Jaheem J.

1. What makes you a great caregiver? I prefer to let my clients and their families answer that for themselves. What I can share is that integrity, competence, and humility--putting others first--are at the core of who I strive to be --in this life. These values guide how I serve, listen, and care for others each day. 2. Why did you become a caregiver? I became a caregiver because I truly love people. Serving others feels like one of the purest ways to express genuine love--the kind described by the writers of the New Testament. As Douglas Adams said, "To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity." 3. What do you like about being a caregiver? It brings me great joy to know my care meets a client's needs and gives their family peace of mind--allowing them to rest without worry or guilt. Having two disabled family members myself, I understand the trust and vulnerability that come with allowing someone into that circle of care. 4. What is a personal achievement you are proud of? I was privileged to serve on a professional team caring for a quadriplegic client, providing full home care--meals, bathing, transfers (without a Hoyer lift), and colostomy and catheter care. I was later chosen to assist a family supporting a loved one with severe Autism and, more recently, helped provide 24-hour care for another quadriplegic client requiring advanced support. Outside caregiving, I successfully self-prepared for a proctored Microsoft certification exam and have taught myself conversational Spanish and basic Mandarin Chinese. 5. Tell us something about yourself. I'm a grandfather of four and remain physically active. I'm also a lifelong student of the Bible who enjoys gospel hymns, nature, animals, gardening, walking, ping pong, and audiobooks.

I have the following personality traits: Humble, reliable, persistence, self-control, honest, integrity, confident, patient, and compassionate. With my personality I am able to be a great caregiver by looking for the brighter side of situations rather than on the negative; I am understanding and have empathy to relate to others well; I am able to create enthusiasm to stimulate other people; I am able to exercise humility; and most of all taking responsibility for my actions. What attracted me to being a caregiver, well I started as a young child working at my grandmother's nursing home. What I enjoy most about being a caregiver is bringing joy to those I serve, The personal achievement that I am proud of is receiving a Certificate of Completion of The National Caregiver Certification Program.