Nurse LaDonna Telford Turned Her Fear of Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic into Joy by Jumping Rope
The word “essential” has become a part of our everyday vocabulary because of our everyday heroes. Thousands of essential workers are going to work with the fear of the unknown. Nurse LaDonna Telford is one of the many essential workers that experienced anxiety through this time, but she’s taken her doubts and turned them into joy through jumping rope.
Telford was terrified of infecting her family at home, which made her question if she should continue to work or not. Instead of running away from her fear, Telford finally picked up her jump rope that had been sitting on her porch for months, and jumped. She chose to jump rope after seeing a video of a friend online jumping.
For laughs, Telford had her son record her while she jumped, then she posted it to Facebook. That one video turned into Telford and friends creating the Facebook page Jump Rope Squad - JUMP FOR JOY, which has over 30,000 members.
“It feels good that they are jumping with me around the world,” Telford said. “It’s not just me getting this joy.”
“I still get the same joys I did when I first picked up the rope,” she added.
LaDonna Telford. (Picture provided by LaDonna Telford)
The Facebook page is filled with inspiring words and videos of people sharing their experiences of jumping rope. Both women and men participate in the group from all age groups. The goal of the group is to not lose weight, even though some members use it for that, but it’s to spark happiness.
Some members of the group haven’t jumped for years and when they do, it reminds them of their childhood.
Within three days of making the group, Telford had made shirts for the members to wear while jumping. They’re currently sold out, but she plans on restocking soon.
The group has become one big family. According to a post made by Monette Harmon, an admin of the page, Jump for Joy “was created to bring people all over the world together during this crisis while motivating them to stay active through jumping rope or hula hooping.”
Members are encouraged to post pre-recorded videos of themselves jumping, unless a competition is being held. During the first week of May, members will be challenged to go live and jump for 160 seconds nonstop for prizes.
Even with competitions, the goal isn’t to compete but to enjoy in one another’s happiness.
“This group is exactly what it says,” Telford said about including the word “joy” in the name. “[It’s about] being at your happy place. Whatever your happy place may be.”
Pictures provided by LaDonna Telford
Now that her fear and anxiety of working has calmed down, Telford enjoys her time at work.
“When I’m at work, I’m totally okay because I know I’m taking care of my patients. As long as I’m working, I’m okay.”
Before entering her home, Telford undresses in the garage and heads straight to the bathroom to shower. According to Telford, she’s not in the house more than 1 minute before she’s in the shower washing off.
As the group continues to grow and thrive, Telford eventually wants to host a jump rope block party. Although she’s based in Phoenix, most of her members are from Milwaukee because that’s where she’s from. The first block party will be held in Milwaukee. She plans on blocking off a few streets because she expects a big turnout. She wants to have an ice cream and popcorn truck and hula hoops available for those who participate. The block party is aimed towards adults, but everyone is welcome.
Telford hopes others will join in on the movement by picking up a rope and jumping for joy.
“I feel good encouraging people,” she said.