Tamara W.

I am a very easy going person. My personality is my best trait. My mother was confined to a wheelchair due to Muscular Dystrophy from the time I was 18 months old until I lost her in 2009. Taking care of her just led to me naturally becoming a caregiver. It's what I know.

I was too young to remember the story but my aunt says when I was 4 years old, that I comforted and reassured her when she was crying over a breakup with her boyfriend. I believe this was the beginning of my journey to care for others. I majored in Social Work and have had a wonderful 27 year career of working with children, adolescents and the aging. I have worked at UVA hospital where I gained insight into the importance of maintaining good health and how devastating a disease or accident is on one's health and life. I have worked for department of social services and assisted the aging with receiving the services needed to remain in their home or to move into a facility. At this time, I am doing "hands on" care in people's home to assist them with various activities of daily living. My mother was bedridden for many years and I was one of her primary caregivers. I know the burden on family when caring for a loved one and the importance of support. My grandfather lived to be 96 and I was there for him to assist with shopping, meal prep, housekeeping, medication reminders and transportation. I cherish the times that I spent with my mother and grandfather caring for them. I also cherish the support I received from others.