Nursing Assistant

Joseph Kearney is one step closer to achieving his dream. This fall, he’ll take a leap.

Kearney, 18, recently passed his final clinical exam to become a certified nursing assistant. It was a milestone of a five-year journey that began tragically when his father was paralyzed in a car crash.

Joseph Kearney Sr. was dozing in the passenger seat of a friend’s car in late 2003 when the friend fell asleep at the wheel and crashed on a freeway in suburban Minneapolis. Nine months later, Joseph Jr. became his dad’s primary caretaker. He was 12 at the time.

The crash put Joseph Jr. on a fast track to adulthood. He juggled the added responsibilities of caring for his father – dressing him, helping him wash and checking his lifeless legs for sores, among many others – with school and a part-time job at McDonald’s.

Caring for his father in their south-side Des Moines home also gave Joseph Jr. a passion for nursing. He graduated early from Lincoln High School and enrolled in a summer nursing assistant program at Mercy College in downtown Des Moines.

Joseph Jr.’s story appeared on the front page of The Des Moines Register, and area residents asked how they could help him achieve the dream.

Jessica Lamer, of Iowans for Social and Economic Development, set up an education fund for Joseph Jr., and people have donated more than $400 for school expenses, Lamer said.

“I wish it were more, but lots of people are still dealing with the effects of the recession, among other things,” Lamer said. “However, I am ecstatic to report that the confidence that Joseph gained after seeing his story in the newspaper and receiving considerable positive community feedback has inspired him.”

Friends and family can see it in his face. A normally subdued, soft-spoken guy, Joseph Jr. beams when he talks about his future.

He’ll be a full-time student at Des Moines Area Community College for the fall semester, and he hopes to start work at a nursing home soon.

Dad still needs Joseph Jr.’s help – like the time dad’s wheelchair got stuck in a leaned-back position at the post office and stranded him for a couple hours – but the two plan to stay close.

“I’m proud of him. I know how tough life can be,” said Joseph Sr., 42. “So, I try to help him relax, too.”(source)