Sammy’s story, Carer

I wanted to share with you a few of my life experiences that have impacted who I am today and why I have chosen to work for Radfield Home Care.

When I was a little girl I always had dreams of being a vet, nurse, doctor or midwife…something that is helping the lives of others. My mum said to me ‘Samanther do you see the pattern in what you want to be when you grow up’ being a little girl I said ‘No’ as I didn’t understand what she meant. Mum said to me ‘Samanther my dear, you obviously want to help others’. As time went on I started to think I wasn’t going to be able to achieve any of my dreams, I lacked self confidence and didn’t believe that I would ever be able to get into the career that I always dreamed of. When I left school I applied for college to study hairdressing, I can’t help but think my mum wasn’t too happy about this as she knew I wasn’t chasing dreams, she knew that I always wanted to do something helping others.

For most of my childhood I unfortunately watched my mum having to suffer being unwell. Mum would have good days but she would also have her bad days. No matter how unwell Mum was, she would never let anyone know and she would carry on the best she could. My Mum has and always will be my role model, she worked hard no matter what – even on her bad days. Mum would just get up and carry on despite me begging her not to. Mum always used to say to me ‘Samanther, there will come a day when I really can’t work so while I can work, I will’.

I left school in 2007 and this Is the year Mum’s life had taken a turn for the worst. Mum was no longer able to work due to her health problems, she was suffering with Chronic Lung Disease and only had one lung. Sadly, this was not just the only problem for Mum as her body was starting to shut down, one organ at a time. Over the next 5 years my Mum spent most of her life in hospital. She would come home for a few days before going back again. When I had her at home I would be there helping her with anything she needed.

My heart broke watching my beautiful Mummy fading away in front of me so young with so much more to live for. There was nothing I could do apart from make her comfortable and show her how strong I was going to be, while making her proud of me and letting her know that I will keep chasing my dreams like she always wanted me to. In 2013, my Mum sadly passed away, ever since then I have tried really hard to fulfill my dreams of helping others. I still hadn’t built my confidence enough, I was so nervous about the grades I got in school that I didn’t think any colleges, universities or companies were going to accept me or help me get where I wanted to be.

In 2017, Lisa and Jennie the owners of Radfield Home Care in Havering told me about their new adventure in life and asked if I would be interested in being a carer for their company. I was so glad when they asked me, someone finally giving me the chance to do what I have always wanted to do, this was the start of the career I have always dreamt of, helping others. Knowing I kept my promise to my Mum gives me all the confidence I need to be successful in my new beginning.