i wrote letter to psych hospital in austin

i wrote a two page letter to a psych hospital in austin austin state hospital about allowing volunteers deliver flowers and stuff animals anyone want to read it email toddbabin1984@yahoo.com and request it and i will send it as attachments.

I think you might need to understand the reason why those things may not be allowed.

First of all, most flowers come in a GLASS vase...no glass is allowed. I found that flowers could be put into something other than a container that could be broken into sharp objects was acceptable, but was at the discression of the staff.

The concept of stuffed animals also brings up the concept of allowing something into the patients where drugs or sharp objects could be hidden...also another no no.

There are many reasons why these things are not allowed but the most important reason is "the safety of the patient"

I know those things are nice to have while in the hospital...heaven knows, I'm 51 & still have my favorite teddy bear. But I realized that my safety was the priority to them otherwise I wouldn't be in the hospital in the first place.

Just a thought

I suggested that instead of using glass vases they can use plastic vases they can order special that can reuse and i suggested that on stuff animals be given to the kids under age 12 be plush or beanie baby with nothing hard inside and only be given to patients who are not on suicide risk and proven not be danger themselves or others.

Sounds like a good idea since you have taken those issues into consideration. I'm sure you know how much those things mean to people in the psych hospital. The hospitals I was in never had a problem with the plastic vases & I always got my flowers...except the times in the closed unit where I couldn't even have shoe laces.

I wish you success in your request...it is so thoughtful.

i am glad someone thought that was a good idea.the general hospital i volunteer at is christian non profit but we never allowed to deliver flowers in psych building very few volunteers go over there but in austin the capitol they got state hospital with volunteer program and wrote someone a letter and ask them and made aware of safety issues but with my idea of plastic vases and very soft plush toys for kids it can be both safe and fun for both patients and volunteers and suggest they open up a giftshop if they didn't have one already like most hospitals today.