Carla W.

I am happily married for more than 15 years and have 2 almost grown boys. My oldest is in his 3rd year of college and my youngest is in high-school. Both of my children have special needs. When I became a mom I was not prepared for the days ahead, but the Lord is gracious and we learned how to handle life one day at a time. I believe that raising my boys has taught me many lessons that I use with those I care for; for example, there is more than one way to do something, if we can't do something the normal way then we adapt. Being a caregiver is something I chose to start in my 40s. In my early life I was an interpreter for the deaf and blind and then worked in an attorneys office as their disabilities advocate for people who were applying for government disability. I loved both of these jobs and learned valuable life lessons from each; patience, for example. In my late 30s my mom got breast cancer. We had caregiver after caregiver come in to help her. Before this I had assumed that the title caregiver meant that the best care possible would be provided while they were there. Unfortunately I was wrong. I was appalled at some of the things I saw happen. I finally quit my job and became my mom's caregiver. I learned on the job the things I needed to know about her medical situation. I cared for her full time for 3 years until she passed. After a couple years (about a year of depression from the loss of my mom who was my best friend and a year of reflection on my life and what I wanted) I decided to find a way to help others. It has always brought me joy when I could make someone feel better or smile. I want to provide the kind of care that I would would expect for my own family. When I am caring for someone they will be treated just like my own loved one. I provide them with level of care that I would expect for my mom. And I try to make them smile every time we meet. I believe that laughter is the best medicine.