Since Nitin Samtani was 13, he has been taking care of his paralyzed mother. She suffered a severe stroke 16 years ago; a result of an aneurysm that almost killed her.
After awaking from a coma, she faced paralysis of her right side. Her mouth muscles were also affected and she was unable to speak.
Nitin Samtani has been by her side since. He has sacrificed vacations, youthful journeys, teenage years, and now young adulthood.
He holds fond and loving memories of his caring able-bodied mother. After her stroke, his mother’s intense determination to become as independent as possible while trying to look after her family has kept him by her side all these years.
This man has given his youth unselfishly for his love for his mother. And to be a son taking care of his mother can be very difficult. I admire his compassion.
Mom’s Caregiver & TCV’s CotM Selection Committee Member
After Nitin completed high school, he commuted to a four-year college obtaining his degree while returning home each day after classes to look after his mom. He attended with student loans hoping his mother’s condition would improve and he could pursue a career in his major after graduation.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Samtani’s condition hasn’t improved enough for Nitin to start working full time. Instead, his full-time job now is caregiver for his mother.
Nitin shows a lot of compassion. He is always smiling and never complaining. His attitude is remarkable; so is his mom’s.
For a young person to give up his youth to care for his grandmother and mother for such a long time is extraordinary. Nitin Samtani and those like him make our world a better place to live.
Former Caregiver for Father-in-Law & TCV’s CotM Selection Committee Member
Caregiver of the Month, Nitin Samtani, with his mom
I learn the lesson every time I visit about doing your duty in life no matter what–be it as a son, as a caregiver, or as a friend. I have seen him and his family go through many difficulties; including financial, physical and emotional.
Nitin says his mom’s will and determination and her positive attitude have kept him positive and looking forward to better times.
It is always amazing to witness the capacity for sacrifice an individual can make; especially, in someone as young as Nitin. Kudos to him for being an atypical teen by accepting the responsibilities of caring for his mother and grandmother.
Former Caregiver for (late) Husband & TCV’s CotM Selection Committee Member
During 12 of the 16 years he has been caring for his mother, he also looked after his grandmother, who lived with him since early childhood. When she was diagnosed at age 92 with breast cancer, Nitin transported her to all her radiation treatments and gave her more attention even as her condition worsened during the last 6 months of her life.
He is a caregiving role model for the young-adult generation.
Nominated by Hemant Wadhwani
The Caregiver’s Voice will be sending Nitin several gifts:
A book, How to Swallow Safely.
A Comfort kit, compliments of CaringBridge.org.
A DVD of The Brain, Its Functions, and The Power of Activities.
Nitin,
What you have done is truly heroic. You have a lot of character, and your mom can be very proud of you.
You should be proud and thankful to her too, not only for her positive attitude, but for raising you the way you are.
In my country, if somebody does a good deed people say: “thank to the parents who raised you this way.”
May God send His blessings on you and your mom.
If you even need any help you can always count on me.
Thank you El and Gabe for taking time to write comments encouraging Nitin.
Having people like you in caregivers’ lives make the caregiving road a little easier to navigate.
Again, thank you, both.
It’s great to learn such an honor has been granted to such a deserving man.
I feel blessed to have known Nitin as a good friend during my time living in Virginia Beach for two years. He is a man of good upstanding character and a great role model for the Biblical law of honoring thy mother (parents on general).
Congratulations for doing what comes natural in your heart to do.
May GOD bless you and your mom.
GABE
I feel blessed to have happened upon this website today, and particularly to have read about this inspirational young man. His dedication and and obvious strength of character — and all at such a young age, especially — exemplifies all that is good in humanity. It is a helpful reminder to me that love and determination can indeed move mountains. Thank you for the privilege of reading about him!
Karen, thank you for taking time to share your words of appreciation.
I salute Nitin for not giving into life’s excuses. For being there where human touch is needed, on the ground floor, eye to eye.
The character you are developing here is chiseling you into a great humanitarian. I will say how lucky you are that your mother is conscious and appreciative of your efforts.
I imagine though that if your mother’s mental state declined, you would apply yourself to connecting to the core of her soul down to the minute of her last breath, long after many would say “there is nothing left, why bother. Have others look after her.”
Tonight on CNN, Larry King will host a special on Alzheimer’s. The teaser shows a young actor and his wife; her mother has early onset Alzheimer’s. From what was shown on the brief teaser segment, the concern King evoked with them was how they could even stand the loss of the woman they once knew. The wife said her father was caring for her Mom. In my head I am screaming, “Are those two going to go over and actually HELP?!!” Is that all society can stand, to interview two people who KNOW someone with Alzheimer’s… and they cannot tolerate her being that way? I will see if the full interview says how they are actually helping, day in and day out, regardless…
Bless you for your work and your spirit. The world needs more like you. And the world needs the expectation that we will care for our own, and that includes children who can be involved in many ways.
Carol
sole caregiver, Mother with Alzheimer’s, for nine full years.
Carol, as our Caregiver of the Month of November 2010, your words mean even more because you are still walking the family caregiving path that Nitin walks. Thank you for taking time to comment.