"I have been welcomed into people's lives and homes, formed friendships, learnt numerous skills and discovered positive aspects of my personality that weren't required or developed in previous vocations."
If I'm honest I would say that l always saw disabled people as being different, I’d never known any personally nor spent time with them.
In 2000 one of my closest friends aged 26 suffered from seven brain stem strokes due to an undetected blood clot at the base of his brainstem. It left him severely physically disabled and unable to speak. Mentally he is very sharp and when I look in to his eyes I can see the same fire and spark from before.
It dawned on me that despite his accident he was still the same wonderful person and 1 was fortunate enough to be considered one of his mates, I also realised that a lot of people that would meet him in the future wouldn't see past the obvious physical disability and possibly wouldn’t take the opportunity to get to know the lively, interesting soul inside. My perspective and attitude changed. I realised that disabled people are just like us able-bodied versions; we all deserve a right to live as we choose to and the role of a personal assistant is enabling someone with a disability to do just that and without prejudice.
After caring for the elderly I decided to care for younger people with active lives and that's when my employment with ENA began. I wanted to assist people to socialise with friends, go to the cinema, eat out, attend sporting events, go shopping, and go to the pub ...do "normal" things. I decided to commit to a three month assignment with a 29-year-old female client who had Cerebral Palsy. I'd been given a chance to make a significant difference in someone else’s life, it was up to me and my client to work together as a team and make it a positive experience. Living in can be an intensive environment and at times both parties need to be patient but providing you are a good listener you've just mastered an invaluable caring skill. At the conclusion of my assignment my client toId me that I’d given her faith in herself to live independently, what I learned was invaluable.
 ENA provided constant support to both parties and displayed an ability to remain professionally objective. I always felt supported and trusted in their knowledge and experience. I took the chance to work behind the scene and work in the office alongside ENA staff; they are real people taking pride in their responsibility, some agencies focus on the client but ENA recognise the importance of supporting their carers as well.
The role of personal assistant/carer has enabled me to gain a perspective and life experience. I have been welcomed into people's lives and homes, formed friendships, learnt numerous skills and discovered positive aspects of my personality that weren't required or developed in previous vocations. When I left New Zealand I wanted to experience life and appreciate it, 1ong may the journey continue! |
