Overcoming the Pandemic – Finding a Passion for Working with Seniors. Ric’s Story

As we all have, Anderson College students have faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to focus on the triumphs and celebrate the courage and tenacity of our community, we launched a My 2020 Story Campaign. Students were asked a few poignant questions to spark the sharing of their experiences and insights. The response was overwhelming and, in the process, we have been blown away by their authentic sharing and inspired by the powerful lessons they have learned. We are grateful to all those who contributed and are richer for having you in our Anderson family.

Here is one such story, for you …

In 2020 I realized that life is too short to complain, instead be thankful for what you have and had. 2020 was an eye opener for all of us, to understand the importance of saying “I love you” to those people we cherish, every day. We never know what will happen today or tomorrow. Those are three words that we need to remember, not only to say but to live in every moment, and to laugh together every day.

“I am doing my placement in a Retirement Home focused on caring for residents with Dementia/ Alzheimer’s. I am more than delighted as this is what I’m really passionate about.”

We could never have expected 2020 to unfold the way it did. A lot of plans were cancelled, schools got suspended, millions of employees got laid off, just like me. Before the pandemic hit, everything was different. As a student during COVID-19, I was certainly aware of the huge differences in how we had to learn, shifting from classroom discussions to online learning.

Online class was not my kind of thing as it was hard to learn without having the equipment in the classroom to practice with. It was new to all of us and a big adjustment of course, but in the long run we adapted and got used to it. After the 8 long months of online class, it was time to practice and demonstrate the knowledge I’d gained from the lectures and exams. And I did it!

Right now (at the time Ric shared his story), I am doing my placement in a Retirement Home focused on caring for residents with Dementia/ Alzheimer’s. I am more than delighted as this is what I’m really passionate about. I’m able to help and support my colleagues in giving the utmost quality care that our residents need.

“Every time I see the smiles on their faces, it moves me and touches my heart that I am able to help them feel happy even just for a while.”

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A little back story … after graduating from nursing school back home in 2012, I realized that the best experiences I had were with seniors’ group. I have this soft and caring heart for them as I really enjoy talking and listening to their stories and hearing about their lives in the past. So, working in the environment I’m in is a dream come true. Every morning I help them with their range of motion and mobility, and we do some singing, painting, colouring and baking together in the afternoon.

Every time I see the smiles on their faces, it moves me and touches my heart that I am able to help them feel happy even just for a while. It’s quite a big deal for me as most of the time they’re agitated, and their moods can suddenly shift. This pandemic caused a lot of suffering and pain, and all we can do right now is to be bold and pray that this too shall pass.

I hope my story will inspire future students to consider what their heart’s desires are. Don’t feel pressured by the people around you. Follow your own passion and heart as they will guide you on the right path. In my end my mom wants me to become a nurse to help sick people and, yes that’s a fulfilling job too but I realize that that was my mother’s dream for herself not mine. Now, after 7 years I am finally able to follow and accept what my heart desires. As the famous saying goes by George Eliot “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

Ric A.

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