I began at Sunshine as a senior in high school, completing my community service hours by helping in the pool. I remember one individual being so excited to see me that he ran toward me, cut across the corner of the pool and ended up falling in! That moment, although funny at the time, was one of my first experiences that showed me how meaningful the connections at Sunshine could be.
After high school, I became a DSP while attending nursing school. During those years, the individuals I supported taught me lessons about kindness, acceptance, patience, resilience and unconditional love.
After receiving my nursing license, I had opportunities to work elsewhere, but I chose to stay at Sunshine because it felt like family. Over the past 30 years, I have learned more than I ever imagined, and I continue to learn every day. What keeps me here is knowing that our work is about more than medical care. We help individuals live meaningful lives, experience the community, build independence and simply enjoy life.
Throughout the years, I have been privileged to share some of the most important moments in the lives of the individuals we support and their families, from helping families adjust when their children first come to Sunshine to being there when someone reaches the end of their life.
I remember caring for one gentleman for many years. While he was receiving hospice care, his father visited. When his son heard my voice, he immediately responded. His father looked at me and said, “He definitely knows who you are.”
That moment has stayed with me. Many of the individuals we support may not be able to communicate with words, but they communicate through their smiles, expressions, actions and the way they respond to people they trust.
I stay because of the individuals who have trusted me, taught me, challenged me, made me laugh and touched my heart.