I spent nearly a month and a half at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in the Arts neighborhood. The whole admission was filled with stress, tears, and anxiety. I met Alexis during the second week of my admission. As soon as she walked into my room for the first time, she greeted my family and me with such positive energy and made me feel at ease immediately. She let me know right off the bat what the plan was for the night and helped me feel like I had some control back in my care. When my family had left for the night, and I began to struggle, she sat with me and allowed me to talk openly without fear of being judged. Alexis treated me with such compassion and empathy and made me feel like a person again and not just my disorder. She would come check on me multiple times throughout her shift, and always encouraged me when I needed it. She truly made me believe that I could recover and that there was a light at the end of the tunnel I was in.

Alexis was only my assigned nurse for that one week, but even in the following weeks, when she came to work, she would make sure to visit me when she had a free moment and treated me like I was still her patient. She celebrated all of my achievements during my stay, no matter how small, and made me feel proud of what I was trying to accomplish. Even on the days when either my vitals would slip or something would happen that felt like a setback, she would remind me that every day was a new day and that setbacks didn’t mean all of my efforts had been for nothing. She was even amazing enough to write me positive reminders on my whiteboard to look at when I was struggling. Those little reminders truly meant a lot. The hope that she gave me will stay with me for a long time, and I am so grateful. Alexis is truly a gift and such a light in this profession.