Kindness works – and also wins

Volunteer chair receives Caritas Mission Award

Diane Berge

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Diane Berge believes kindness and a positive attitude can make lasting improvements better than jumping up and down demanding change.

"It's one thing to do advocacy and complain when you have to, but I like to go at it from the other angle too," Berge said. "Positive reinforcement effects the best change. I strive to be a positive force."

Hope and joy

In June 2005, Berge began chairing the Family and Community Advisory Council at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre. She oversees about 12 other volunteers representing various units in the General who try to instill a greater sense of joy and hope in the residents.

For her service, Caritas Health Group awarded Berge with the Caritas Mission Award (individual) for 2006.

"It's an honour to receive the award, but you can walk two feet in the General and see people who should have it," Berge said. "So many people do so much. I was truly surprised."

"When I was told, I was speechless - and that's quite a big deal for me," she said with a smile.

In the last few years, Berge made frequent visits to three family members who had received continuing care from Caritas. One such member was her uncle, Greg Schiller, a former acting editor of the WCR.

Staff at the General noticed Berge's positive and pleasant demeanour and asked her if she'd like to become a volunteer.

Berge is now chair of the council. She organized a bake sale that helped purchase a television stand for the residents. She developed a family forum and a family support group, as well as an annual open house to make people aware of what is available in the General.

She has also spearheaded staff appreciation events.

A former art gallery owner, Berge is a tireless advocate for those in continuing care in Alberta. She recently led the council's participation in consultations with the Alberta government's task force on continuing care.

"I was invited to help write the standards. It was quite interesting."

The government had sent out a task force to investigate community care amid complaints of its quality. The public was invited to participate.

Berge helped write a nearly 200-page document that sets standards for in-care facilities.

Averil Suriyakumaran was part of the committee that nominated Berge for the award.

"Diane is totally compassionate in everything she does. She is a delightful lady," said Suriyakumaran, director of care at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre.

"Dealing with her own relatives here over a period of time, she looked for the most positive outcomes. Her effect on other families and residents was felt.

"She listens to people. She is tireless and always out to make a positive difference."

Berge does not drive and she struggles with MS. Yet improving the lives of others is her daily quest.

She recently introduced a new program called Second Wind Dreams, similar to the Children's Wish Foundation.

The continuing care residents were asked to write down something they had always wished for. Some family members offered wishes on behalf of their relatives.

Berge took the responses and began calling several businesses to see if the idea had any steam.

She was overwhelmed by how many wishes could come true.

One woman had always wanted a professional manicure. She got one. Another had longed to be reunited with an old classmate.

One woman had always wanted to go to a dollar store. Twenty dollars was collected for her and a local limousine company offered their services to take her, at no charge.

Remember our elders

"It's nothing really huge, but it is to them," Berge said. "It is important for the community to be aware that these folks have needs. They are very much a forgotten group of people."

Berge says any amount of money can be pumped into continuing care to try and improve it, but until the public's perception changes, nothing will have a lasting effect.

And Berge does so with a kind heart.

"We need to make the public aware of these people and make them equal with others in society," she said. "They are such a caring group of people."

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