Students share seasons greetings with elderly
By Zamora Jenkins Special to the Kansan
It is Dec.25,1993,and outside the window snowflakes float gently to the ground.Inside,everyone is nestled beneath their covers,fast asleep. Then they are awakened by "HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas." Everyone slowly draws themselves from bed and at a pace of 20 steps a minute,gathers in the front room to participate in the festivities.
Welcome to the Colonial Manor Nursing Home Christmas party, one of the annual celebrations planned by Kathy Eisman, activities director. Every year, volunteers are relied on to donate their time to help spread joy to the residents, and direct them to appropriate places.
Eisman said that KU students were great about visiting the home on a regular base. Throughout the year, fraternities and sororities played various games with the residents such as bingo, or exercised with the residents during theirphysical fitness workout. Many times, a sorority will make its visit even more special by participating in one-to-ones with the female residents, which may consist of painting their finger nails or doing their hair.
Many of the social activities at the home evolve from a small budget. Eisman's annual budget is based on the number of residents. The majority of the time, money is not donated to the home, because it is a nonprofit organization. To help compensate for the minimal funding, the kitchen at the home on special occasions will bake cakes. For instance, the kitchen will bake a birthday cake for the resident, and Eisman will supply the balloon. For the Christmas, party the kitchen will furnish cookies and punch. Along with the refreshments, every year the Lady's Auxiliary, Camp Fire Kids, Sallie Mae Singers, Cotton Woods and Girl Scouts go
through the halls caroling to those residents who are unable to get out of bed. Eisman said that the residents loved music whether it was good or bad. They just look forward to seeing the carolers and participating in the activities. This year's celebration will consist of a visit from Santa and his elves.
Many families will attend the party. For those residents who have no relatives, or whose family has dropped them off and will never return, the home has created Adopt a Grandparent day. A gift is furnished to those residents by Corpus Christi Catholic Church. The individual is asked to make a list, and most of the time only personal items are requested. Males will ask for a sweat suit or a pair of socks, and females will ask for a shawl or robe.
However, no matter how many gifts are received, residents still miss their traditional celebrations with family. For some, many of their memories of past Christmases are
gone and can no longer be retrieved. Nevertheless, others who have lived in the home longer, share their new traditions with the younger residents. Residents try to create a homey atmosphere by decorating the tree and halls.
Surprisingly enough, some residents have lived in the home for as long as 10 years, some for as few as three. Their ages range from 40 to 101. Being in a nursing home for some gives them a safe environment and a sense of security with doctors and nurses on duty 24 hours. Others have been checked in by family members who are unable to take care of them.
Some may think of the residents as being merely old, but many of them have been around since the turn of the century and are a part of history, something that others can only read about. The residents love to tell stories and see new faces. They may still have a lot to give to society.
Foreign students see good and bad in United States
By Brian A. Masillionis Special to the Kansan
"The trees are so pretty here, and the small shops are great," said Uta Goeckede, Dormund, Germany. "I also like how you can get everywhere on a bike; it's not as spread out like it is in Germany. I've also heard that Massachusetts Street is really nice during the holidays."
Pablo Martinez De Valasco Astray, a tourist from La Coruña, Spain, said that the recreational facilities such as Lone Star Lake and Robinson Center are much better than in Spain. Martinez also anticipates how
Lawrence will look as the holiday lights go up. He was, however, critical of the United States and Lawrence.
"It's not really a free country," said Martinez.
He said he believed that all the constraints on the American people create the violence seen in many parts of the country. These constraints include the 21-year-old drinking limit. In Spain, the Americans who visit are always drunk, he said.
"They're not used to the freedom we have in Spain with that respect, so they go overboard," Martinez said. "When something is illegal, people will do it many times because
they aren't supposed to.
"Lawrence is peaceful, though the rest of the country scares me because it is too violent."
When asked why he thought America was so violent, he said television and the ability to get guns might be the problem. In Spain people can't have guns so it's harder to do real damage, he said.
Patrick Roos, Dormund, Germany, said that there was less violence in Germany where guns are outlawed.
"In the United States, when people abuse alcohol as they tend to do and loose control, it's not hard to find a gun and do something
crazy." Roos said.
Martinez's idea to make Lawrence better was blunt.
"In Spain, everyone stays out late. I usually wouldn't get home until six or seven in the morning because the bars don't close until 9:00 a.m.." he said.
Martinez said Lawrence could be improved if bars stayed open later, drinking restrictions were lifted and guns were outlawed.
"There are police everywhere here," he said. "In Spain there aren't that many because there's not that much of a problem."
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COMMUNITY * K-you * December 8, 1993