Ever seen “The Intern”? It stars Anne Hathaway and Robert DeNiro. In the film, DeNiro plays a widow named Ben who eventually realizes retiring probably wasn’t the best decision, so he signs up for an internship with Jules (Hathaway) who runs an online fashion site. It only makes sense that an office filled with adults in their twenties and thirties would respond skeptically to the idea of a senior (read: seventy years old) intern.
Amazingly, DeNiro’s character proves them all wrong and, through his charm, wisdom, and strong work ethic, manages to positively shift vibes and perspectives along the way.
In real life, one senior in particular walks the same path – sort of.
Unconventional volunteer work landed this kind gentleman a role like no other.
He may not have signed up as an intern for a goal-getter girl boss like DeNiro did in the film, but this senior citizen has touched thousands of lives with his nurturing support. Like a doting grandfather, he tirelessly helps care for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Meet David Deutchman, “the baby whisperer”.
Nicknamed fondly by the nurses at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital, David has the impressive ability to soothe newborns has proven helpful in the development and recovery of prematurely born babies.
Babies who need to be in the special-care nursery for a bit longer are always in good hands. Attending doctors and nurses do what they can to ensure that these little ones are given the care and attention they need to develop well. As much as the parents of prematurely born babies wish to stay with their children in the neonatal intensive care unit, maternity and paternity leave policies do not permit them to do so.
But thanks to David’s time and dedication, babies are given the warmth and comfort they need.
Premature babies may miss out on the sensory experiences of late gestation but a gentle touch does wonders, especially for the little ones who have had to undergo painful medical procedures as part of keeping them strong and healthy while they wait it out a bit longer in the NICU. Research shows that brain responses to gentle touch were stronger in prematurely born babies who had more physical contact with parents or hospital staff. (Source: New Scientist)
And because David has been a “baby buddy” for over 12 years, it’s no surprise he has the entire “comfort and nurture” thing down pat.
When a nurse puts a crying baby in his arms, it takes no time until David is able to get the baby to stop crying.
It’s a beautiful thought that David could very well be doing whatever he wanted, but he willingly shares his time for the recovery, comfort, and safety of innocent newborns instead. The love he brings into his role is highly beneficial for him, too. After all, what could make you feel better than giving back and devoting your time to an act so selfless and pure? No wonder David seems to have such a cheery and positive disposition.
“If you are a retiree, I would say you get off your butt and do something. Volunteer doing something. There are a lot of different ways of doing it,” he declares.
David could have gone for other volunteer work but clearly, this is what he’s meant for.
Watch the video below for more of his incredibly adorable service.
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