Almost Like Family
Date: October 27, 2008

In so many ways Vivian was no different than the other patients who come to Floyd for physical therapy, but in this instance she and her therapist, Jos Kramer, connected.

“It was a natural thing,” Jos said. “We sort of clicked right off the bat. I gave her my arm, and she said it’s almost like walking down the aisle. From that point on, she has been with us. She is delightful.”
A retired Floyd Medical Center nurse, Vivian was one of the original Harbin Clinic staff nurses, and she entertained Jos with stories of her career.

When an appointment ran late and the sun had set, Jos offered to drive Vivian home. When Vivian revealed that she no longer had family to depend on; Jos offered his help. When she needed someone to take her to the doctor, Jos would drive.

“She would always say, ‘Robine doesn’t mind us hanging out together, doe she?”
Robine, Jos’ wife, did not mind. Robine helped Vivian as well, taking her to appointments and shopping.
“We really took a liking to her,” Robine said.

The feeling was mutual.

Come Christmas, Vivian invited herself to the Kramers’ for the holiday. After that, she became a regular visitor. Jos even built a ramp at his house to make it easier for her to visit.

As the friendship grew, Jos began doing more and more for Vivian, repairing things around her house, building adaptive items to help her maintain her independence at home and inviting her to be a part of family celebrations.

For her most recent birthday, the Kramers planned a party for Vivian. Their daughters gave her a beauty treatment and manicure.

“They put makeup all over her face, and she loved every moment of it,” Robine said.

Ten years after their friendship first bloomed, Jos continues to shower Vivian with love and attention. Now 99, Vivian lives in a nursing home, and Jos continues to look after her. If she is admitted to the hospital, Jos and his family visit and help manage her medical needs.

“It is almost like family,” Robine said.

Some people would call it family or friendship. At Floyd, we call it living out our mission.

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