Andy Elliott
Andy Elliott found his calling at the tender age of 11; unfortunately, it was through experiencing a personal tragedy.
A devastating fire destroyed his home and left his mother and sister with severe burns. A month later, his mother succumbed to her injuries and passed away while in the hospital.
Andy’s family struggled to move forward, but with his father working shiftwork, Andy became his sister’s main caregiver. Each day, Andy would help his sister with her physiotherapy, medication and bandage changings. He soon discovered that he had a gift for caring for others.
Years later, when deciding on his future career, it was only natural for Andy to choose the healthcare industry. In 2002, he got his Personal Support Worker (PSW) certification – an industry normally dominated by women. The past three years, he has worked as a PSW with the Canadian Red Cross in his hometown of Brockville, ON.
Over the years, Andy has witnessed the outcomes of his dedication. He has helped clients learn to walk again after being confined to a wheelchair for a long time. He has watched some his clients go from near death to regaining their health. Some clients have told him they would be unable to live in their homes if it wasn’t for his support.
“I like helping other people,” he says. “I realize that I am fortunate to be healthy; everyone needs help sometimes.”
Andy’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Last year, he was a finalist for the PSW of the Year Award from the Personal Support Network of Ontario. He was one of three finalists chosen out of 15,000 PSWs from across Ontario.
