I’ve had many people over the years remark to me about what a “Strong, resilient, powerful, super energized, wondrous person” I am for having the stamina and love to give to Anna. I feel great when I hear these words for sure. I always feel that if they could just come inside me and feel what Anna does to a person they might have the same description about them. It is her power, her responses to life, her presence that truly makes me what I am. But what about those people who just choose to be their caretakers? What about the teachers, bus drivers, nurses, social workers, respite and direct care workers, etc.? Those I call “The beautiful people.”
Today I’d like to highlight one of those in a yearlong series of those that I encounter. Let me introduce Anna’s one-on-one nurse, the gracious and hardworking Rebecca. She is a perfect fit into the category of “Beautiful person.”
A person chooses a career and then they move into the position they desire for the most part. I’m not really sure if Rebecca set out to be a nurse for a special child like Anna but I feel like we certainly pulled the right raffle ticket! Let me highlight the bonuses I have in my life with our special nurse who makes Anna’s school days spectacular . . read on.
Texting-I have the ability to send and receive texts to and from Rebecca. This is something I have not had in the past, especially with a school nurse. I can send her texts that I left some food in her pump bag that needs to be run when she arrives. I can let her know she was up most of the night, keeping her informed. I can tell her when the bus came late or she can do the same with me. She even sends me texts after hours. I can keep in touch with Anna through this texting. I have had texts returned on the weekends!
Warning of days off-I am reminded of half days, off days, and all things that are important to know in regard to Anna. I have been told of school lockdowns, issues in the class, when things spill or things happen that she thinks I should know, it’s a godsend.
Working with subs so they know her feeding bag and her routine-I have had some bad situations with sub nurses. From not feeding to putting the tube in the bag very wrong so when she gets home it’s all messed up and I have to get a new one, not communicating things, etc. It’s so great to have the best nurse here for Anna and who usually leaves notes for the sub nurses.
Paperwork-Anna’s nurse gives me the heads up when school orders are about to expire. Yes, I can do that on my own but she is like a nurse and a secretary for Anna. In fact, she helps to fill out paperwork even looking at the last ones so that I can just add a few little things and they are good to go. If you are a Warrior mom the paperwork is endless.
Patience in her moodiness-Rebecca has texted me that she has tried alot to calm Anna down but nothing is working. She has walked, held, rocked, etc.,played music too. It’s nice to know the daily needs and I’m delighted and astounded that she is so attentive to her needs. Plus, because Anna’s health can turn on a dime, it’s nice to know if things were not good at school when they may or may not progress at home. I have a full idea of what happened in her day, the good, bad and ugly.
Showering with fun and adorable clothes-this is the greatest of all. I have had Anna come home at times with a very fun outfit on. It’s usually her favorite brand, matching and very stylish. The other day Rebecca sent home a bag of BRAND NEW clothes she had purchased for Anna, but Anna had not needed to be changed so she wanted us to enjoy them. She gave Anna’s sister a sweet baby shower gift too! Can you catch your breath? Because this is love, this is caring and this is a beautiful person.
I mean us Warrior moms are the mothers. We have usually formed them, birthed them and of course we are enamored with them. But you get these beautiful people who go above and beyond and do these acts of kindness everyday for our kids. They take care of cleaning their faces, their diapers, their vomit, the things that are very sincere to do for another person. I just feel so good in this world that we have good, kind loving people. In our world these people are fascinating to watch and so helpful. The world is full of kindness and maybe just maybe you have a beautiful person in your circle. Thank you for all you do Rebecca. You are the best.
