Hospital Internship Ignites Passion for GG

Ashley M., from the New Brunswick Chapter, explains how her hospital internship inspired her excitement to join the #GGmovement.

When I was 16, I worked at my mother's hospital as a paid intern. I worked in the In-Patient Rehabilitation department. Many of the in-patients were seniors who had suffered injuries that affected their strength and mobility. Some patients had visitors every day while others barely had any. I could tell this greatly affected each party's motivation to do the work toward recovery.

As an intern, I couldn't do much. I helped the therapists as much as possible, and they let me, seeing how eager I was to learn. The only thing I could truly do was provide support to the patients. I got close to quite a few patients that summer, and I was so fortunate to see some go from admission to the hospital to discharge. They shared stories about their lives: one man was a shoemaker who met the love of his life through their shared love for Broadway. Another woman worked her whole life at a local Catholic school and knew many of my family friends and cousins. It was one of the most heartfelt experiences of my life. I found great joy in listening to their stories and internalizing all the wisdom they gave me.

I'm excited to start my journey with GlamourGals because we take so many things for granted, and opening ourselves up to others with gentle hearts is one of many. Letting others know that we care for them, even if we are strangers, can make all the difference.