Charity DVD
Symponia really does care about the welfare and treatment of our elderly citizens, and in addition to helping families with the financial aspects, Symponia wants to make a difference to the attitudes we have towards ageing in general and ultimately the potential need for care.
![[Virginia McKenna - A Film by Amanda Waring - What Do You See?]](/images/whatdoyousee.jpg)
We found a poem in a nursing home in 1989, and almost without fail it makes us (and our members cry).
We are delighted to say that this very poem has now been made into a Charity DVD, it has been directed by Actress/Director Amanda Waring, and the film is dedicated to Amanda’s late mother, the fabulous actress Dame Dorothy Tutin.
National treasure Virginia McKenna O.B.E takes the lead role, and plays the part of a poorly old lady, who after a stroke now resides in a care home, extremely (if not hauntingly) well; as you can imagine we can’t watch this DVD without getting emotional... but, it is a fabulous piece of film, and I would urge everyone in the country to obtain a copy.
Symponia members are going to be giving them as gifts to their local care homes, and some of these homes have already used them in their own staff training sessions. Not only can it help the home with training, it really is a great way for us all to appreciate that residents of care homes were not born old and poorly.
We believe that nurse Phyllis McCormack, who wanted to create a greater feeling of compassion and care for the staff looking after elderly and infirm people, wrote this wonderful poem in 1966.
What Do You See?
What do you see nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking when you are looking at me -
A crabbit old woman, not very wise,
uncertain of habit with far away eyes.
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
when you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do.
And forever is losing a stocking or a shoe.
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will.
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you are thinking? -- Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
as I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten, with a father and mother,
brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet;
A bride soon at 20, my heart gives a leap,
remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At 25 now I have young of my own
who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At 50 once more babies play, round my knee
again we know children my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look to the future, I shudder with dread.
My young are all busy, rearing young of their own,
and I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel,
‘tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart.
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcase a young girl still dwells,
and now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
and I'm loving and living all over again.
And I think of the years all too few - gone too fast
and accept the stark fact that nothing will last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
not a crabbit old woman,
look closer,
SEE ME!
"It was a great privilege to play the part of Elsie in What Do You See? It is hard for older people to be removed from the life they knew, feeling at times useless, not needed and isolated.
"It is hard too for the carers of the elderly who endure the pressure and lack of time that too often comes with nursing and care. I hope this film will open eyes, touch hearts and ensure a kinder, more understanding future for all."
Virginia McKenna OBE
The (private & non-commercial) DVD costs £11.49 and is available by sending your name & address together with your cheque (made payable to Looking for Magic Limited), to:
Becketts,
Tripp Hill
Fittleworth
West Sussex
RH20 1ER
Also take a look at Amanda’s own web site www.amandawaring.com.
All proceeds from the DVD will be split between Help the Aged and Macmillan Cancer Relief, both organisations helped Amanda care for her mother.