May 21, 2014: Immunization Clinic in the Amish Community

Today, Shari Resnick and I were able to go with the nursing supervisor, Pat Krehn, and another nurse, Christie, to the Amish community in Holton, Michigan. It isn't too far from Hesperia and Fremont. Shari had never been to the Amish area in Muskegon, so this was a real treat for her. I had been to the Amish Country Store a few times, but never drove around the Amish neighborhood. We rode in a county van, which turned over its mileage to 100,000, while we were driving. Pat has been giving shots in the Amish community for about 20 years. She has worked hard to convince them how important it is to get vaccinated against diseases. We went to Meadowview School and set up a clinic to administer the MMR shot for around 60 people. It is a one room school house which educates children from first through eighth grades. When we arrived, the Amish, dressed in their fashion, all looked at us as if we were from another country. The children are all so cute and well behaved. It was a little chaotic in the beginning as everyone had to fill out registration forms. Some of the families had 8 or more children. They were all very kind. There were a few teary eyed children after receiving their vaccine, however, they were 100 percent better than the kids we vaccinate in our health department, who can often be screaming or running around. I think many of the kids we normally vaccinate could use a summer boot camp in the Amish community, in order to be well mannered. I found out today that if an Amish man has a beard, then it means he is married. Also, found out that when they have a dinner, the men and boys are served first, followed by the teenagers, children, mothers, and then the elderly. We stopped in the Amish Country store, which was rebuilt after having been burned in a fire last year. We all had lunch together at the Russ's Restaurant on Holton Rd. I had the reuben soup which was wonderful. That may be my new favorite soup there.