What may be a small effort to some may be a tremendous comfort to others. Such is the story of Estelle and Robert.
As a patient transporter at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Robert Washington approaches his job as more than just getting people from one place to another. He uses his talent to offer inspiration, encouragement and hope to those who need it.
Sometimes patients are nervous, upset or just plain sad about what they’re going through. Estelle Watson, a lung transplant survivor, was being treated for rejection. This means that her body is rejecting her new lungs, which is something every transplant patient dreads hearing. As Robert was transporting her down a quiet stretch of hallway, Estelle noticed that Robert was humming a familiar tune – a song of praise that is very close to Estelle’s heart.
Robert’s humming immediately had a calming effect on Estelle. She commented to Robert that he had a wonderful singing voice and asked if he would sing the hymn to her, which he did.
It made Estelle feel so good and right with her world at that moment that she asked Robert to come back to her room later and sing it to her again.
He did.
You can watch this incredibly touching exchange in the video below.
Thank you, Estelle, for letting us know about your heartwarming experience with Robert. And thank you, Robert, for allowing us to tell your story and being on our team.
Above and beyond – the story of Estelle and Robert « Touching Base
As a patient transporter at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Robert Washington approaches his job as more than just getting people from one place to another. He uses his talent to offer inspiration, encouragement and hope to those who need it.
Sometimes patients are nervous, upset or just plain sad about what they’re going through. Estelle Watson, a lung transplant survivor, was being treated for rejection. This means that her body is rejecting her new lungs, which is something every transplant patient dreads hearing. As Robert was transporting her down a quiet stretch of hallway, Estelle noticed that Robert was humming a familiar tune – a song of praise that is very close to Estelle’s heart.
Robert’s humming immediately had a calming effect on Estelle. She commented to Robert that he had a wonderful singing voice and asked if he would sing the hymn to her, which he did.
It made Estelle feel so good and right with her world at that moment that she asked Robert to come back to her room later and sing it to her again.
He did.
You can watch this incredibly touching exchange in the video below.
Thank you, Estelle, for letting us know about your heartwarming experience with Robert. And thank you, Robert, for allowing us to tell your story and being on our team.
Above and beyond – the story of Estelle and Robert « Touching Base
