Back to Top The power of a hug… and a mug - The Ottawa Hospital
 

The power of a hug… and a mug

 
Woman in winter coat carrying five Heart Hug mugs

Caring for patients with acquired brain injuries can sometimes take a heavy toll. This work often involves supporting families as they adjust to the new reality that the brain injury has taken away the person they once knew.  Before COVID, the team at the Acquired Brain Injury Inpatient Unit (ABI) at The Ottawa Hospital’s Rehabilitation Centre would find comfort in coming together to talk after a tough day –  and to share the occasional hug. 

When the pandemic hit, social distancing protocols prevented staff comforting one another in the same way.  They could only lend an ear to one another from six feet apart – a far cry from a warm hug.

Stacey Smith, a behavioral therapist who has worked at The Ottawa Hospital for 19 years, recently wrote to Christina Stapper, potter and owner of CMS Pottery, with an idea.

Woman in winter coat carrying five Heart Hug mugs

“I thought, what if I could gift my colleagues with a handmade hug mug – something as beautiful and unique as they are to show what they mean to me and what they bring to the table – something to show that while we may be physically-distanced, we are not alone,” says Stacey.

Touched by Stacey’s letter, Christina launched the ‘Heart Hug Mug’ Campaign at CMS Pottery on February 1.  She created 40 specially-designed mugs featuring red 3D hearts.  Each mug was unique – just like the people they were made for.

Photo collage of staff from The Ottawa Hospital displaying their Heart Hug mug
When COVID put an end to hugs, a local potter created unique Heart Hug mugs to remind staff at The Ottawa Hospital that the community supports them.

For each Heart Hug mug purchased by the public, CMS Pottery would donate one mug to ABI unit staff. Heart Hug mug sales and support soared; 40 mugs were sold in the first 39 minutes of the campaign. Now, all 40 members of the ABI unit have their very own Heart Hug mug, thanks to Stacey.

Two hospital staff sitting at a table holding their Heart Hug mugs.
The fundraiser by CMS Pottery was a runaway success.  Forty Heart Hug mugs were sold in the first 39 minutes.

Stacey wrote this special note to each ABI Heart Hug mug recipient: “When you wrap your hands around your mug, know that I have my arms around you.”

Sending you all the hugs, Ward C!

 
Comment

Comment on this post

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*


You might also like…

Nursing graduate receives ceremonial pin from her mentor

The Ottawa Hospital is proud to carry on the “pinning” ceremony to mark a nursing student’s transition into the profession. Read this heartwarming story of how one nursing student received a pin from someone very special to her.

Second Chance: Don’s song for the people who saved his life

Making music has always been a big part of Don’s life, so when the staff and doctors at The Ottawa Hospital saved him from the brink of death, he could think of no better way to thank them.

“Stewards of hormones”: Our Gender Diversity Specialty Clinic guides medically complex patients on their affirmation journey

Often, trans and non-binary patients struggle to find health-care providers to support them on their affirmation journey. It is even more difficult for patients with complex medical needs. That’s why we launched our Gender Diversity Specialty Clinic, one of the first of its kind in Canada.

From pets to Pictionary: How our nurses build incredible teamwork

They might not grow playoff beards or dump Gatorade on their managers’ heads after a big win, but our nurses take teamwork just as seriously as professional athletes. Learn how six of our award-nominated nursing teams stay united and ready to face any challenge.

The Ottawa Hospital turns 25: A few things you might not know about the National Capital’s largest health-care provider

Let’s turn back the clock to 1998. It was the year that Apple debuted the iMac, Google was launched to the world, and Canadian readers first met Harry Potter. But did you know that our community also marked a major milestone that year? Learn more about how TOH came to be–along with some other cool things about our hospital.

A special video message for International Women’s Day

Every year on March 8, we recognize International Women’s Day to celebrate how far we have come with equal rights and opportunities for women, and to acknowledge how far we still have left to go. This video is a short-but-sweet reminder that the women who work for our organization are driven, caring, innovative and powerful.

This website gives you common facts, advice and tips. Some of it may not apply to you. Please talk to your doctor, nurse or other health-care team member to see if this information will work for you. They can also answer your questions and concerns.