| Exceptional
Women |
|
| Donna Chesney
– in her own words |
 |
After 55 years and a long history of working for
other people, I decided to start my own company. I
sat down and asked the questions: What next? What do
I love? I love driving, shopping and seniors. What
can I do to give back and make money? |
I attended the North Shore Self-Employment Program
sponsored by Service Canada and got the information
and investigation I needed. I started Stepping
Out....Enterprises. I go by Stepping Out with Donna.
I offer seniors a one on one outing to go shopping,
do errands, medical appointments and tours within
Vancouver's lower mainland or 2-3 day trips out of
town. I wanted to help seniors stay active,
stimulated, give them choices and a sense of
freedom. So many seniors feel stuck when they lose
their cars. I provide door-to-door service and offer
them choices, and then they decide what they want to
do. I take them where they want to go and help them
achieve their goals. If they want ideas or
direction, I provide it. If someone wants to
purchase a gift but is not sure what to get, I give
feedback. If they want to go on a plane flight or a
cruise but need more help than a
taxi will provide, I provide it and cut through the
confusion at terminals and get them on their way. I
love seniors because of their contribution to
society, their values and their stories. What better
way to spend my time?
My mother is 94 and very active. She has a large
family to help her out. She is constantly on the go
and the stimulation is obviously keeping her brain
stimulated and gives her a good quality of life. I
look at seniors and see my parents; I want them to
have fun, too, and I want to help provide it. What
happens to people who don't always have family
available?
In today’s world, people are living much longer but,
without quality of life, longevity isn’t pleasant.
Families, in many cases, are not in the same city or
are working. The senior without transportation is
stuck and experiences loneliness and boredom.
Families of seniors want their parents to have fun
and they worry about them being lonely, but they
just can't be there all the time. The children of
seniors can also hire me to help their loved one
when they are not available. It works well for
everyone!
Visit Donna's website
http://www.steppingout.ca |
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