This Is Why I’m a Nurse: Ali Lesteberg
When I was 14, my dad experienced an awful accident where he suffered a spinal cord injury and was airlifted to HCMC. He was pronounced paralyzed from the waist down. We were told he would never walk again. My dad was hospitalized for 6 months at HCMC and during that time suffered many complications. My dad spent his weekdays alone in the hospital with our mom bringing my sisters and I to visit every chance we could when we weren’t in school. When we couldn’t be there, I knew he wasn’t alone. The people that were there for my dad 24 hours a day, seven days a week, were not his family or friends, but his nurses. The nurses were always there. Whether it was to check his wounds, administer medications, perform exercises, or even just to visit with my dad. The nurses were his rock. I could see the trust. I could see the respect. I could see that the nurses truly cared.
“I could see the trust. I could see the respect. I could see that the nurses truly cared. “
The nurses got to know the person behind the patient and truly cared about my dad, his family, and his outcome. Without the nurses being there every day to truly care, listen, and heal, my dad would never be where he is today. Because of them, he was able to walk again. It may not have been the way it was before the accident, but to me, it was better. To this day, every time I see him walk, I think of everything he went through and the amazing nurses who helped him get there and everything they did for my family. For that, I am grateful. I had decided by the time I was 15 that I wanted to become a nurse. If I could make a difference in just one person’s life, the way they did for my dad and our family, that would be enough.
Ali Lesteberg, RN – Manager
Ambulatory Nursing Services – Carris Health
Ali, thank you for sharing your story and for the shadow you cast as a leader.
I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished. You are a shining example of why I love to teach! You were a great CNA in high school, and you’re a great nurse now! Keep learning!!