you by telephone if you desire, make sure your plants are alive when you get home, tend to your garbage & recycling, and make sure your family pets are given TLC. If you have special requests, we will do our best to accommodate them. All Davids undergo complete, fingerprinted background checks for your safety and ours.

Whether your child is in the hospital or at home, we can send someone to occassionally clean your house. Whether by working with your neighbors or sending an outside source, we’ll do our best to make sure your lawn is trimmed in the summer and that your drive is shoveled in the winter.

While it is very nice when supportive friends bring us meals, we recognize that this isn’t always the best thing for you and your family. Tell us your favorite delivery and carry-out restaurants and we will arrange for some meals to be at your disposal, without having to cook, clean-up, or return the dishes.

*While we do our best to provide consistent services, some opportunities may be limited by number of volunteers and service providers in your area and the financial resources available for allocation.

REQUEST A DAVID

I-BEAMS AND SUPPORT IN DAILY LIFE

In construction, an I-Beam is a strong, grounded support beam that can be used to support other materials leaned against it and/or stacked on top of it. Whatever stress is applied to it, the I-Beam remains upright and grounded. We offer you an I-Beam to help carry your stress; someone who has gone through a similar experience as you with their own child.

The day-to-day stress of having a critcally ill child can be overwhelming. We are all prone to breaking into tears at some of the worst moments, such as while driving down the expressway at high speed. You can call your I-Beam at any time of day or night to talk about or to specifically avoid talking about the challenges of life during these stressful times. We strongly encourage you to save the tears for while you are showering and to call your I-Beam while driving or any time that talking is more appropriate than crying. (Of course, you should also set aside "better" moments so that you can give in to the tears and sorrow.)

It is critically important that you, as a parent, take charge of your child’s treatment and care. This means becoming educated about your child’s disease, knowing the treatment plan and medications, understanding treatment protocols, and being aware of what is happening in the hospital and clinic settings. You must be aware of your right and responsibility to ask for second opinions if you feel insecure and to have your voice heard and respected by all medical staff. While reading this and the patient rights data in the hospital is helpful, there is something empowering about hearing the words in person. As soon as possible, we will happily meet with you at home or in the hospital to talk about where you can get information, how to interact with hospital staff, and the importance of following your gut instinct in selecting treatment for your child. Some links to medical data will soon be included on this website.

*While we do our best to provide consistent services, some opportunities may be limited by number of volunteers and service providers in your area

REQUEST AN I-BEAM