Sonia Jean-Jacques
May 2026
Sonia
Jean-Jacques
,
RN
Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida - Lee Health
Fort Myers
,
FL
United States
She sat with me, heard every concern, every fear, and every question I had, and for the first time, I felt validated.
I have never encountered a nurse as extraordinary as Sonia.
Over the past weeks, I have been in and out of the hospital due to surgery and unexpected complications that ultimately led to my readmission. During this time, I felt incredibly alone and isolated.
Despite undergoing countless tests that all came back normal, I was still in severe pain. Doctors reassured me that everything looked fine, yet I felt unheard, frightened, and exhausted, physically and emotionally. When this nurse walked into my room as my daytime nurse, it genuinely felt like a blessing.
After days of feeling dismissed and hopeless, she took the time to truly listen to me. She sat with me, heard every concern, every fear, and every question I had, and for the first time, I felt validated. She never rushed me, never minimized my pain, and never made me feel like a burden. She made me feel seen.
Although everything on paper appeared normal, she was determined to help uncover why I was still suffering. She consistently checked in on me and found thoughtful, creative ways to distract me from the anxiety that came with having no clear answers. When initial pain medications were not helping, she noticed. Instead of accepting that outcome, she advocated for me.
After I expressed how hopeless I felt, she spoke directly with the doctor and pushed for a different approach. I had little faith that anything would help, but the new medication worked. Her persistence made a real difference in my recovery.
In what was only two days, she became more than just my nurse, she felt like family. Her caring, mother-like presence brought comfort and calm during one of the most overwhelming moments of my life. She continuously updated my entire family, no matter how small the update, because she understood how much reassurance matters.
Those small moments, when we spoke with the doctor or we were going to try something new, became the hope that carried me through. She didn’t just provide medical care; she provided compassion, advocacy, and humanity.
She changed my outlook during a time when I felt lost and afraid, and she restored my hope that we would find answers. She exemplifies what it truly means to be a nurse, and I will forever be grateful for the impact she had on me and my family.
She is a blessing from God to anyone who comes across her.
Over the past weeks, I have been in and out of the hospital due to surgery and unexpected complications that ultimately led to my readmission. During this time, I felt incredibly alone and isolated.
Despite undergoing countless tests that all came back normal, I was still in severe pain. Doctors reassured me that everything looked fine, yet I felt unheard, frightened, and exhausted, physically and emotionally. When this nurse walked into my room as my daytime nurse, it genuinely felt like a blessing.
After days of feeling dismissed and hopeless, she took the time to truly listen to me. She sat with me, heard every concern, every fear, and every question I had, and for the first time, I felt validated. She never rushed me, never minimized my pain, and never made me feel like a burden. She made me feel seen.
Although everything on paper appeared normal, she was determined to help uncover why I was still suffering. She consistently checked in on me and found thoughtful, creative ways to distract me from the anxiety that came with having no clear answers. When initial pain medications were not helping, she noticed. Instead of accepting that outcome, she advocated for me.
After I expressed how hopeless I felt, she spoke directly with the doctor and pushed for a different approach. I had little faith that anything would help, but the new medication worked. Her persistence made a real difference in my recovery.
In what was only two days, she became more than just my nurse, she felt like family. Her caring, mother-like presence brought comfort and calm during one of the most overwhelming moments of my life. She continuously updated my entire family, no matter how small the update, because she understood how much reassurance matters.
Those small moments, when we spoke with the doctor or we were going to try something new, became the hope that carried me through. She didn’t just provide medical care; she provided compassion, advocacy, and humanity.
She changed my outlook during a time when I felt lost and afraid, and she restored my hope that we would find answers. She exemplifies what it truly means to be a nurse, and I will forever be grateful for the impact she had on me and my family.
She is a blessing from God to anyone who comes across her.