Coffee in my right hand, keys in my left hand, luggage in the trunk, ready to go. The road is my way, and the car is my home. That's how I would describe my life at this point. What I really like is that I have the chance to meet new people, make new friends and see new places.
Being a carer isn't just about doing your job and that's it, it's not just about staff that, medication, time on the clock and lots of visits. No, it's much more than that. Being a carer means being involved in the lives of your patients, it means being part of their lives, even if for a short time, it means making a difference. Most of the time we get immersed in our work and leave aside the important things. I will tell you briefly what it means to me to be a carer.
I've had the good fortune o travel on several projects, I've been to Guildford, Torquay, Poole, each time meeting new people, new colleagues, new places. I am fascinated by how many beautiful places there are in England, and I am very happy because I have the opportunity through my jpb to discover many new places. I have had the opportunity to meet hundreds of people, to listen to so many stories that if I were to start writing books I would have so much to write those ten volumes would not be enough. I have had the chance to have all kinds of experiences, to be happy and laugh, to listen to jokes and mischief made by my patients, to sap lang and be sad, but most of all I have had the chance to knowkindness, pain, and happiness.
For me, being a carer means always thinking positive, letting go of the fear of the new and dedicating yourself to what you do. It means opening up and listening, laughing and crying, cuddling and hugging. Do you know what a difference a kind word makes? Do you know how much a hug given when it's needed heals? Do you know how much a handshake means?
I'm leaving Poole today, going back to my project. I said goodbye to my patients, laughed and joked. They all smiled and wished me well, I also cried today. I cried because you never think someone can get too attached to a stranger. Yes, we are strangers to them and yet we are not strangers at all. If I think about what it means to me to be a carer, it means in short to be the help they need, when they need it. We make a difference!
There are days when I'm so tired that I would just lie in bed, but after I get to the first patient, I'm full of energy. The day is more beautiful, the living is more beautiful, the moment, of the moment is the most important. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's easy, the important thing is to find that balance that keeps you engaged. If you asked me a year ago if this is what I wanted to do, I would have said I didn't think so. If you ask me now, I'll tell you that I'm happy I chose to do this and I don't think I could see myself doing anything else.
Light from the light, that's who we are, we are the young people they once were, we are the ray of light in their lives, and they are the light that makes our day!