Jackie was a patient in Hinsdale Hospital’s muscular dystrophy clinic before becoming a wheelchair mobile, enthusiastic volunteer. But the death of a cousin troubled her and she asked physical therapist Sybil about her spiritual beliefs.

Sybil says she appreciates working in an environment that supports spiritual as well as physical therapy. “I’m not afraid to share my faith. I believe it’s good for me to share what I believe, and if it impacts someone in a way that is positive, then I appreciate that, and I think that’s helpful for them in their walk, in their spiritual life.”

Jackie also approached Nancy, an employee in the pastoral care department who is completing a chaplaincy program. “She started coming into our office more and we just started getting better acquainted,” says Nancy, who has a daughter about the same age as Jackie. “You could tell that she was still dealing with the loss of her cousin, but we just became closer and closer.”

Sybil, Nancy and others continued to encourage Jackie, who now works at Hinsdale Hospital and has expressed an interest in following a spiritual path – possibly becoming a pastor.

“In the last few months there’s such an enormous change,” says Nancy. “There’s so much joy. Even though I’m sure she was a happy person all along, the joy is just spilling over and it’s quite contagious.”