Senior LifeStyle with Eileen O’Brien

By Eileen O’Brien

NEWS FLASH:  Rockland Psychiatric Center (Opened: January, 1931) and Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center  (Opened: August, 1970) are alive, properly and persevering with of their lengthy established custom of treating adults and kids affected by psychological sickness. Yes, I’ve heard the tales of those two life altering services being closed, however I’m right here to inform you that the employees continues to deal with, assist and supply continued steering to the sufferers below their care in each their inpatient and outpatient services. Now within the curiosity of full disclosure, after 37 years of working in various Office of Mental Health Facilities, I had the great fortune of being employed for my final seven years, previous to retirement, on the Rockland Psychiatric Center (RPC). Since my first day of employment by NYS in 1972, I’ve had an “in the trenches” view of various OMH Psychiatric Centers from Brooklyn to Staten Island to Ossining to Orangeburg.  Yet regardless of the historic ups and downs RPC and RCPC had been by means of, I discovered a constructive vitality and an exhilarating potential upon my arrival in 2000. In my preliminary exploration of the campus, I found the RPC Employee Memorial Garden, devoted “In Loving Memory of Our Dedicated Staff” (November, 1998). During my days at RPC, I made many mates and misplaced method too many colleagues who had grow to be like household. Think about it, throughout your employment years and sure intervals of time, particularly in a hospital setting, you usually spend extra time with the sufferers and the parents you’re employed with than your personal household!

So it was with this thought in thoughts and tissues on the prepared, that I as soon as once more attended on September 17, 2026 a program of remembrance for the 18 most just lately deceased  employees members  being memorialized becoming a member of the 111 beforehand departed crew members at this sacred nook of the campus. Family, mates, colleagues, and sufferers, standing over 150 sturdy, stood collectively remembering Wilbur, Tammy, Aisha, Cathy Mat Angela, Kaner, Junia, Debbie, Henry, Cate, Halestine, Keith, Verbatine, George Margaret, Clara, Jose with poetry, private recollections, humorous tales and track. As every plaque was unveiled, there was a favourite quote or thought talked about by household and mates that was essential to the actual particular person being remembered. Visiting and specializing in the distinctive plaques at this vibrant memorial reminded the customer of the skills and contributions that NYS staff have made each domestically and on this twenty fifth Anniversary of the tragic 911 Attacks on our nation which was merely said on a Memorial Garden plaque… “In Memory – State and Public Employees For Their Heroic Efforts and Sacrifice On September 11th, 2001” (Dedicated June 4th 2002). For every individual attending this loving tribute, there have been additionally these previous names on plaques of parents whose efforts represented voices of purpose below stress, reliability, kindness, teamwork.  For me personally, it was Benny, Al, Henry, Mary, John, Cleveland, Linda, Teri, Sharon, Hermine, Albert, Patricia, Ariel, Nauman… Across all disciplines and departments, contributing to affected person therapeutic. For all of the departed RPC and RCPC Employees, might the work you’ve executed and life you led communicate for you…and to these of us who comply with in your footsteps.

In the August Rockland County Times “Senior Lifestyle” first anniversary column, I shared that I might in our second 12 months collectively, scout out and acknowledge people, younger and outdated who, in their very own quiet efforts, assist others. So drum roll, please!

This month, the younger people are taking heart stage! Now everyone knows in regards to the initiative of “Taking Your Children To Work Day” that has grown fashionable during the last a number of years. Well,  on the current Clarkstown Senior Picnic in August, the seniors who attended this occasion had been expertly served a scrumptious lunch by Anthony and Ella, whose Dad, I’m advised, is Matt Veronesi, Clarkstown Parks and Recreation Director. Talk about giving the children on the job coaching and the chance to fulfill and greet senior members of the Clarkstown neighborhood who like to eat! Welcoming and useful are the 2 phrases that come to thoughts to explain these two children. Job properly executed!

Now on to Orangetown… Can you keep in mind the final time you noticed a lemonade stand promoting liquid refreshments and cookies too? Driving by means of Blauvelt just lately on a very popular summer time Sunday, I made a decision to take a look at this mirage. Would the proceeds of this endeavor be used for a household journey, a day on the mall, a mani/pedi, or perhaps costly sneakers? No foolish, the cash earned from at the present time would go in the direction of applications at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital! The vitality, kindness and dedication I witnessed took my breath away.  So it was time to ask “The Moms” –  Lindsey and Kate, who had been supervising this glorious studying expertise, if I may ask the children to present me their first names so I may print their names within the newspaper, hopefully for his or her grandparents to learn! So a properly deserved shout out goes to: Ady, Savannah, Ava,  Emma, and James for a job properly executed! As the outdated saying goes: Sometimes the smallest issues take up the most important room in your coronary heart!

Now on to October… The month of political debates, early voting, fall festivals, Orangetown Museum Brunch (10/4), National First Responder Appreciation Day (10/28) and Halloween!  All  aboard… Get prepared for the journey!