Nominate an Outstanding Caregiver    (Advance June 9, 2002)

More than one in eight adult Canadians spend part of their day caring for a family member or friend with an illness or disability.  In an effort to bring recognition to these remarkable Canadians, Allianz Canada established the Caregiver of the Year Awards to honour these selfless acts of kindness and hard work.  People from across Canada are asked to nominate a non-professional caregiver they consider worthy of this award.  There is one $10,000 national award and four $1,000 regional awards.

The award was initiated in 1999 and the first recipient was Annie Knee of Topsail, Newfoundland.  She is now in her early 90's, was widowed at the age of 48 and left to raise her six children.  Three of her children had debilitating physical conditions that confined them to wheelchairs.  She cared all those years for her son Kenneth, whose condition was the worst and who at the time of the award was 67.  He has since died.

Shortly after winning the award she was interviewed on CBC Radio and hearing her voice you would never have guessed her age.  She had a marvelous philosophy of “taking each day at a time”.  She said caregiving didn’t come to mind, she just did what had to be done.  When asked what helped her all those years, she replied that her inner strength carried her through adversity.  She shared with the radio audience her life’s motto.  “Thoughts, Words, Actions, Habits, Character, Destiny.  I examine my thoughts, for my thoughts become my words.  I am careful of the words I speak, as my words become my actions.  I pursue my actions carefully, for my actions become my habits.  I must be careful of my habits, my habits prove my character.  I look with care into my character, because my character is proof of my destiny.”

Although only one caregiver is publicly acknowledged, every caregiver is deserving of this recognition.  We may not all have the inner strength, good health or determination of Annie Knee, but as caregivers we do deserve to be valued.  Information about the awards program is available on the Allianz Canada web site: www.allianz.ca or call the Caregivers Support Network office at 1-800-777-2205. 

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