Sharon M.

I've been an active caregiver for the past 15 years or so, both as a live-in and live-out caregiver. Most of my working experience comes from outside of the US. I started working as a caregiver because needed a job and earn money(do not let yourself fooled by anyone that says otherwise ) and as a single mom of three you can guess that i had no choice in choosing what i considered at that time that i would like. During the years i earned so much more than money. I started out with a job and ended up with having more and more family members as each and one of the patients that i assisted become in some way my mother/father, my daughter/son and a challenge to build up my empathic skills . Ended up understanding that caregiving is not a JOB although it's paid. You treat not just people but a very fragile class of people. They definitely need our assistance in daily chores but that is not enough , they need somebody that does not define them only trough their disability. Caregiving it's not just about taking care of a body it is a 360 degree assistance which consider the person in a holistic way (body,mind and spirit) As a caregiver i might fail in some chores(nobody is perfect) but one thing that i am proud of is that as much as i could i tried to bring joy. Hard but necessary was when I had to assist patients in an point where life comes to an end. In some cases I sing their favourite song, hold a hand, give a caress to the person in need and explain to family members that it is perfectly normal to be scared or to suffer and to assure them that they are not alone.

My great traits are I am patient, I am a great listener, I know when and how to use therapeutic communication I am compassionate I am dependable and I enjoy caring for people. What attracted me to become a caregiver is the fact that I love people and I love to help others. Helping others has always been a great part of my life and it gives meaning to my life. Any time I am feeling down that is when I go help others and it makes me forget my own problems and allow me to be greatful and thankful. Because no matter how bad my situation my seems there is always someone else out there who's life is far more complicated than mines. What I enjoy the most about being a caregiver is that it makes me appreciate life more and the people who are in it. I love how much I can learn and have learned form my patients and most of all I enjoy the fact that I can help someone get through a rough stage in their lives. A personal achievement that I am proud of is 1 having my daughter and 2 going back to school to get degree in nursing. Which I am almost at the finish line so I am super proud of myself.