Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.
"Whenever I can feel a Bach fugue in my work, I feel I have arrived." – legendary photo-artist Edward Weston
Beauty is always present in the middle of caregiving – sometimes in the midst of what seems like the greatest kind of drudgery. When do you notice that art has revealed herself in your work? How does this help you discover meaning?
-Erie Chapman
Art is Love in motion.
Oh, let me count the ways…
In my current workday it involves advocacy. Circles, I seem to run circles trying to overcome cumbersome barriers to get a person what they need. Often it involves making many telephone calls that go around in this endless circle of “you need to talk to this person” only begin again as I try not to sink into despair. Then it happens, I hit gold, when I find the right person who has the key to unlock the door. So often, I hear, “I submitted the request, I did what I needed to do” and it goes no further, no willingness to take the next step to find the answer. When that door opens for the patient to receive the care or equipment they need, a beautiful light shines through the darkness.
Love is art in motion.
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As I reflect further upon your question, I realize how privileged I am to work with caregivers who artfully inspire beauty to manifest through Loving care of people who are vulnerable and in need. I’d like to share a few of these caregivers’ stories with you.
Lillie Porter is a CHHA who works in Private Duty Services. We received a letter from a patient’s daughter who described her, “I was so impressed by Lillie’s compassion and professionalism. Her observations helped my dad get timely medical care whenever he started having symptoms. She took him on field trips to places he loved to go, Home Depot, the park to feed the ducks and to visit my mother while she was still alive. He was able to experience life in the “real world” through these daily outings for as long as he was able. During the four years she cared for him he was the envy of everyone at his assisted living facility. I am convinced that his life was extended significantly and that he enjoyed a quality of life seldom experienced by our elderly because of her loving care. I hope that she will be available to care for me should it ever become necessary!”
I called and spoke to the father of a young boy who was having pain issues. This child is severely developmentally disabled, blind, and unable to speak to make his needs known. His bones are so brittle they spontaneously fracture. His father said to me, “Our child still has quality of life and we are waiting for him to let us know when he wants to give up. We have a sense that he will be with us a little longer.” He went on to tell me about the nurse caring for their son, Luz Harris LVN, Private Duty Services. “We are thrilled to have Luz as his caregiver because of her sensitivity and her intuitive approach in anticipating and meeting our son’s needs. She has a very special connection with him. Very few people have this kind of connection. As a matter of fact there is only one other person in the world (besides his parent’s) who does and that person is a life long friend.”
“You see,” he said, “Our son thrives when Luz is with him. We adore her and we really, really, love her.”
Rose Camay RN Home Health is gifted with her holistic approach to patient care. To illustrate, a Spanish speaking woman was having poor pain control but resisted taking pain medication even though the importance of around the clock dosing was emphasized. The patient remained in uncontrolled pain until Rose was able to uncover her unspoken fear. She feared that taking the pain medication meant her condition was worsening. Once understood, Rose was able to help her move beyond this barrier to achieve good pain management. Rose considers all factors that may impact a person’s well being not only the task at hand.
Recently, a patient’s husband called because his wife was dying and he needed immediate support. The assigned nurse was off that day and all the team nurses had full schedules. We tried juggling assignments without success. In desperation we called Rose who also had a full schedule and was in another geographic area. Without the slightest hesitation she responded, “Tell him I am on my way.”
Natalie James RN Home Health demonstrates a servant’s heart, with incredible consistency, and excellent skills. She does not shy away from caring for people with complex, long term, difficulties as she excels in these situations. We have had a young man on our service for over four years who has severe multiple disabilities since birth including a neuromuscular and seizure disorder. Due to his uncontrolled spasticity, flailing body movements, and fear, it has required three people to draw his blood for necessary lab tests. His mother and grandmother have had to hold him while the nurse draws the sample. Natalie has been the only person to come to the patient’s home for the lab draws since April 2005. She has done this consistently because she knows the patient’s familiarity with her helps reduce the trauma of the visit.
Leslie Delaflor, Hospice RN was a hero during the November 2008 fires and reached out to a dear neighbor who happened to be a patient on service. Although she was not working on November 15th, she saw the fire raging at the top of Anaheim Hills and became concerned for a patient who lived in this fire area. Leslie jumped in her car, drove into the smoke filled area, found the patient, packed up her belongings and took her down the hill just as the fire department was closing all roads. The patient had no where to go for the day so this wonderful nurse did what neighbors do and took the patient to her home until family members could come to pick her up.
“Work is love made visible.” ~Kahlil Gibran
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Today I am thinking of the patients and families we care for, their challenges and how difficult it must be to adjust to disability and the many losses that accompany illness. I think of their perserverance and courage and I am in awe. Honestly, I doubt I could muster such valor if faced with the same circumatances. We, in homecare, are very fortunate to be invited into peoples’ homes as complete strangers, in such vulnerable times. We bear witness to their struggles, pain, and grief and we exchange our hearts. We leave changed forever as we learn the true meaning of Love.
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Journal of Sacred Work 
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