What factors are important in choosing an outside caregiver for a child with a spinal cord injury? - Dawn Sheaffer, MSW

I think about it as partnering, that you are looking for someone who is going to work with you, and take into account your family’s needs, your family structure, how that person will fit into your household or your home, as well as their clinical abilities to meet your child’s needs. And a sense of mutual respect, it has to be a two-way street. Trust your gut instincts in terms of “is this a person that you feel like you can work with?” and that is going to listen to you, but that you can also listen to them. As parents, you are the expert on your child, but you’re bringing a medical expert into your home and how those two pieces fit together. And I think it requires a lot of good communication and a lot give-and-take on both sides.