As Pilot Club of Central Pennsylvania founder Lisa Palmquist welcomed everyone in attendance at the club's luncheon for caregivers on Jan. 11, she shared that the event was "a bit of a dream come true" for her. Palmquist worked as an instructional support teacher in the Hempfield School District for 26 years and spent many summers serving as a camp nurse at Aaron's Acres, which offers summer camps for children and young adults with special needs. These experiences and others helped Palmquist to develop a deep sense of appreciation for parents and caregivers.
"To be in their shoes 24/7 - it is just amazing what they do," remarked Palmquist. "They need to remember to take care of themselves first, and that's the message that I wanted to get across (at the luncheon): You need to take care of yourself."
Palmquist and other Pilot Club members recognize that is much easier said than done - hence, the luncheon: a designated time for caregivers to take a break and be cared for and to hopefully be reminded that they are not alone or overlooked.
"Our purpose is just to give some of these caregivers a chance to get out, sit down, breathe, and have a quiet lunch and talk to other people who may be going through similar things," summarized Pilot Club member Gail Monteleone.
Approximately 40 caregivers from throughout Lancaster County attended the lunch at Salem United Methodist Church in Manheim, the majority of whom are parents, grandparents, or guardians of children with special needs and abilities. Pilot Club members served lunch and dessert and gave goodie bags prepared for each person in attendance as a small memento to thank them for what they do.
New York resident and mother of three Faith Clarke spoke to the group on "Radical Self-Care." Clarke is the author of "Parenting Like a Ninja: An Autism Mom's Guide to Professional Productivity" and a national speaker on the need for self-care for parents of special needs children.
As Clarke shared her own journey with those gathered, she also invited them to answer the question: "What do you crave?" After hearing responses like alone time, forgiveness, and understanding, Clarke presented another interactive statement: "Even though I have experienced (fill in the blank), I have learned (fill in the blank)."
"Even though you are craving these things, you are also massively improving and I want you to have a statement to affirm these things," encouraged Clarke.
Pilot Club of Central Pennsylvania member Karen Beck noted that serving caregivers and providing pick-me-ups for caregivers is one of the key tenets of Pilot International, which has chapters throughout the nation. Brain safety and fitness is another focus of service for club members, along with fostering youth leadership and development in local high schools through the facilitation of Anchor Clubs.
In addition to service projects and special events, Pilot Club of Central Pennsylvania members meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the third-floor conference room of the Lancaster General Health Suburban Pavilion, 2100 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster. To learn more about Pilot Club of Central Pennsylvania, readers may visit http://www.pilotclubofcentralpenn.com or http://www.facebook.com/pilotclubofcentralpa.
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