Grand Prize Winner
Christine's story

I entered the world of caregiving 10 1/2 years ago when my mother could no longer live alone due to Alzheimer's Disease. I was 37. She was only 55. My first reward was to be able to spend every minute of every day with her, and that is still my most cherished reward of this job.

We began this journey together. My second reward was to know that she didn't have to face this disease alone. She may have been scared of what was happening to her...but she didn't have to be scared because she was alone. I am still rewarded with the peace in my heart of knowing I have been there for her in her utmost time of need.
I was not the easiest daughter to raise. I look back with many regrets and thought I would never be able to redeem myself in her eyes and the eyes of the Lord. My third reward is redemption.

As we have progressed in this journey to the point where she requires total care...I am rewarded with an occasional moment of eye contact...of being able to stand and watch her sleep...her breast rising and falling with each breath...and knowing that when that breathing stops...though I won't be happy...I will be rewarded with the knowledge that she is at peace and suffers no more.

And the final reward I take with me after she is gone...aside from my memories of her...is the caregiving skills she has provided to me through my trial and error...on the job training...that has given me a career.