From: Choochclwn@aol.com
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 22:35:16 EST
Subject: Re: Nursing Homes
To: balloon@fooledya.com

In a message dated 2/18/01 7:53:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, biker@bright.net 
writes:

<< I have never went out and  twisted balloons in a nursing home, and I would 
like a few suggestions. >>

The flowers you mention are a good start. In addition to flowers to hold, you 
might want to consider wrist-corsage type flowers. Even basic balloon animals 
can be made into wrist-balloons by making a loop instead of the usual back 
legs. (If there's not already a teddy-bear on your list, this is a great 
opportunity to add it.) I also think balloons which are dynamic...those which 
have or suggest action or movement...would be good here: a fishing rod, for 
example. Most of all, for a nursing home I think your people skills will be 
more critical than great twisting proficiency. If accompanied by eye contact, 
conversation (not patter, but conversation) and a touch to their hands, a 
balloon dog will go just as far as a finely detailed sculpture. For a nursing 
home resident, the most important thing a balloon can accomplish is to be  
your entree to their lives, if only for a few moments.

Best of luck...I think you'll find nursing home work to be some of the most 
personally rewarding you'll ever do.

Twistin' the night away...
Bennett (already logged off once for inactivity while trying to think of 
something to put in parentheses)/Chooch