Sick Children and the Working Parent

I was born into a lower middle class family as the youngest of four kids. In spite of our limited means my parents were never short on love, care, and attention. At the age of thirteen I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Life for me became a living nightmare. The pain, isolation, and fear were immense. Indeed the anxiety was so bad I went through two bouts of Shingles from it. But over the course of those five miserable years I learned that no matter what my parents were there for me. Yet, as I sat in the hospital in all my pain in misery I saw kids who were worse off and not just physically either. Kids who were forced to spend nights, days, weeks, and even months all alone. I could hardly bear it when my parents swapped out and would be gone for hours and I was in my teens. Little children not but 4 years of age had to spend all that time suffering alone. I couldn't go near them and be their friend. I wasn't allowed to. So I simply observed from afar with a heavy heart as little boys and girls whose bodies were in pain tried to rest all alone.

I know it's hard for working parents. Indeed my mother was fired from her job when it first began but soon my parents found a balance. The longest I was ever alone was maybe 5 or 6 hours. But it made such difference when they were there. They kept my spirits up, they helped me deal with difficult and even down right bad nurses, and let me know that they cared. I went through 4 surgeries on my abdomen and 2 on my mouth. My last surgery was in May and I am now finally a normal and healthy person. But I wouldn't be what I am today without their sacrifice.

I would like to say that while I understand the difficulty of being by your sick child and working, it can be done. And, I assure you, it is well worth the sacrifice as that child will always be as grateful as I am now to my parents.