Treo 650 helping trust

[From Peter] I own a Treo 650. I use it for everything and, as a result, it's crammed with stuff that I should have gotten rid of a long time ago. A good thing. It's with me wherever I go. A good thing, too, especially in this case:

My dad has had Parkinson's disease for about 17 years. He has been living with my family for the past eight but, recently, had to go to a nursing home because his needs are now simply too great. This has been a tough time for me and the family.

I visit my dad often, and the Treo has been a wonderful tool in this, bringing the family to him, by way of videos and pictures, when my children cannot come with me.

The significance of this crystalized in a recent event. Dad came down with pneumonia last week. An older person, afflicted with a chronic disease especially, can suffer delirium if he or she becomes otherwise ill. That is what has happened to Dad. He's lost, confused, and, unfortunately, not trusting anyone in that state. He's been refusing medication, thinking that people are out to hurt him. Much to my surprise, he wasn't sure of my motives either.

With my Treo, I was able to regain Dad's trust. The videos and pictures that I showed him calmed him down. Soon after this, he began to accept the anti-biotic that would treat his lung infection. I have never been more thankful of my little toy. I suspect it now, truly, has "life-saver" status.