Making a difference without saying a word

By Barbara Brown
When visitors see Lori Rayer walk through the halls of Green Acres Country Care Center, they may not believe their ears.
Possibly the most animated person in Green Acres, Rayer brings happiness and energy into each room and makes the staff and residents alike enjoy their days just a little more.
And Rayer, who volunteers at the center at least 24 hours per week, does it all without making a sound.
Rayer, who moved to North Branch about two years ago, is deaf.
She started volunteering at Green Acres in July 2001 and just last week was named volunteer of the year for the Minnesota Housing and Health Alliance district of which Green Acres is a member.
Green Acres has about 200 volunteers of all ages, according to volunteer coordinator Christi Fisk.
Each year, the member elder care centers in Minnesota are sent a packet for nominations for volunteer of the year, said Green Acres activities director Liz Schwab.
She said when she received this yearís packet, she could think of no one more deserving than Rayer.
ìI compiled a letter and asked the other department heads to give letters about her too about the things she does,î Schwab said.
Through interpretation of social service director Ellie Nelson, Rayer talks to the staff and residents at Green Acres, but mostly she depends on her animated expressions and lip reading to get ideas across to others.
ìI didnít even mention that Lori is deaf until the end of the letter because I knew she would be picked based on the amount of things she helps with,î Schwab said.
ìShe just gives freely of her self and I think it doesnít have anything to do with being deaf. She shows that even if you have a disability, you can make a difference in the world.î
Rayer started volunteering to work with a woman named Joyce Peterson, a deaf resident of Green Acres.
Now, she spends her time visiting nearly everyone who lives at Green Acres, in physical therapy sessions, with group activities, in the beauty and barber shop, the business office and even helps the nurses if she can.
Keeping her busy
ìThey keep me very busy here,î Rayer said Monday.
ìWe just love her,î Fisk said. ìWe wish we had 20 of her here for all that she does for us.î
Rayer has taken the opportunity afforded her at Green Acres to teach others her way of communication ñ sign language.
Rayer has helped the staff learn some basic signs and even taught Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts how to sign songs. The Scouts have been to Green Acres to show residents there all they learned.
When she talks about teaching people sign language, Rayerís eyes flicker with a light of joy and she excitedly talks about how she would like to see other deaf people volunteer their time at Green Acres.
Rayer lives in North Branch with her son Jim and his family.
She has two grandchildren; Lily is six and Savannah is six months.
While her son knows a lot of sign language and is comfortable using it, Rayer said her daughter-in-law and Lily are still learning, but they are excited to learn new things.
She said when Lilyís friends have been to the house, Lily has taught them words for food and the bathroom.
Both Rayer and her late husband Richard were deaf but they had a hearing child.
Rayer said she is thrilled to see how much Savannah is absorbing about signing and communicating even at just six months old.
Rayer said she does not have any plans to change now that she has been recognized for her contribution to Green Acres.
ìIím just so shocked,î she said. ìI had no idea. I just was so shocked.î
She will continue to make residents and guests smile as she offers a hand or a funny story.
She will continue to make her rounds at lunch time and flick the lights in offices to get the staff to take a break.
And she will continue to reach out to people who want to learn something new through volunteering like the joy it brings to help other people.
ì(My family) is always asking what am I doing all the time,î Rayer said.
ìIím always on the move, but itís good to keep your mind and body going.î

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