Brandee goes about and beyond for N daily! I honestly can’t say enough things about how she has helped our family over the last two years! So here are a few examples:

N is a diva! Brandee makes sure her hair is always done, her nails have colorful stickers, and when we go out, she wears stylish sunglasses to help N maintain that diva status. Brandee plays music for N, literally bringing her ukulele some days to play and sing while helping N reach out to strum the strings with her. Brandee pays close attention at doctors' appointments to be sure she understands anything that may be changing and how we are moving forward with it, sometimes helping me and my scattered brain keep track of stuff. She is also a sounding board for me, as she’s the only other one who knows N well and will let me vent to her when N’s medical or school stuff gets overwhelming. Brandee is always willing to pick up hours or shifts if she’s free, and she has great communication skills on the very rare occasion something comes up and she’s unable to work.

At school, Brandee embraces and encourages N’s teenage attitude and helps her express herself through her various looks by “translating” to those in her classroom. She has taken the time to learn how to use N’s eye gaze communication device, so she is able to help troubleshoot at school if needed. She also knows N’s IEP and is able to let me know if her service plan is not being followed properly. Brandee protects N daily at school, keeps her away from any kids in the classroom who might be sick, and keeps her safe from any other kids who are having a violent meltdown.

Brandee is a phenomenal nurse and human! She takes her job very seriously but also recognizes the human side of caring for a special needs teen who just wants to be a teen.