As a child, Brian Smith was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and then at 10 years old, he became legally blind because of atrophy of both the nerves between his eyes and his brain. Brian’s wife died 10 years ago, and he began needing care every day about seven and a half years ago. That’s when he met Bridger.
Bridger Bateman, RN, formerly worked in trauma and emergency medicine, but then he decided to go to nursing school because he saw the long-term relationships his wife was able to build as a Homecare caregiver. He wanted to see patients in their own environment at home and see his patients and their families grow. That’s exactly what he’s been able to do with Brian.
Brian needs daily homecare visits. Bridger helps check Brian’s blood sugar, draws up the needed amount of insulin, and administers the shot. Then he helps heat up Brian’s lunch and eats with him. Sometimes he’s been known to do a little sweeping or mopping around the apartment too.
“We’ve become like best buds,” Brian says. “Bridger always gets me to laugh. He gives me extra time and we can really relate to each other even though we’re 20 years and one day apart in age.”
“It’s not just, ‘Hi, how you doing, let me check your glucose, all right, we’ll see ya tomorrow,’” Bridger told KSL News. “We take the time to sit and visit and talk about family, talk about world events.”
Bridger provides more than just homecare services to Brian. He’s a friend and helps do the little things that help Brian stay independent and keep living on his own. And Bridger says Brian blesses his life, too. For example, a few years ago when Bridger unexpectedly lost a family member, Brian helped him cope with the loss.
“He wasn’t just a patient or a friend at that time,” Bridger told KSL. “He functioned a lot like a counselor. He functioned a lot like a big brother would.”
“Best bud brother Bridger Bateman,” Brian said on KSL. “He’s just my friend who will always be there.”