Shield HealthCare announces Colorado winners of 'What Makes Caregiving Rewarding' story contest

Shield HealthCareJan 16 2015

Shield HealthCare, a leading provider of medical supplies for care at home, is pleased to announce the Colorado winners of its 14^th annual "What Makes Caregiving Rewarding" story contest, recognizing the dedicated role of professional and family caregivers. Through this contest, Shield HealthCare provides its caregiving audience a forum to share their stories, inspiring and encouraging others.

Congratulations to Cheryl W. in Denver and Linda K. in Boulder on their winning stories selected by Dave Aguilera of CBS4 News!

Selected as a grand prize winner, Cheryl's story is a tribute to her grandmother who recently celebrated her 100^th birthday. She wrote, "I pray each night for strength and wisdom to guide her through the coming day. I am tired and worried. She looks so small on her sofa, as her ninety-nine year old frame rests under covers. I am rewarded with the precious memory of her tucking me into the old feather bed. Grandma would help me recite the bed time prayer as I folded my small hands into the church and the steeple. 'Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.' I felt safe, warm and comfortable. I look again at Grandmother, rewarded with the knowledge she is safe, warm and comfortable."

Runner-up, Linda K. is a hospice nurse who tenderly recalled memories of her own mother while at a patient's bedside. She wrote, "I bent down and kissed Mama on the cheek, rubbing my hand lightly across her forehead. Her thick dark curls were gone, but it was easy for both of us to imagine I was brushing them out of the way. She was mostly bald after the surgery, but we remembered the curls. After tucking Mama in bed, I walked to the other side, and climbed in next to her. Snuggling against her frail body, I told her yet again, 'I love you.' I didn't know how many more opportunities I would have to tell her I loved her. I didn't know how many more nights I would have her here beside me. I didn't really know much of anything, except I didn't want to miss a single moment with her."

All contest winners received an American Express Gift Card and a 1-year subscription to Today's Caregiver Magazine. Shield HealthCare's "What Makes Caregiving Rewarding" story contest is designed to create awareness and recognition of the role of caregivers. All eight winning caregiver stories are posted on Shield HealthCare's website at www.shieldhealthcare.com/caring.

Shield HealthCare also announces its 4^th annual Readers' Choice Contest, allowing additional caregiver stories from "What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?" contest to receive acclaim and recognition from the voting public. The top 3 winners selected by public vote will be recognized on Shield HealthCare's website in early February 2015.