In a world where people often prioritize their careers and personal ambitions over everything else, it is refreshing to see someone who puts their family first.
Chris Punsalan is one such person, who chose to dedicate his life to taking care of his 96-year-old grandmother when she ran out of caregivers in the Philippines.
Chris was a digital content creator and musician based in Nevada when he received the news that his grandmother needed a full-time caregiver. The distance between Nevada and the Philippines made it impossible for his family to take care of his grandmother, and they considered sending her to a care home. However, Chris knew that it was not how Filipinos took care of their elderly family members. He wanted to honor the sacrifices his grandmother had made for him, and so he decided to move back to the Philippines to be with her.
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“She took care of me and I would hate to see her go to homecare, which is where I feel most grandparents go in America,” said Chris to the local news network ABS-CBN. “They go to home care because nobody is able to take care of them.”
It was a difficult decision for Chris to make, as he had to give up his job and his life in the United States to take care of his grandmother.
But he did not hesitate for a second, knowing that his grandmother had always been there for him when he needed her.
“She took care of me, and I would hate to see her go to homecare, which is where I feel most grandparents go in America,” he said.
Chris’s decision to become his grandmother’s full-time caregiver was not only admirable but also inspiring.
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He uploaded a video summary of his typical day with his grandmother. He posted a montage of the chores he had to do and the conversations they were having.
It caught the attention of many people, and he became viral on social media. He started to document his daily life with his grandmother, sharing videos and photos of their conversations and activities. Through his content, Chris showed the world the importance of family, and how taking care of your loved ones is the most rewarding thing you can do in life.
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He was deeply admired by his audience because he carried out his task with pride and love. But it was not as easy as he made it look.
Taking care of his grandmother was not an easy task for Chris, as he had to face challenges every day. He had to adjust to a new environment, learn new skills, and take on new responsibilities. But the most difficult part was seeing his grandmother forget who he was at times.
“To see her forget who I am sometimes and for me to have to remind her,” he said, “that’s probably one of the more difficult things because it’s a constant reminder that life is very fragile, and it’s very short.”
Despite the challenges, Chris remained positive and committed to his role as a caregiver. He showed his grandmother unconditional love and affection, and she responded with gratitude and joy. Their bond grew stronger every day, and Chris cherished every moment he spent with her.
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One of the biggest takeaways he has from the experience is to cherish your loved ones. He said that saying life is so short and fragile is such a cliché, but it is only the case because it is true in any context and culture.
Chris’s story touched the hearts of many people, not only in the Philippines but around the world. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration, reminding us all of the importance of family and the sacrifices we are willing to make for our loved ones. He hopes that his story will inspire others to do the same, and to cherish their families while they still have them.
In conclusion, Chris Punsalan’s decision to become his grandmother’s full-time caregiver is a testament to the power of love and family. He gave up his career and his life in the United States to take care of his grandmother, showing the world that family always comes first. Through his content, he inspired people to cherish their loved ones and to commit some of their time to be with them. Chris’s story is a reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of the time we have with the people we love.