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Show Male volunteers bring new color to service "People sometimes get confused when they call for a Pink Lady and I show up," Keith Adamson laughed as he pushed a patient down to the X-ray X-ray department at the American Fork Hospital. Adamson is one of three male members of the Volunteer Auxiliary (Pink Ladies) at the American Fork Hospital. And while he doesn't exactly care to be called a pink lady, he says the group, now known as Volunteers, was known by that for so many years he doubts they will ever be known completely by anything else. "This has been women's territory mostly. I tell them I'm demanding equal rights now." he joked. "I tell them my name is Victor Victoria and I'm masquerading as a pink lady." LaRae Greenwood, director of volunteers at the hospital, said while the men volunteers don't care to be called pink ladies, they are a welcome addition to the group. Adamson helps out in the X-ray department, taking patients to-and-from the area, while Don Turner works in the hospital pharmacy area and Harry McTague assists in the recovery room area. Adamson, who usually wears a blue shirt, added, 'People call us blue boys or blue men. I just enjoy doing what little I can." Now 67. he retired three years ago after 35 years at U.S. Steel's Geneva Works. He said he got tired of just sitting around, and after he had some problems with his health his wife, already a Pink Lady, en- Keith Adamson takes American Fork Hospital patient to x-ray. He is one of three male volunteers at the hospital. couraged him to come down. "She thought it would be good for me to help others. I'm the one who gets the help. This is the best medicine 1 take. I can leave my problems in the parking lot and when 1 come out a lot ol limes Ihey have blown away ." Adamson. who looks like a cleanshaven clean-shaven Santa Claus. especially enjoys the children 'They come here and some ol them are frightened so I talk to them or show them tricks." He said when babies have to go to X-ray. he gets to put on a gown and mask and carry them in his arms. "1 feel it's a real privilege to be able to carry them in my arms." He recalled he was a messenger when he first began with the volunteers. Now. if he isn't busy helping in X-ray. he runs errands, delivers flower or mail if needed, or may even answer a call for a "pink lady." when it comes over the hospital inter-com. S-e Hl l'K MKN on pane :i Is 5 Blue men - J' Continued from front page i "That's when they often do a lt double-take," he said. . Ili He also trys to drop in and visit 0 patients who might not have anyone 4 come, "especially if it is someone I know. "Sometimes people are really frightened when they come in -especially older people - and I talk to them, try to assure them they will be okay." ,ji Adamson said he works every Tuesday and Friday, usually for jj four hours, but longer if they need him, he said. ,j( Mrs. Greenwood said volunteers at the hospital logged 16,230 hours of ,,i service in 1986. The pink ladies are the women hospital volunteers. Conspicuous throughout the hospital in their pink tops, they donate their time, helping wherever they can. "They haven't succeeded in getting me in a pink shirt and they probably never will," Adamson said. "I tell them with all these roses around, they need a thorn." Most people don't think he is a thorn, however - just a rose of a different color. "All the nurses and everyone around here just love him," Mrs. Greenwood said. Adamson said he would encourage anyone especially men - to serve as a volunteer. "You get a natural high here, serving others," he said. |