Tracy Dudzinski
When we spoke with Wisconsin direct-care worker Tracy Dudzinski before she took part in this week’s IOM symposium, she seemed a little intimidated about speaking in front of such an esteemed audience of policy professionals and health care advocates.
“It’s scary, but wonderful,” said the Wisconsin mother of four, who became a direct-care worker in 1996 because she “really needed a job.” Since then, however, it has become much more than just a job for Dudzinski who has evolved into an advocate in the field. Last month Dudzinski joined the board of directors of the Direct Care Alliance (DCA).
Her leadership skills have grown and matured over the years as she has accepted the challenges of her job. Long before she joined the DCA board, she was asked to serve on the board of the Wisconsin Direct Caregiver Alliance and to attend the DCA’s Voices Institute. Five years ago she joined Cooperative Care, a member-owned cooperative of direct-care workers in Wautoma, Wisconsin, and now serves as their office assistant.
When asked what she hopes to accomplish by sharing her real-world story at the symposium, Dudzinski, 44, said, “I hope that I can make them realize that what direct-care workers do is very important and we need to be respected for what we do. We are not the bottom of the ladder. . . . We need to make this profession more appealing, and that includes better wages, better benefits, and better training.”
Dudzinski’s interest in improving the lot of direct-care workers is personal as well as professional. Her husband is disabled and three of her children have diabetes. She cannot afford the health insurance offered but Cooperative Care, but instead relies on Wisconsin’s state plan.
Her prepared remarks for Thursday included this simple statement:
People look down on direct-care workers and stereotype them as welfare moms and dumb, lazy people. I can tell you we are not lazy. Direct-care workers are some of the hardest working people I know.
We aren’t dumb, either. If given a chance, direct-care workers are very capable people. The caregivers at Cooperative Care run a million-dollar business. We are psychologists, physical therapists, pharmacists, doctors, chauffeurs, personal shoppers, housekeepers, cooks, and MOST of all COMPASSIONATE SOULS. We care for your mother, your father, your daughter, your son, your grandmother, or your grandfather.
UPDATE: Video of Tracy is now available:
Part One:
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Part Two:
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Congratulations, Tracy; sounds like you were amazing
Tracy’s words echo many other caregiver’s thoughts. We need more direct care workers to stand up for the professional work that they do, to say the same things that Tracy does but in their OWN areas–TELL THEIR STORIES AT HOME–so that the message gets out to employers, communities, and legislators in every community!
Great job Tracy…you’re a real leader and a breath of fresh air. Thanks for doing this.
Tracy is a great inspiration to me and a model of the ideal direct care worker. I have known her since attending the Voices Institute, which was held by the Direct Care Alliance last year. Her story, told at the IOM Symposium, highlights the inherent dignity in direct care work. Bravo, Tracy!!
Tracy is a compassionate leader for WIDCA (Wisconsin Direct Caregiver Alliance), and she is representative of the many thousands of wonderful caregivers who toil each day to provide quality and loving care for those they serve. It is time that she and all DCWs get the recognition and economic compensation they deserve for the important work they do.
Direct Care Workers need more people like Tracy in their ranks who are willing to step forward and speak for them. The nation needs more direct care workers who are responsible and compassionate like Tracy. More people in roles of power need to valorize the role of the direct care worker. It will take everyone to change how we see the role of care giver. Kudos to Tracy.
Thank you Tracy for sharing your story. Direct care workers are true professionals. It is high time that we as a society treat caregivers with the professional respect that they deserve. Better pay, benefits, and training for caregivers are in everyone’s best interests. I would want someone with Tracy’s compassion to care for my mother. Let’s find ways to recruit and retain more Tracys in this honorable field.
I first met Tracy when she began working as a direct care worker for Cooperative Care. As nurse-supervisor for the Co-op I had the priviledge of working with some of the best caregivers I’d ever met.
Tracy impressed me from the first with her compassion and caring but also her desire to improve her skills to provide better care for Cooperative Care clients. To see her grow into her natural leadership role and stong advocate is a joy. Pat Pintar, RN
Great Job Mom, I am very proud! I really never knew what you were going through when I was young, but now I am realizing what you really did for us. Thank You, and I love you!