Covenant Hospice compiles photos...Faces of Life
Publication Name: Pensacola News Journal
Published Date: 11/04/2006
Even as his life neared the end, Juan Rodriguez, a hospice patient, was still able to spend some of his time volunteering for Habitat for Humanities. The Pensacola man wanted to accrue enough "sweat equity hours" to guarantee his family a Habitat home.
Rodriguez, who achieved this goal, has since died. But his story is one of many that live on in the pages of the newly released book, "Faces of Life," compiled by Covenant Hospice in Pensacola.
The 96-page hardback book is full of pictures and inspirational stories, told by the patients and their loved ones at the hospice. Each story appears with a black-and-white picture -- all taken by area photographers who freely donated their time to the project.
One of those photographers is Pensacola's Trista Blouin, said Don Ruth, public relations manager for Covenant Hospice.
Beginning Monday through Dec. 21, Blouin's work will be on display at an exhibit at the WUWF Gallery 88 at the University of West Florida. On Thursday during a reception, the professional children's photographer will sign copies of the book.
The one-woman photography exhibit is part of a nationwide campaign to celebrate National Hospice Month.
"We were looking for photographers and because she had a hospice experience with her grandmother, she wanted to give back," Ruth said. "All of the 18 photographs she took will be on display at the exhibit." Also, a CD of Blouin's pictures put to music will be available only on the day of her book-signing. Proceeds from sale of the book will be used for indigent patient care in the area and other special programs.
The free viewing will be open to the public during regular business hours at the gallery said Lynne Marshall, director of promotions and outreach of WUWF public media.
Though several other photographers participated in the project, "Trista happens to live here in Pensacola, that's why we're highlighting her work," Marshall said. "She does such beautiful work."
In a place where people think there is much sadness and depression, the hospice staff hopes the book will be a reminder that hospice is "not about how you die, but how you live."
Quint Studer, who wrote the forward to the book, said health care is about telling stories. And people tend to relate to those stories. The book, he said, captures the essence of hospice residents and their loved ones.
"You can't put more days into the lives we live, but the goal is to put more life into each day," said Studer, of the Studer Group, a health-care consultant group in Gulf Breeze. Because of hospice care, and thanks to Covenant Hospice in Pensacola, many people are getting quality care at the end of their lives, he said.
For Blouin, a 33-year-old mother of two small daughters, the chance to participate in the project offered some valuable life lessons.
"I feel very honored to have done this," Blouin said. "Even though I did this pro bono, I feel this was a priceless gift given to me by the participants in this book."
Associated Links:
Faces of Life: Covenant Hospice
