Kaitlyn

Stratford, Connecticut

Kaitlyn has been a nurse for nearly a decade. She sees family members’ stress as they try to be present for their loved one while juggling a job and other responsibilities. Recently she cared for a new mother who had to return to work within two weeks. The patient’s partner also had no paid time. “It was heartbreaking to see how much stress was in that room,” Kaitlyn said. Last year her own mother became seriously ill and developed a hematoma after surgery. Kaitlyn became the caregiver while working full-time. “I see how difficult it is for me as a health care practitioner to navigate the system and can only imagine how hard it is for people without that experience. We all need paid leave.”