Student Nurse Works Off-Duty

This picture is of a person who looks similar to my brother.

One of my brothers is a teenager who has Cerebral Palsy. CP is organic brain damage that is often sustained at birth or in utero.

My little bro Chris* has moderate/severe CP: he sits in a wheelchair, can't talk, is incontinent of stool and urine, has to be assisted with feeding and has very little movement in his arms and legs.

However, he is mentally totally with it and communicates by holding a pointer in his mouth and using this pointer to spell words on a keyboard. He has a fantastic personality and a great sense of humor.

As you can imagine, he requires an inordinate amount of care.

For the last three days I have been caring for Chris and my two other siblings who are still at home while my Mom went on a much needed Vacation.

Just imagine, for one moment, your life with a total-care family member like Chris. Here is the night time routine:

Take off his diaper. Physically lift him (75lbs) into a padded shower chair. Shower him. Get wet in the process. Imagine washing and rinsing your family member- everywhere. You shave his adolescent whiskers, brush his teeth, apply acne medicine, apply groin ointment, lift him onto his bed, put back on his diaper, put on pajamas, give him a drink of milk, tuck him into bed, and prop pillows around his contracted arms and legs.

It is physically demanding to lift him and care for him, to stoop over his bed, and his strong tone makes it hard to bend his limbs.

By the end you are wet, he has drooled on you, and you have to clean up the bathroom. The process takes about an hour.

You don't get paid. There is no "next shift" coming in to relieve you.

You want to go out for the night? Just catch some drinks with some friends, or see a show?

Too bad. Chris needs to be showered and to go to bed.

FOR EVERY SINGLE NIGHT OF EVERY SINGLE WEEK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Just contemplate that for one moment.

for the rest of your life....


* Name Changed to protect my brothers privacy