Kenneth joy

I worked as a domestic helper, mainly focused on elderly care and childcare. My last job was taking care of an 8-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. It's a tough situation because he also had a liver transplant. My daily routine started at 6 AM when I would feed him in bed through a PEG tube. I stayed close to him because he could have seizures or twitch when he heard noise or got scared. After a while, we would both get some rest until 8 AM. I would sit with him to help support him so he wouldn't fall after he had milk and to prevent any vomiting.

By 8:10, I’d freshen up and start preparing his milk and the eight different medicines he needed three times a day while drinking my coffee. I also cooked rice, cleaned his face and body with warm water, changed his diaper and clothes, and helped him into his wheelchair. By 9 AM, I’d be feeding him his milk and meds, which would take about 20 minutes, and then I’d have my breakfast while he was resting.

When he was resting, I would prepare lunch and dinner, often cooking simple meals like pork or chicken stew using a thermal cooker or slow cooker. My main responsibility was to cater to his special needs. At 10:30, I would assist him with stretches for his fingers, toes, arms, and legs, just like a physiotherapist recommended. I would let him stand using his tilt bed for an hour, as long as he was comfortable. Then I’d get him ready for school by changing his diaper and putting on his uniform.

At noon, I’d feed him his milk and meds, then get myself ready to take him to school. By 12:30, we would leave using the public bus, which took about 25 to 30 minutes. I’d come back home around 1:40 PM, have lunch, and take a nap from 2:30 to 3:30 PM to save some energy. Then at 3:45 PM, I’d fetch him from school. We’d be home by 5 to 5:30 PM, and I’d prepare to bathe him around 6 PM and feed him milk again. After that, I would also take my shower, wash our clothes, and make dinner at 7:30 PM. While washing dishes and hanging clothes, I would have him stand in his tilt bed again for an hour. At 9 PM, I’d feed him his milk and meds once more while he rested next to his mom. Finally, at 10 PM, we’d get ready for bed, change his diaper, and help him into his pajamas.

From Monday to Friday, he slept with me, and on weekends and holidays, he would sleep in his parents' room. My employers are pretty independent and take care of their own mess and laundry on weekends. We would share chores and grocery shopping to keep everything running smoothly.

I also accompanied the child to his check-ups and made sure to update my employers with notes from the doctor so that I wouldn't forget anything important.