Leo shares, “I have always had a deep appreciation for and interest in the field of healthcare growing up. After completing my undergraduate degree, I began seeking opportunities in the field for some firsthand experience. I was fortunate enough to find several at the Toronto Grace Health Centre and was given an interview after contacting Volunteer Resources. At the interview, I had the privilege of meeting with the Volunteer manager whom I expressed my interest in potentially pursuing a career in physiotherapy. I was delighted to be offered a role in both therapeutic recreation and rehab. After a thorough orientation and introduction to the wonderful staff in each department, I began my first day as a volunteer in July of 2022.
It’s difficult to choose just one thing that I enjoy most about volunteering at TGHC. Working with the patients directly in rehab and on various projects/activities that help enrich and rehabilitate their lives is incredibly gratifying and engaging. However, none of that would be possible without all the staff members, from the recreational therapists to the OTs, PTs, and OTA/PTAs, who are incredibly competent, encouraging, and warm. They are what I enjoy most about working at TGHC every week. They have certainly helped further my appreciation for the field and are a source of immense motivation in my pursuit to be a member of it one day.
I am in a rather unique position to be able to work in both recreational therapy and rehab. That contrast has definitely been the most interesting part of my volunteering journey at TGHC. In the mornings, I would be working in the recreational therapy office making games and activities that would help stimulate the patients. This could include creating trivia questions for games like Family Feud or making ornaments for the patients to decorate that would later be featured at the annual fundraising Bazaar. It really brings to light the great variety of activities recreational therapists provide to enhance a person’s abilities and well-being. In the afternoons, I would head to the second floor to meet with the rehab team. There, most of my volunteering is patient centered. I would receive a schedule of several patients I would accompany and assist during their daily walks or exercises to gain mobility and/or endurance. It is genuinely incredible to see the progress made by the patients each week I am there. There are times when I have worked with a patient who could barely walk 10 meters without needing a break or assistance to seeing them the following week walking unassisted or even outside (which are much longer walks typically). It really speaks to the level of fortitude and perseverance of the patients and the amazing work done by the rehab team.
I hope this has shed some light at my experience as a volunteer at TGHC and what an amazing and fulfilling time it has been. It will no doubt be one of the most memorable places I had the privilege to be a part of in my life.”
Leo Lei
Rehab & Recreation Therapy Volunteer