Tiny hands, big hearts

Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can help lift people’s spirits during uncertain times. Patients at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute recently received handmade art to bring a little extra holiday cheer to those who might be feeling anxious or isolated during the holiday season.

The art was made by little ones at Parkwood Children’s Centre and showed that you are never too young to spread some much-needed holiday joy. Inpatients within the acquired brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs all received the kind gesture.   

“This was a great opportunity to provide an enriching interaction between the daycare children and the patients on our unit,” says social worker Lindsay Syal who spearheaded the idea. “After such a taxing year, it was a great break from reality to watch the patient’s faces light up with excitement as they received these beautiful pieces of art.”

The artwork, which underwent a quarantine process and other safety measures, was one of many initiatives within St. Joseph’s rehabilitation programs to help lift patient’s spirits as many are not be able to be with family or loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s great to know that people are thinking about you. It’s been a tough year,” says an inpatient in St. Joseph's Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program. “The art was a wonderful surprise.”

Three-year-old Gavin who attends Parkwood Children’s Centre says, “making people happy is good and really nice to do” – which is a thought that just might be as beautiful as the art itself.