‘A life in your hands’ is a poem that hangs in the children’s ward at the Queen Victoria Hospital (where Val did her burns training). The children’s ward is called ‘Peanuts’ because the locals sold peanuts to raise the money to build the ward in the early 1950s. During Val’s training at the Queen Victoria Hospital this poem held true to Val and she now passes this beautiful poem onto the parents of children in her clinic. Val also plans to have this painted on the wall of her new clinic after building completion.
If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If as child lives with fairness, He learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.
Written by Dorothy Law Holte
