Ethnopoem

Catholicism
      something I don't do
      my own church
Volunteering
      for years
      before I even moved here
      helped another woman
      took care of her
Oh, Yeah
      husband worked here eleven years
      brother and his wife
      lived here for ten
      parents both died here
      but that's not
      what got me in here
      waiting list for four years

Interveiw

I had my first formal interview on Tuesday. I talked with Latish. She lives on the third floor of the assisted living area. She is in a wheelchair. Just talking with her, you would think she had a stroke that affected her speech. But, after being around her for a while, I noticed she had other problems with motion. In my interview with her, she divulged that she is suffering from Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a progressive nervous system disorder that worsens over time. There is no known cure for it as of today. However, Latisha does not let her illness get to her. She is very happy living at the Jeanne Jugan residence. During the interview she repeatedly said she felt like she was surrounded by angels. Also when I asked her about feeling like she lost her independence, she answered with "I feel like I have more independence". I found this quite intriguing. After the interview I brought her back to the room she was helping out in. As I wheeled her back, I noticed she was using her feet to help move the wheelchair. She is battling her illness with her head held high.

Where I am going

Soon I will be starting my interviews. I am in the process of making appointments. However my next post will be on a Halloween party at the residence. My grandmother has invited me to this party. I believe I will be able to find out more information about this subculture from actually attending an event that they have for the residents.

Ideas I would like to persue

During my research I have noticed several things. To begin with I have noticed Mother Mercy. She is not the typical image of a mother. She is very new to the Jeanne Jugan residence. I am curious about how being new affects her relationships with the residents and the other nuns. Another thing that is on my mind is Arthur and Virginia's relationship. I wonder if there are a lot more married residents here. I am also wondering how old the married residents were when they first met. I believe that society has changed a lot since the residents were teenagers. But I am not sure the extent of changes society has gone through.

A happier note

The last post a little depressing but, that was not the only thing I discovered today. I discovered that the Jeanne Jugan residence has rooms for married couples. I figured I would share the story of one couple I met today.
Today I met Virginia and Arthur. They have been married for 69 years. Arthur was Virginia's first relationship. They had planned to wed when they were seventeen years old. However two weeks before their wedding Arthur got sent overseas. Arthur was in the Navy CBs. Arthur was put in this section because he is colorblind. He served in D-day. He served in D-day. After the war, he and Virginia were married. While Virginia was pregnant, Arthur was sent to the Philippines. When he came back home, Virginia had already had their baby. The baby was already five months old. Virginia and Arthur are still happily married. They share a room on the third floor of the Jeanne Jugan residence. I wish them many more years of happiness.

R.I.P.

Monday, Little Sisters of the Poor experienced a death. Helen Ryder passed away at the age of 103 Monday. Her funeral was held in the funeral room. When my grandmother showed me the funeral room today she told me about Helen. The room seemed even more dreary after finding out that it was recently used. Helen was in the service earlier in her life. As my grandmother was telling me about Helen, I noticed a crack in her voice. I turned my head, and saw that she was close to tears. I ended the conversation then. I did not want her to cry. Helen lived a long life. But my grandmother's reaction makes me wonder how everyone else is taking the loss of Helen. I was to afraid to ask because of how recent her passing was. I also wonder how the people at the Jeanne Jugan residence react to the death of a friend. I am curious about this because my late grandfather used to deliver supplies to the nuns. Every person that is working there now knew my grandfather very well. Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of his passing. Maybe this also contributed to the sadness that seemed to surround the residence.

Digital Research

            The Jeanne Jugan residence is very different from other elderly residences. Not only is it an assisted living residence but it is an independent living facility. It is managed by workers volunteers and nuns. In my online research I found many articles on one aspect of this place and I managed to find one site that contained all aspects of the Jeanne Jugan residence. This site just happens to be the official site for the Jeanne Jugan residence of The Little Sisters of the Poor. The official site of The Little Sisters of the Poor helps bring me into the mission of this place. The people who run this place want a safe haven for the elderly. They do not discrimate on the basis of race, income, religion, or ethnicity. Little Sisters of the Poor advertise a home like place for the elderly.

            Another interesting site I found was anunslife.org. This site was interesting to me because Little Sisters of The Poor is run by nuns. This gives me some insight into how to become a nun. This in turn helps me develop questions to ask the nuns. Step two was one of the most interesting steps to me. This is because it talks about doing “nun surveillance”. What the author means is just scoping out the lifestyle of a nun. It also describes how some of them are as stodgy as some people think. It explains that there are different ways that nuns embody religion. It explains that certain nuns will help you discover the true life of a nun. I believe knowing how to become a nun will help me interact with the nuns more easily.

             These sites helped me figure out how I could enter the space and it will help me ease into the insider perspective. I had trouble finding sites about the place as a whole. Most elderly facilities are either one or the other.