Marky and Nurse Vanessa started a new adventure together 7 years ago and have been together ever since. At 14 years old, Marky received a trach and vent and had to welcome nurses into his home for the very first time. Vanessa was his first private duty nurse, and he was her very first home healthcare patient.
“It was new and different for both of us,” Vanessa recalls. “Marky was born with SMA type 2, but he has always been very independent. He had to get used to needing more support. He was guarded at first. It took some time and care to build his trust in me.”
Vanessa worked hard to build that trust and developed an incredible bond with Marky. Over the past 7 years, these two have been there for each other every step of the way. With Vanessa’s skilled care and encouragement, Marky went to high school and graduated. Her advocacy and support also made it possible for him to start a new life-changing treatment.
“From the beginning, they told me Marky was declining,” Vanessa remembers. “But I never accepted that was his fate. I kept pushing and advocating for him. Exciting things have happened since he started the new treatment. Now he can move his feet, lift his arms, and eat ice cream. These are huge, huge things that I dreamt about. The best reward for what I do is seeing him thrive. With every little accomplishment, my heart fills up with pride.”
It's clear to see that Vanessa’s care has made a huge impact on Marky’s life, and he’s made just as much of a difference in hers. “Marky always says, ‘You never know if you’ll be here tomorrow, so I smile for today,’” Vanessa shares. “He’s greeted me with a smile every day for the past 7 years. He gives me a different perspective and makes me have a good day every time I’m with him. We’re a team.”
Marky and Vanessa have remained a team and made incredible things happen through the years. This inseparable pair inspires us all, and we can’t wait to see what they’re able to accomplish together next!
If you’re a nurse interested in private duty nursing and impacting the lives of patients like Marky, join our team today at jobs.aveanna.com.