By: Maria Burns

Becoming a parent is likely the most significant challenge many will face. Parents spend months and months preparing for their child yet still have so many unanswered questions when they arrive. Then 2020 hit, and the routine for parents was changed drastically. Instead of getting your children ready to get on the bus, you are now waking them up so they can sit at the kitchen table to log on to their computers for class. Parents quickly gained the label teacher, cafeteria worker, classmate, and so much more. Many parents had to learn the technology their children needed quickly to succeed in school.

The pandemic greatly affected many working parents. They scrambled to adjust their work schedules or find people to watch their children so that they could continue to provide for their families. For many medical professions, they started looking into other options to ensure they could provide for their loved ones. One Krucial Krew Nurse Ivyonne talks about the struggles of being a parent while on deployment.

“The biggest challenge I faced while I was on deployment was being away from my two- and three-year-old. I had never been away from them longer than 24 hours, and here I was, signing up for a two-week contract and possibly longer! [The] only way we had to keep in touch was through FaceTime. It always brought tears to my eyes, especially because they did not understand why I was away from them for so long. Given another chance, I would most definitely go again. My husband has proven himself extremely capable of caring for our girls in my absence. Krucial was the first company I had heard of when they started the pandemic relief in New York City.

“After I gathered myself, I knew [Krucial was] who I wanted to go with [to help others]. COVID-19 is and was a challenge, and Krucial was up for it; I was too. It was hard. The numbers were rising and rising. I knew I had to do something; we all had to do something. One patient a day, that was my motto. I made it my duty to speak positivity into them even when they felt defeated—some happy moments when I wheeled them out of the hospital stable. Sad, when I looked in their eyes, and I knew it would be a difficult fight. Sometimes COVID-19 won.

“This pandemic is my why. I’ve heard and read of such times. This is my first experience [traveling], and I have a front-row seat. I’m here to answer the call; I’m here to fight this monster. I’m fighting for my patients, my family, and my friends. All of us in this together. I hold my patients’ hands for their families who cannot be there with them when they need them the most. I am their nurse.”

Ivyonne, along with many other parents, chose to leave their families for numerous reasons. Still, one common motivator is to help those during their most significant time of need. They have given up on many memories with their loved ones but gained so much during their deployment. Their selflessness and kind heart do not go unnoticed.

Krucial cannot thank the parents who have deployed with us or will deploy with us in the future enough. We see and hear you. We understand the struggle and sadness that comes with watching your children grow up via Facetime. You are a true hero.

If you are a parent who has deployed with Krucial, please remember: You are the reason patients keep fighting. You are a fighter and giver. We are here to remind you that you are an incredible parent and person. Our compassionate Krew has touched many lives. Thank you.