Mr. S is a quadriplegic patient who is well known to our unit and has been with us for 24 days. During this last hospital stay, he had to undergo a tracheostomy and PEG placement due to respiratory failure. Jon has taken care of Mr. S during many shifts and they have formed a special bond.
During a recent shift and conversation, Mr. S expressed to Jon his desire to vote during this election. Jon is very passionate about politics and knew he could help. Jon contacted the Frederick County Voting Registration office and got instructions on how to register Mr. S to vote. He then took the paperwork to Mr. S and helped him fill out the papers. An off-duty AA then came to our unit and hand-delivered the registration papers to the local office. Mr. S and his mother got the biggest smiles on their face when they found out the papers were delivered and Mr. S would be able to vote.
Jon is a very compassionate and passionate nurse. He loves interacting and talking with his patients, particularly regarding politics. The simple act of making a phone call and helping Mr. S get registered to vote tremendously impacted this patient's day and spirit. Being a vent-dependent quadriplegic limits the patient's ability of what he can do, but Jon giving him the opportunity to become a registered voter helped to make him feel empowered and a productive part of society.