Photographer's Assistant

In reply to the email in the previous post, I responded that I am a beginner and realize it will take me years to even feel comfortable applying to be a volunteer photographer.  I received a reply suggesting that I be a photographer's assistant for the foundation.  I would find an associated photographer in my area and see if they would allow me to be their assistant, then once someone agrees, I apply to be that person's assistant for NILMDTS.  I love that idea, especially in getting experience for eventually being the photographer myself.  The only reason I haven't done it yet is that I would need to be able to drop everything and go to the hospital at a moment's notice and right now my own children are my top priority and I can't guarantee my availability.  But hopefully sometime soon I will feel good about being an assistant!