I started nursing at 17 years old and loved it from day one.
I still do. I was fortunate in having a wonderful family, parents who truly loved me and are proud of my achievements and now a
loving and caring family of my own. I have known my hubby for over 30 years and
have two teenage kids who make me smile and frown every day. I love them
dearly.
But my blog isn't about me - it's going to be influenced by
two of the most inspirational and dynamic people I know. People who have always
put others first, have led exciting and unusual lives and mostly whose love for
each other makes me feel humble everyday. My parents, Keith and Di. My parents
went to school together, were first boyfriend and girlfriend and love each
other as much now as they did over 50 years ago when they got married. My
mother has Alzheimers and Vascular
dementia. Every day is a struggle and a chore, but also has glimpses of joy and
love. My father cares for my mother with such calm and gentle kindness that he
could teach the most holistic caring clinicians a lesson in walking in the shoes
of others. You can teach someone to carry out care, but you can't teach someone
to selflessly and consistently put others first. That's something deep inside
you.
Experiencing the effects of dementia on us as a family has
created a personal drive and passion that I am in the fortunate positon , as a
Director, of being able to use at work to benefit patient care. As a community
Trust we want to help people to remain in their own homes and prevent
unnecessary admissions.
This year I have been awarded one of the prestigious Florence
Nightingale Leadership Scholarships. My application focussed on dementia.
Not every Di has a Keith who loves her more than he loves
himself or a family like ours who celebrate each moment of joy and recognition.
But I believe that every one deserves this and I hope that my scholarship will
support my organisation to achieve this. My parents will remain my inspiration
and will drive the passion and enthusiasm I have for supporting those living
with dementia. So as I approach 2015 and embrace the World of Social media -
supported by my children, I look forward to sharing my experience as an FN
Scholar and hopefully drawing further inspiration and knowledge from anyone who
reads this.
My next submission will describe what I want to look at, how
I hope to engage our wonderful staff and the potential outcomes.
