Due to infection control and allergies, the
flowers will either be paper or silk, according to
Beaulieu. The types of flowers will be determined
by the season and will be gathered at the stem,
wildflower style. Patients can hang them on a hook
on the whiteboard across from their bed. A card
will accompany each sprig of flowers with a message from the hospital to the patient.
“We wanted every patient to know that TAMC
has thought of them and we wish them well. We
want to make every patient feel important,” said
Beaulieu.
Choosing Lyford as the person to deliver the
flowers seemed an obvious decision.
“Not just because this is Fred’s idea, Fred’s personality is perfect for greeting the patients,” said
Beaulieu. “Fred
has an innate
ability to be able
to talk to people.
He has a humor
that’s contagious.
It just comes
natural.”
“I said yes
because it would
be fun,” said Lyford. “There’s just something about
it, it’s hard to explain. I never used to be much for
talking, but that’s changed a little bit. It gives you
something to start with when you have something
like that, and then you go from there. The main
thing is that it is something that is given to them.”
Lyford arrived in the first patient’s room carrying a basket of flower sprigs to deliver on Wednesday, October 16, and already the Fred’s Friendly
Flowers program is off to a bright start.
Shannon Nichols of Fort Fairfield was one
of Lyford’s first deliveries in the program’s pilot
week, and he said Fred and his flowers were some
of the best medicine he received during his stay.
“The time Fred came and spent with me made me
feel bett