Help Bring Smiles To Faces With #PicturesForPatients

During challenging times, we have the ability to inspire hope within each other.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep hospital patients, long-term care residents and staff as safe as possible, area health-care facilities throughout the Lehigh Valley have adopted strict visitor restrictions.

It’s a necessary infection control measure — but it’s also a stark difference for patients and residents who are accustomed to in-person visits or want their loved ones by their sides as they recover from strokes, spinal cord injuries or traumatic injuries.

In line with its mission to “inspire hope,” Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is spearheading a social media effort — dubbed #PicturesForPatients — that encourages kids (and adults, too) from the Lehigh Valley and beyond to draw, color or paint pictures for Good Shepherd’s adult and pediatric patients and long-term care residents in Allentown and Bethlehem. The goal is to increase positivity and uplift others in this time of uncertainty — plus, give an added boost to the doctors, nurses, therapists and other health-care professionals as they walk through the halls or into rooms.

“It’s another way to help take a patient and their family to a better place mentally,” Executive Director Frank Hyland, MS, PT, told Lehigh Valley Business. “When you have a catastrophic injury, it’s devastating. You are thinking, ‘Will I be able to walk? Have a child? Are my dreams crushed forever?’ I don’t believe in false hope, but in real hope.”

Good Shepherd’s goal is to receive one piece of artwork for every patient and resident.

Noah Plominski, 3, of Quakertown (pictured above), shows off his #PicturesForPatients artwork submission. Noah’s mom, Jen Schueck, is an occupational therapist with Good Shepherd Pediatrics.

How to Submit #PicturesForPatients

1. Draw/color/paint a picture for Good Shepherd’s patients, long-term care residents, staff and families — whatever you think can bring a smile or provide an added boost.
2. Take a photo of the artwork.
3. Post your photos in the comment section on social media or email them to communications@gsrh.org.

We’ll share your artwork/photos on our social media accounts for all to see — plus, we are hanging them up for our patients, residents and staff to enjoy.

We can’t wait to see what you create. #GoodShepherdProud #PicturesForPatients