1 . I always do voluntary work in the hospital. As a patient visitor, my important ______ is to deliver quality services to patients and families. By ______ companionship (陪伴) for patients in a sometimes ______ environment, I try my best to serve them and help to reduce the loneliness and frustration patients may feel after ______ in a hospital for weeks or even months.

Every Saturday afternoon for three to four hours, with a list of patients who ______ a patient visitor service, I head up to the 5th, 6th or 7th floor to first visit my priority (优先) patients. At the nurse’s station, I ______ ask the nurses or the medical staff about the condition of the patients in that unit and ______ that the patients would like a visitor. After receiving an update from the nurse, I gently ______ the door of the patients and enter with a friendly “Hello”. Then, I introduce myself and again politely ask if they would like a patient visitor. I usually try to prepare a few starting conversation ______ such as the current news, sports scores and fun facts. However, the patients usually engage (使加入) me first in an interesting conversation.

When volunteering as a patient visitor, I spent a lot of time communicating one-on-one with patients. Individual patients had individual needs and had extraordinary personal stories. ______,I found every visit ______. From generous and kind patients I have learned about their diseases and their course of ______. Additionally, I learned about literature, life during the Great Depression and wilderness of Northern Minnesota. On the whole, not only did I learn about the hospital settings and system, but I learned about the different ______ of others.

Many of the patients I have visited were truly inspiring and I always ______ them for their strength. Although their situations were somewhat difficult, they were often willing to share their stories of pain, suffering, hopes and optimism. I realize that I am truly grateful and ______ that they would share their personal stories with just a volunteer like me.