Community Clicks

It’s not just on the battlefield that veterans displayed courage.

Dan Breslin, left, and son Peter.

Disabled veterans often show fortitude in their rehabilitative activities, especially with an innovative treatment program called “Waves for the Brave.” Sponsored by the VA Boston Healthcare System, the popular effort teaches veterans to surf as a part of their extensive rehabilitation programs. About 25 disabled veterans and 50 volunteers participated in the July 2011 program at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass. There will be three surfing activities this July-September.

Dan Breslin, a Compuware partner sales engineer in Waltham, Mass., and his 17-year-old son, Peter, have volunteered with the program for the past two summers.

“My son and I took up surfing about five years ago and were delighted to learn of this program where we could use our surfing skills to work with disabled veterans,” Breslin said. “The veterans we worked with were all ages covering a wide array of injuries from stress disorders to amputees, paraplegics and quadriplegics.”

This past summer Breslin and his son joined other volunteers in working with Wayne, a quadriplegic.

“When he tumbled off the board, we’d panic,” Breslin said. “He didn’t. He knew he could float in his life vest and resurface and we’d be there to stabilize him and hoist him back on the board. He was not a small guy and I must confess, this was an exhausting endeavor. Yet it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had, all the more so because I got to do this with my son.”

Surfing with incapacitating disabilities requires “a lot of courage from the vets and a lot of support from us,” said Randi Woodrow, amputee rehabilitation coordinator for VA Boston Healthcare System. “Depending on the level of disability, we can have up to eight volunteers with one patient.”

She added: “The veterans love it. It increases their self-confidence and gives them bragging rights with their friends. It carries over into their daily lives with the confidence that ‘If I can do this, I can do anything.’”

Woodrow values the Breslins’ service as volunteers.

“It’s just so nice to have private citizens from the community help out, those who are not VA employees,” she said. “It’s good to have the community support.”

For Breslin, the experience was rewarding.

“On the most basic level, it was incredibly satisfying for me to take something I’ve enjoyed so much and be able to share it with this amazing group of deserving vets,” he said. “The Waves for the Brave event enabled both Peter and me to gain a greater appreciation for the challenges faced by vets as well as the wonderful work the Veterans Administration does to assist and rehabilitate injured vets.”

Asked whether they plan on participating again this summer, Breslin said: “Yes, definitely this summer and probably every summer for the near future.”

Alex Francoeur

Thanks to Alex Francoeur, dozens of employees in Lexington, Mass., responded to the call to “Go Red” on Feb.3, the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day.

Popular in the Boston community, National Wear Red Day is designed to encourage employees of local companies to donate $5 and/or wear red. It is a way to raise awareness and funds to promote a cure for heart disease.

Francoeur, a Compuware test engineering team lead, believes the statistics for heart disease are “pretty alarming.” His family has had a history of high blood pressure, and a few relatives have had cardiovascular problems.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S.,” he said. “It kills more people per year than the next three top killing diseases combined. It is rewarding to know that my company can get behind an effort that I am passionate about.”

He added: “I was surprised to see how successful we were! For our first time participating, we raised $300. I am excited to see if we can increase participation and fundraising for next year.”

Said participant Joe Partynski, a tier I team lead: “It would be great to increase participation and fundraising, as there is always more that can be done. I do believe, however, that this year’s turnout was a great start.

“If nothing else, it made people at least aware of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is important to help fund such critical research that helps so many people every year.”

Bon secours: Martine Nothern comforts E.R. visitors.

PARIS — Martine Nothern has an extra large dose of compassion.

For six years, she has shared her goodwill with patients and family members as a volunteer with the Fondation Claude Pompidou, a non-profit organization established in 1970 to take care of people in hospitals, as well as the elderly and handicapped children.

Nothern, credit manager for Compuware, volunteers three hours Thursday evenings in Paris at the emergency department of the Lariboisiere hospital, one of the biggest emergency departments in France.

“When in the hospital, I spend most of the time in the waiting room and at the reception desk,” she said.”I comfort patients and their families; I help them with the medical process, since volunteers are a positive link between the patients and the medical staff.”

She added: “More important, I listen to the patients. I am a ‘human presence’ while they are waiting for several hours in a painful and stressful situation.”

For four years, Nothern also has been a team leader for volunteers in the emergency department. She trains new volunteers and manages the team of eight people.

The hospital appreciates her efforts.

“It is quite a pleasure to work with you and your team,” said Professor Patrick Plaisance, head of reception and treatment in the emergency department. “You have been very helpful to us, faithful, committed volunteer professionals.”

Nothern demonstrates her professionalism by her ability to empathize with particularly vulnerable patients.

“I have special moments when comforting young children who come with their injured or sick parents, and elderly patients who sometimes have complex problems,” she said. “Also of concern are patients who have addictions and more particularly their families, who very often feel disoriented and are pleased to find a volunteer who is available to listen to them for a few minutes.”

A smile and a thank you from the patients and families are gratifying, Nothern says.

“I feel especially helpful to society while caring for the patients and their families,” she said. “My volunteer time brings balance to my work time at Compuware, as well as my private life, while giving me a sense of fulfillment.”