Have you ever met someone who has had a great impact on you?
By caramello
@caramello (4377)
Australia
December 20, 2006 5:28pm CST
I would have to say yes, I did many years ago when I did my nursing training. Our "Matron" was Vivien Bullwinkel and she was an Australian war hero who was a survivor in WW2 and they made a movie regarding her story called "Paradise Road" I think if I remember correctly, her role was played by Glenn Close. She still had parts of a bullet inside her leg and walked with a slight limp, but to me she was an amazing lady and to this day, a hero. Can anyone share something like this, someone that may have left an impact in their life like this!
4 people like this
9 responses
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
22 Jan 07
Like some of your other discussions caramello, I thought this one would get a lot of responses, and that thought has proven me wrong!!
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
25 Dec 06
I don't know if I would have wanted her as one of my nursing instructors! Nursing school was bad enough without having a WWII matron as an instructor. It sounds as if you are lucky to have known her. I have met a lot of amazing people throughout my nursing career; a lot of brave people and loving families dealing with cancer and for the past 6 years dealing with HIV/AIDS. I can't think of any one person in particular, other than my parents who, even today, are my biggest and best support system. I give them credit for everything that I am and that I have accomplished.
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
25 Dec 06
You are truly lucky to have your family support as sadly these days it is not always the case. And the courage some people display that suffer these illnesses is to be admired. Thank-you for sharing this.
@BELMCstar (1341)
• Australia
21 Dec 06
I have found a friend online whom I have not met in person, but I appreciate the fact that they are very similar to me.
We are both married with three children who are about the same age as each other.
We have been through very similar things when we were growing up, and I am sure that we will get a chance to meet, although we live in completely different parts of the country.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
24 Dec 06
How lucky are you caramello to meet Vivien Bullwinkel who was such an inspiration to many both during World War II and subsequent to that. I am sure that she might have been strict, as Matrons were in those days, but also a very compassionate person.
I once had a boss who was very good, and many people would not have realised that he was actually one of the owners of the Company. He was basically a shy and very private person but also very understanding and supportive of his staff. He had been with the company for many years and personally knew many of the old employees, factory and staff alike. Every day he would take some time to go out onto the factory floor and talk to people about various things. This endeared him to everyone of course. He also remembered special events, anniversaries, birthdays, how long people had been with the company, details of their families.
Truly he set a standard that many tried to achieve and by his attitude he proved that it didn't matter how much money a person had, or their position in the company everyone was equally important, because without each other nobody would have anything.
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
24 Dec 06
I have some great photos of those days of myself with her and some other staff, she was the best Matron one could wish to have.
Bosses like the one you described ossie are those you never seem to forget as it is not just about the work side of things but actually taking notice and caring for the people that worked for him. What a great man! Thank-you for your response ossie, have a great day!
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
24 Dec 06
I was attending a business school and was very depressed with my life at the time. My guidence teacher called me into his office. He was very deformed, and typed with a pen in his mouth. He drooled as his head layed on it's side. This is too long to go into, but his inner beauty of love and concern for me made such an impact on my life. He said, "you are such a beautiful women, you have the world at your finger tips. Look at me, who would want to be with me?" My heart broke. He was so kind, almost like Beauty and the Beast noval. This man made a big impact in my life, and this happened over 40 years ago. He was my angel.
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
25 Dec 06
That is such a lovely story margieanne and thank-you for sharing it, it is times like that one never forgets, and often you can look back and see what importance that it made. Thank-you for your response.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
25 Dec 06
Thank you for the + rating too. And I am glad you enjoyed what I wrote. This man will always be beautiful in my heart. He saved my life.
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
21 Dec 06
I can see how that could impact on you...sounds like she was a very motivated woman. When I was a young lad the next door neighbour once said "son if you learn nothing else in life remember this"... "Money makes money".."hard work only makes you tired and hungry"!! hahaha how right he was!!
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
20 Dec 06
So he would be the reason you keep working, not a bad idea I guess! Thank-you for your response.
@DeeBloomers (688)
• United States
21 Dec 06
Yes I do have someone like that. She saved my life and is to this day my very best and dearest friend.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
21 Dec 06
yes, I met one girl, who did not have arms and she was painting with her lips and legs....
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
24 Dec 06
I have seen some great work from a patient I nursed who was paralysed from the neck down and used to paint with his mouth, very amazing talent. Thank-you for your response.
