 Home | Recent News | Sterling | Volunteer 01 Apr 2006 Volunteer hasn’t let multiple sclerosis get in the way of what she loves best, being with peopleCarol Bingle accepts that she probably is most recognized in her community as the woman who drives an electric cart around town, often accompanied by Chooch, her 16-year-old Cairn terrier. “When people see somebody in a wheelchair, they look more than once. People will remember you because of the wheelchair,” she said. But Mrs. Bingle is special for so many more reasons, not the least of which is her faithfulness as a volunteer at Presbyterian Manor of Sterling. She and her husband, Paul, are graduates of Sterling College, where Paul now works as chief administrative officer. Mrs. Bingle says the couple, both of whom are educators, never dreamed they would return to Sterling. But here they are, positively plugged in to the Presbyterian heart of southern Kansas. At the Manor, Mrs. Binglel “does everything,” says Activities Director Genny Gillespie. “Everything” includes playing music for Friday chapel services, calling spirited bingo sessions and helping with a weekly coffee and fellowship supported by her church, Sterling First Presbyterian. She said at the Manor, “I don’t think anyone even pays attention to my wheelchair” – with an occasional exception. “Sometimes somebody will say, ‘Oh dear, you can’t carry that coffee pot,’ ” she said with a laugh. Mrs. Bingle was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about 16 years ago and lost the use of her legs. There still are times she has to give in to her disease temporarily. “When I go, I go. When I crash, I crash,” she said. “I just have to pace myself. I try to give up other things first (before giving up my time at the Manor).” Manor staff describe Mrs. Bingle as energetic, enthusiastic and outgoing. “She goes out of her way to do anything for anybody,” said Gillespie. “She would come up even in bad weather.” Mrs. Bingle admits that a downpour can put a damper on her two-block “drive” to the Manor but it’s one of the only things that keeps her from getting there most days. “Heavy rain or icy weather would stop me. If it’s cold, I can usually bundle up,” she said. “The Manor is a very big part of my life. The people are like family.” One of her greatest incentives is seeing her mother, Marjorie Ford, a Manor resident. Carol started playing for chapel services even before her parents made the Manor their home several years ago. Her father has since passed away. “When my parents visited us, we went over to the chapel. That’s when they were kind of convinced to move there,” she said. Her mother also played for chapel services years ago before a stroke limited her mobility. “She was a beautiful pianist,” Mrs. Bingle said of her mother. “Now just one hand works because of the stroke.” But this mother-daughter team didn’t give up. They found a way to keep playing. “I’ll play a hymn and she’ll play the top part,” said Mrs. Bingle. She added that she and her mother were deeply moved when one of the nurses asked them to play the wedding march at her ceremony several years ago, which was held at the Manor. “Angela asked us to do it and so we did.” “I thoroughly enjoy it,” she said of her volunteer role. “It’s a two-fold thing, visiting my mother as well as others.” And Chooch – Carol’s frequent, furry companion – is a hit with residents. “Our little dog goes with me a lot. He rides with me on my electric cart. He doesn’t get down and run around,” she said.” Chooch has found other ways to be entertaining. “When I’m in mother’s room working in her drawer, he’ll go behind me and become a living arm rest.” When asked whether she considered herself an inspiration to others, Mrs. Bingle said, “I never gave it a thought. If I am, it’s because of God working. I think God gave me the gift of loving people.” A shoulder surgery sidelined her temporarily this spring but Mrs. Bingle has been through such setbacks before and knows she will get through this one, too. It’s clear she wants to get back to the Manor as soon as possible. She learned long ago that the most important thing she has to offer there as a volunteer has nothing to do with a working pair of legs. “You don’t have to do anything. Just be there. I just go over there and visit. I come away far more blessed.”
About Us | Communities | Giving | Site Map
|
