Experience Puts Martha in Perfect Position to Help Others
Martha Morgan has been determined to turn a series of heartbreaking personal tragedies into something good as an award-winning Home Instead® Care Professional in San Angelo, Texas. Martha’s husband and all three of her sons died during an 11-year period from Huntington’s disease. Martha’s only daughter, Selena, is a registered nurse in San Antonio.
Huntington’s causes nerve cells in the brain to decay over time. The disease affects a person’s movements, thinking ability and mental health.
“My husband, who carried the Huntington’s gene, died in 2008. He was diagnosed with the disease at 47 and lived 10 years after diagnosis. Our sons lived for 13 or 14 years after each was diagnosed,” Martha explained. Their youngest son died in 2009 (David, age 20), their oldest son (Adam Jr., 28) died in 2014 and their middle son died in 2019 (Daniel, 32). Martha took care of all four in their home with the help of her daughter, other family members, friends and some in the medical community. None of Martha’s afflicted loved ones went to a care community.
“I had a friend check on my kids when I had to work. I had many friends who loved my kids and wanted to help. As early as age 6, my daughter was helping me, too. She told me as we went through those challenges that she was going to become a nurse, and she did,” Martha said. “Dealing with Huntington’s, I had to learn an enormous number of things to keep my loved ones at home, and I did. They all received my best efforts.”
Martha unpacked her thoughts while noting the family caregiving experiences provided her with the physical skills and emotional wherewithal to be a top-notch senior-care professional.
- “My pain still hurts like it was yesterday. I’ve been a Christian my entire life. But I’ve asked and even cried out, ‘Why me, God? Why choose me for this?’ Then the answer occurred to me: ‘Because you can do it, you can help others.’ ”
- “One doctor told me late one night in a hospital ER to ‘let your son go.’ I said: ‘It’s up to God to decide, not any doctor. It’s God’s will, He could decide to heal my son.’ I wanted to give my loved ones every chance. They received my best care.”
- “As the Huntington’s storm passed, there was a residual hurt, but it also made me feel good to know I could help just about anybody as a caregiver. I’ve done this kind of work 40 years, either as a family caregiver or a professional.”
- “My knowledge extended to many medical aspects of care. I didn’t have any capital letters at the end of my name, such as RN, LPN or CNA, but I learned how to do anything my loved ones needed.”
Martha added: “Just as I was there for my loved ones, and I am here now for my Home Instead clients. I do everything I can, even if it means driving distances or being with them in the middle of the night. I never say no. I love to work with them and help them. I want my clients to know they don’t have to go through their challenges alone, and they shouldn’t give up. I pray for
clients. I know some people don’t believe in God, and we have conversations if they want to talk about it. I say, ‘Don’t give up. God does things in His time.’ ”
Martha’s clients insist on having her take care of them. The Home Instead staff has heard from clients: “I want only Martha, nobody else.” In fact, there are doctors, physical therapists and other medical professionals in the city who know Martha through her care for her family members, and they have told Martha’s clients, “This is a good lady. She’s a keeper.”
Martha started with Home Instead on April 25, 2024, at the San Angelo office, whose co-owners are Lorena and William Shensky. The Shenskys set up their operation in San Angelo several years after they bought the Home Instead franchise in Midland-Odessa on March 1, 2020. Both are award-winning offices.
Martha learned of Home Instead through a family member. “My sister is a private-duty caregiver, and she met Shanna Murphree, the home-care consultant and client-care coordinator at Home Instead’s San Angelo office. Shanna told my sister about Home Instead and how they were looking for Care Pros. My sister suggested I apply there, so I did,” Martha recalled.
After interviewing Martha, Shanna said, “Martha was an excellent job candidate. We wanted her to come work for us.” Imelda Hawkins, the human resources director, assistant administrator, and recruitment and engagement coordinator at the Midland-Odessa office, agreed. A little more than six months later, Martha was honored as Care Pro of the Month for both offices.
“We were happy to shine our November spotlight on Martha. She has embedded herself in the hearts of about 16 seniors since she started. Martha’s compassionate heart and funny personality quickly make her a client favorite. She often goes above and beyond to fulfill her clients’ needs. As November was the season to be grateful, thankful and blessed, Martha is exactly that for us. Congratulations, Martha!” Imelda said.
Martha said: “It makes me feel good to work for someone who appreciates me and what I do for others. I’ll keep working until God takes me because I think God put me in this work for a purpose. I told Imelda: ‘Please give me the hours so I am not alone at home.’ My clients make me feel good because I know I can help them. I told my daughter that God had us go through the sorrow and heartbreak, but we learned from it, and there will be a reward later.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
