SEIU “Walk a Day in My Shoes”
Posted in From the Trail, Video on October 29th, 2007
Last Tuesday, October 22nd Al participated in the SEIU’s “Walk a Day in My Shoes” program for political candidates and worked alongside Certified Nurse Assistant and SEIU Healthcare Minnesota member Ulysses Bridges. Ulysses shared his thoughts after the experience by penning the following blog post:
I got home Tuesday and had a smile on my face all night. My wife asked me why and I told her it was because for one day, a politician saw what it’s like to care for patients at the nursing home where I work.
Al Franken walked a day in my shoes, joining me on my 6am shift to begin the job I’ve been doing for more than twenty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, I care for eight residents-getting them out of bed, dressed, washed and shaved, feeding them, and providing care throughout the day.
Al told me he had a special connection with the work that I do every day. He talked about his mother’s time at a nursing home and how thankful he was for the folks caring for her.
I was surprised how hard Al worked. He asked questions throughout the day about the care I provide and assisted in every task throughout the day. Not only did he help shave, lift, feed, and dress all of my patients, he spent time getting to know them. One of my residents served in World War II and Korea. Al took the time to listen to my resident’s experiences as a POW and hear about how he won all the medals on his uniform.
I told Al I wish I could provide more one-on-one care to residents but there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I also told him that most nursing assistants have to care for a lot more residents than we do. It’s because we united on the job for a voice in resident care that we have staffing levels that allow us to provide top care.
My hope is that Al uses his walk a day with me to make some changes here in Minnesota and for all nursing home workers. All of us need decent staffing levels, we need more funding for our nursing homes, and we need affordable health care for our families.
I work hard to care for people I consider family and at the end of the day it’s all about the TLC. I’m happy if I was able to share a laugh with my residents or just chat about whatever’s on their mind.
Al took that to heart. That’s why he can come back and walk a day in my shoes anytime he wants.
- Ulysses Bridges, a member of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, is a Certified Nursing Assistant at Robbinsdale Rehabilitation and Care Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.
