Called to care: How Christine found her purpose as a PSW
Christine O’Donovan spent more than three decades working in the finance sector, supporting clients to build their financial futures. It wasn’t until a life-changing family emergency that she discovered her true calling. That turning point led her to the heart of community health care as a personal support worker (PSW) with VON Assisted Living in Middlesex-Elgin, Ontario.
“I’m the youngest of six,” Christine shares. “I started working when I was 18 through a co-op program in high school. A big part of my role was helping people with their financial health. In many ways, that experience was transferable because it's still about helping people improve their lives.”
In January 2023, Christine’s brother and sister-in-law were involved in an accident in British Columbia. Both survived but sustained multiple serious injuries. Christine took a two-month compassionate leave and flew across the country to care for them.
For weeks, she found herself immersed in hands-on caregiving. She drove between hospitals, assisted with daily needs, and provided comfort throughout their recovery. It was during this time that she recognized the nature of her support was similar to that of a PSW.
“Even the smallest wrinkle in a sheet can cause pain when someone is bedridden,” she recalls. “I was doing everything from picking up supplies to providing personal care. And after about five or six weeks, I thought, this is what I should be doing for the rest of my working life.”
When she returned home in early April, Christine gave her notice at work. By May, she had enrolled in the personal support worker program at Fanshawe College.
“I was so proud to share with my three sons that I made the Dean’s List,” she said, smiling. “It was an amazing experience going back to school and learning alongside people from different countries and walks of life. We shared our backgrounds and reasons for being there. It was incredibly enriching.”
Her training included a placement with VON Canada, which led to her current role. “It’s a real privilege to help people stay in their own homes and be as independent as possible,” she explains. “Not all of our clients are seniors. We support young people, individuals with dementia, disabilities, and people from all walks of life.”
Christine is mindful that her role extends beyond physical care. Entering someone’s home, often at vulnerable moments, demands trust, empathy, and respect.
“We’re stepping into their space and their world, and that can be difficult for them too,” she says. “We need to be patient, keep an open mind, and remember what matters most. Helping someone maintain their autonomy and dignity is a big part of what we do.”
Christine continues to provide care and comfort to her clients in the community.
“I’m so happy and grateful to be doing this work at this stage in my life,” she says. “To love what you do, to feel fulfilled, and to know that you’ve made a real difference in someone’s life every single day. That’s incredibly meaningful.”
Christine’s story is a powerful testament to the value of caregiving and the courage it takes to start a new chapter later in life. Through her work with VON, she is not only improving the lives of clients but also living out her own purpose.
To learn more about PSW services or to support VON’s essential work in communities across Canada, visit von.ca.
