Everything happens for a reason

This weeks blog is a little different. I want to write about how I came to become Tom's Carer and why I feel so passionate about what I do.

I never chose to become a carer, it was never in my plan. In fact I wanted to become a primary school teacher, I didn't even know there were positions like the one I am in now. On the 31st of August 2010 everything changed without me even knowing it. My beautiful Niece, Sophie was born.

Sophie was born and it was discovered that she had Down Syndrome and as time went on her care became more complex due to a diagnosis of a type epilepsy. I was only 14 when Sophie was born. My sister in law always gave me the opportunity to learn about Sophie's care needs and she educated me on how to do things. I became so fascinated by it all. However the main thing in my mind was that Sophie was my Niece and I was going to make sure she felt incredibly loved by her Auntie.

She is the biggest ray on sunshine and my everyday inspiration.

Although my Brother and Sister in law live a couple of hours away with their now 4 gorgeous children! I have always wanted to help. I have grown a very special bond with Sophie, I feel like she changed my whole life path for the better and she showed my where I needed to be. Sophie started to have carers going in and out of the house to help out with her care needs. I felt like this is something I would love to do. I wanted to give other children the opportunity to have someone support them who they feel safe and loved with and most importantly made care fun!

I started studying childcare at college as I wanted to make sure I had a fall back in case care didn't work for me. At that time I had no idea that there were private caring roles. In my final year after a lot of pestering from me, my college let me go on a special needs placement. Here I started working with a small team of carers (although they were so much more than that) caring for a young boy with complex medical needs. I was fortunate enough to be offered a covering position whilst on this placement and it was here that I learnt that this is something I felt so passionate about.

After a few years with this family I was offered an interview with Tom's family. At the time I obviously knew nothing about Tom other than his age. I took a leap of faith and went for the interview. I remember feeling so nervous about meeting a new family. I was only 20 and being that young can often go against you, even though I knew I had 6 years of experience with Sophie. I don't remember much about the interview at all, the nerves definitely got the better of me, but the one thing I do remember is Tom sat in his Panda chair in the kitchen sleeping. I saw him and just though, WOW, he is so beautiful.

I was offered the position with Tom and even though I was over the moon, it was a very daunting prospect moving from something that you know so well to something completely new. In care a new 'job' means a new family to get to know. Never the less I took the position and I have never looked back.

I feel so incredibly protective of Tom. I see him as my little brother and I won't ever let anyone hurt him. He has given me such fire in my belly. I feel like I want to try to make a difference to as many people as I can, whether that be by people reading my blog posts, or by writing emails to improve places for children and adults with disabilities, something that Tom and I have managed to do a few times now!

I know realise that all along this is what I was meant to do. I feel so privileged that I am the one that gets to spend my days with Tom. Together we can do anything. I love seeing Tom learn and grow. From the small things to the big things, they all matter to me.

I take pride in not what I do but I take pride in Tom and all the things he can do.

So really I have my beautiful niece Sophie to thank for it all, without her I wouldn't be who I am today.

I get questions a lot about what I do for 'work' and my reply is always 'I'm a carer' but I don't think that word covers it. Some of us out there aren't 'just carers' we are much more than that, we care, love and protect not because that is our 'job' but because it's what makes us happy.

I truly believe that you don't choose to become a carer, the path chooses you. I would never want to be anything else other than Tom's best friend.

I hope this post is something that interests a lot of you and can answer some of your questions as to how Tom and I came to meet.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next post...