<p>Here’s another example of a company that provides these services–they are usually contracted with the employer and offered as a benefit to the employees [Perspectives</a> Ltd | Services](<a href=“http://www.perspectivesltd.com/services_worklife.htm]Perspectives”>http://www.perspectivesltd.com/services_worklife.htm)</p>
<p>Jym, thanks, that looks like way more structure than what I need though, but it looks terrific for larger organizations with potentially multiple needs…</p>
<p>LTS
What about looking into temporary agencies for ‘executive assistants’. Many folks use temp agencies for income when their significant others start jobs in new areas.
I’m guessing, if there is any helping in your business, folks would love to list ‘Personal Assistant to LTS in her Important Career’ on a resume!!</p>
<p>I really like the idea of hiring an athlete to help you out, LTS. Try to find a serious tri-athlete, if you can. In my experience I have found that they are incredibly determined people who are constantly pushing their bodies to adapt to ever higher levels of performance… just like you are right now. They will understand the meaning of not backing down.</p>
<p>One of my friends on my masters’ swim team was a tri-athlete and very accomplished Iron Man up until last December when he was tragically hit by a drunk motorist while doing his job as a police officer. He is now paralyzed from the chest down, but his attitude is still the same… still pushing, fighting to beat ordinary expectations. He said he can’t wait to get back into the pool. I always feel my most optimistic when I’m with those kinds of people.</p>
<p>I agree, momof2inca. I just came back from what was for me a very difficult walk around the block with a caregiver. We have known each other for some years; she almost made the national team in a sport we shared (that’s how we met) several years ago. </p>
<p>In any case, the walk around the block includes some serious uphill stuff, and, she talked me through it, I did it without resting. </p>
<p>I know a walk around the block even steep hill part of the way doesn’t sound like serious athletics, but, for me, gasping for breath, my entire body feeling as if it weighs 1,000 pounds, having just done radiation, it’s a significant achievement, right at this moment. It is critical I fight my way through this. So she is committed to helping me every day… </p>
<p>This is the sort of support I think I need…</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear about your friend, and, I hope I can recapture his attitude. When I see other people out jogging, running, playing sports, I am so very, very jealous and unhappy. I am trying to reposition my attitude…I am very hopeful that your friend does indeed get back into the pool soon. </p>
<p>Hopefully the drunk motorist has been sentenced?</p>
<p>LTS-
The companies I cited are just providing on their website a list of the kinds of services they provide. You call them and say “I need a personal assistant for XXXXX” and they get back to you with a list of referrals.</p>
<p>Regarding the personal assistant: I would suggest you look for a recent college graduate in a field where it’s hard to find jobs that pay, like theater or art. Somewhere among your wide acquaintanceship there is a young person who needs/wants that job and has the necessary energy. Several come to my mind but none of them are in DC, I’m afraid. </p>
<p>As for the money, open a petty cash checking account that you both share, that you have online access to and can thus easily monitor. You can transfer money in as needed for expenses, your assistant can have a debit card on the account (much easier and safer than cash or checks).</p>
<p>There are many personal trainers who make a specialty of working with people who are recovering from serious illnesses. I have worked with one for the last year to ensure a full recovery (post physical therapy) from my knee surgery.</p>
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<p>–Abraham Lincoln</p>
<p>The trial is pending… the outcome of the accident was even worse than just my friend being paralyzed, I’m sorry to say. He had pulled off the freeway on his motorcycle to either ticket or talk to a driver when the drunk/high motorist in his huge truck hit them both from behind. The driver’s car exploded and he was killed instantly while just sitting in his car. He was 20. My friend is in his 30s. The idiot drunk/high motorist was also 20 and was transporting dope to deal. He had a teenager with him who is not being tried. </p>
<p>I really can’t imagine going from being an Iron Man (he did Hawaii last year) to barely being able to get around in an electric wheel chair, from being a motorcycle cop to being fully disabled with severely limited career prospects. But the good news is that his brain works, he kept his great sense of humor and he is finally off of all tubing and can swallow and talk again, and he’s gaining the use of his arms and hands. His eye seems to be permanently crossed though, which makes it awkward, but they are doing lots of physical therapy on all parts of his body, and he is a champion with a champion’s work ethic. I will not be surprised to see him competing in the para-Olympics one day. It really is mind over matter when you get down to the day to day struggles. Congrats on making it up that hill today, LTS. I’m impressed.</p>
<p>LTS, If your assistant will have access to personal financial information, it may be wise to go through an agency that bonds thier employees.</p>
<p>Mafool, I just simply never thought of that, thank you for pointing that out. </p>
<p>Momof2inca, that’s horrible, how tragic. I am so sorry. I also cannot imagine going from Iron Man to fully disabled. I sincerely hope that justice happens, but, most of all I sincerely hope your friend accomplishes the best possible recovery, as fast as possible. </p>
<p>dmd77, thank you for that, great suggestion.</p>
<p>Mafool-
I was thinking the exact same thing, about bonded employees. Glad you posted it. It is extremely important. Also, people who are acquired though agencies will have gone through security/background checks. I <em>know</em> you can easily do that , LTS (check criminal, credit, driving history, etc) but you dont need MORE on your plate to do, you need less!</p>
<p>jym626 it makes your referrals make a lot of sense, and you’re right, I don’t have time to be checking people out. I can do so of course but I don’t want to. But I never would have thought of it until Mafool posted it - I’m so used to just handing someone a bank card, and saying go do this -</p>
<p>and another</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>[Hopkins</a> Medicine Magazine - Taming the Beast](<a href=“http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hmn/S06/feature1.cfm]Hopkins”>http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hmn/S06/feature1.cfm)</p>
<p>P.S. “the oncologist’s brusque compassion” - nicely put.</p>
<p>Epistrophy, thanks for that, def. very nicely put. I had no idea Sarah Brady was fighting this as well…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>–Albert Einstein</p>
<p>and another</p>
<p>
</code></pre>
<p>[The</a> Dalles Chronicle Local News](<a href=“http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/06/news06-23-08-01.shtml]The”>http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/06/news06-23-08-01.shtml)</p>
<p>Yay! I said PA about 30 pages back so isn’t it wonderful that your colleagues have decided to fund one!</p>
<p>For me, the win-win hire would be a young PA who aspires to your industry; a younger version of yourself , a young woman who reminds you of your daughter.</p>
<p>If the salary is good–and you post it on craigslist–you should get some great CVs and candidates.</p>
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<p>–Janis Joplin</p>