A story about a man with no name and no family, who touched the hearts of those caring for him at Hospice of Palm Beach County, won the Hospice Storybook Award from the Florida Hospices and Palliative Care (FHPC) organization. The story, which was written by Hospice of Palm Beach County Chaplain Joseph McNett won the award at the FHPC forum recently held in Orlando.The Hospice Storybook Award recognizes original, non-published works from individuals about their most meaningful hospice experience.
McNett wrote about a patient they named Pedro. As best as they can tell from his co-workers, he was an emigrant from Puerto Rico, who was living in a run-down trailer. Pedro had a tracheotomy which prevented most verbal communication and he communicated with gestures and facial expressions.
“Despite his slow decline and physical difficulties, Pedro was constantly roaming the halls and taking walks … the one thing we could always count on was a smile or salute from him,” wrote McNett.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we were never really able to find out who he was. Pedro’s memory was ravaged and he could only recall bits and pieces,” McNett continued, “Pedro had no one … We cared for him and loved him … Although there was no one to claim him then … we do now.”
