TLCHomecare

Becoming a caregiver By: MaryAlice Callahan I became a caregiver because I knew that it was a career that I would be great at.  I worked on Hematology/Oncology for a few years and would see people that needed my help, but because I was a secretary and not a licensed caregiver I was not allowed to help.  It really bothered me because I saw the hurt and pain in their eyes and I would want so badly to be able to fulfill their request, big or small.   After my years at the hospital, I became a Medical assistant for an OB/GYN in South Burlington. I worked alongside with her, and again was in the presence of people who at times needed  tremendous support, and this time I was able to help them.  I also worked as a cosmetic laser tech in her office, and I loved the feeling when they saw their acne scars erased or spider veins that have embarrassed them forever disappear. I felt that there was an intimate exchange of energy between myself and them.  There was the look of Thank you, i

Becoming an LNA By: Angeline J Hemple My story in a nutshell on why I feel I am who I am today. When I was a child, I noticed I always had a sensitive side, mostly with Animals. Where I grew up the kids were not so nice so I stuck to myself a lot. But I wanted to be sweet and cheerful and I felt sad because I couldn't be those things. I was told I had to be tough, Not to show my sensitive side so other kids wouldn't think different of me. I lived basically in a wooded area growing up and it was full of life. A place where I could be me. I pretended to be a doctor and would go in the woods and build a fort from whatever I could find. When I finished my task, I would go find nature animals, knowing how dangerous it could be. But I didn't see it like that. I always knew there is a danger in whatever it is you do. But I was not afraid. And that’s where I found my first patient, a baby bird that fell out his nest by the river. I knew the rules if you touch it, mom would n

Becoming an LNA By: Stacy Poulin For me the choices of becoming an LNA was that the time.... not even being a choice but a decision,  I took on the task of  bringing an uncle to see his sister who was also my grandmother. She had fallen ill and was at Fletcher Allen Medical Center. She had been there for a little over a week and he had no way to go see her because he never acquired his driver's license so he called me to ask: Stacy will you please bring me to see Sid. Of course I said, and then it's when we got there and I evaluated the situation. I then questioned and asked her doctors if she was okay. They politely told me there was nothing more they could do.  It was her COPD.  When I explained this to my uncle he looked heartbroken. I went  to speak to my grandmother alone keeping in mind she had been there for me all my life, whom I had loved and cherished all my life. And she said to me I just want to go home. At that moment you can see the light bulb went off. I

Why I became a caregiver? By: Beverly Hughes Being a caregiver has been my passion in life. I started giving care when I was just 12 years old. That was a good 19 years ago, but it feels like it was just the other day. Back then, I would typically spend nights and weekend at my best friend’s house. Her mom had live-in clients. My thinking then could be explained in two short sentences: Wow, I can't wait for Friday. And then, TGIF, I get to spend the weekends staying up late, watching movies and having limited or no rules. While all this seemed to be the life, it wasn't until one night when I heard a little old lady praying and thanking God just how thankful she was to have a caregiver. Some time went on and I didn't think much of it. Until one day, that same little old lady took my hand and said "dear someday this will be your mom". From that day on, I provided care in any way I could, to anybody in need. Brushing dentures and washing urinated clothes

I became a caregiver out of necessity when my husband died, and I had to sell our business.  I needed to find a job to supplement the social security benefit I was getting as a widow with two young children. I had been driving a bus for the local school as a little side job. A job that was thrust upon me because of the need. It seems good bus drivers are hard to get and hard to keep. Without any formal education and not having the time to go back to school, I took the LNA course offered by the local nursing home. In six weeks, I was trained and hired by the nursing home. The flexible hours allowed me to be home with my kids during the day and still drive the bus. I worked there for six months, but their schedule interfered with my school bus schedule, so I left the nursing home and went private. Being bilingual in French and English gave me an advantage in the Northeast Kingdom where the population largely constitutes French-speakers. After a while, I realized that there was more tha

When did I determine that caring for others in the nursing profession was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? Between birth and elementary school age, I required several surgeries at two large hospitals. It was here, between the ages of four and nine that I watched the nurses do their everyday work. As a child, I was excited by the human body, and realized that I had a love for the health care profession. I was given the opportunity to do some community service in ninth grade. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a candy striper in a rehabilitation facility. I remember my first day at the center dressed from head to toe in a red and white candy striper uniform. I remember sitting on the edge of Maggie’s bed and despite her glass eye that wandered around, was focused on her detailed stories of her past. I was captivated. She would share with me how happy she was to see me every week and I felt incredibly special. I felt like I was doing something good with my life, and I fe