Nomination Letter
Written by the client's mother, Wendy
Savannah Bottkol, LPN, started providing care for Austin in our home on weekends in May of 2020. We had another primary caregiver at the time but needed additional coverage. We were thrilled that BrightStar Care had found someone qualified to work with Austin, but we were very “picky” and had high expectations for anyone working with Austin, as BrightStar Care knew well – lol! Savannah jumped right in handling not only the “required job duties” but so much more.
We had a large dog that was “part of the package” because Austin was very close to her and Savannah handled the two of them like a champ, even for long outdoor walks pushing Austin’s wheelchair and helping Austin hang onto her leash safely! We have a lot of equipment in our home to exercise and help Austin progress which intimidated many caregivers. Savannah took the lead on handling the equipment and “toys” to work on the many suggested activities that were recommended for Austin and was even creative in coming up with many ideas of her own to help him towards his goals. Being a Physical Therapist myself, I especially appreciated how she incorporated Austin’s help for many ADL tasks, such as feeding the dog, doing laundry and even caring for Austin’s plants. She quickly became our shining star caregiver!
Savannah really takes pride in Austin’s care. She is very observant and always reports any changes with him or any issues with our equipment. She is also quite handy and has been able to make many repairs on anything from his glasses to pieces of equipment but always reports this to me for me to check. She also has assisted us with various technical items that help Austin with communication. It seems that she has no end to her various talents!
She is a great combination of being strict with him when she needs to be but always respectful. She treats him like the 29-year-old young man that he is – not just a “patient” without an identity or interests. Even though Austin cannot speak, he can communicate via other means and Savannah is patient and takes the time to “listen” to him and respects his choices. Sadly, not everyone does. For almost four years, Savannah has traveled with Austin to physician appointments, therapy appointments and has even gotten in our pool with him and us. She has participated in numerous therapy appointments and assists in carrying out home programs that are recommended for his continued recovery.
She has even taught Austin about special interests that she has, such as gardening and raising chickens and ducks who lay eggs. Austin really enjoys her interactive stories and is quite entertained at times! With such a busy schedule of medical things to take care of with Austin, she somehow manages to do it with a great attitude which carries over to Austin to positively affect him! There are many other patients that would be much "easier" to care for and much less “work” (which some other caregiver “trials” have sadly let us know) but somehow Savannah makes us feel like she is the grateful one.