FREMONT, Neb. (KMTV) — 26-year-old Nicole Gundersen says she has the mind and soul of a 60-year-old woman. She finds peace in crocheting, "it brings my anxiety level down so I'm able to feel more enjoyment out of every day to day activities."
She says she has social anxiety, "which means I have a hard time differentiating between inappropriate and appropriate conversations." Her anxiety has made it tough to cope with autoimmune diseases and other health issues. She is no stranger to the hospital.
Staff at Methodist Fremont Health wanted to help her find ways to decrease her anxiety. Medical Social Worker Karen Baber says, "it's not just about her medical needs, there are so many other barriers in her life. I think when you're doing something that makes you feel good mentally, you feel good physically."
They suggested she make prayer shawls to be given to those on hospice or their loved ones to then lay over them.
Nicole said, "being able to make these prayer shawls for other people gives me a sense of purpose." She says prayers as she works. "I'm hoping it can make people feel that somebody out there knows how it feels to be in the hospital, and that somebody out there is thinking of them as well."
Methodist provides the yarn for Gundersen. She's made eight shawls and counting.
