(Oliver A. Bear)

Oliver Aloicious Bear

         Click Here for a Hug from Oliver

Hi! My name is Oliver and I've been a volunteer teddy bear for 13 years at the Hope Center at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. The Hope Center offers supportive care to patients and families that are going through tough times.

In 1996 I met a young man in the hospital named Bobby. He lived with HIV, juvenile diabetes, and kidney disease. He said sometimes everyone needs hope, no matter what kind of medical problem they have. That's when I became his friend and a Hope Center volunteer. Maybe you can use a little hope too. We can be friends for life if you'll have me.

I'm not much trouble at all except I fall out of bed a lot. The only thing I really need is to be hugged every day because sometimes I get depressed and even I need hope!

My favorite foods are jelly beans and peanut butter. I like to ride on IV poles, Harley motorcycles and also cuddle and watch television. Twinkles is my best friend-she's a butterfly and likes to sit on my nose and tell me secrets when I'm not working.

Just so you know about my training and experience-I have volunteered all over the United States and I went to London and Australia too. Plus, I traveled to California to talk with first-graders who were learning how children and adults living with serious illnesses can still have hope-because

Hope is the Belief in Possibilities!

P. S. You can also use me as a pillow if you have a stiff neck!

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