Xiao Ying Yang

I had no choice but to keep working 24-hour shifts for 7 days every week since 1999. One patient

had dementia. Every night when I just fell asleep, she’d use a stick to hit my head. I simply couldn’t

have any proper sleep.

There was another patient whose living condition wasn’t very good, in which I had to use a bucket

to help her bathe. It was too exhausting and it resulted in my waist injury. I could only call the

agency to send someone to replace me. I had to call a taxi to go home. I couldn’t even get in the

cab on my own; the driver had to assist me. I asked the agency to send another job, but the agency

said there was no job, unless you do 24-hour work. I had to tolerate it and keep working even

when I did not feel well. Having been a 24-hour home attendant for more than 10 years, my eyes

became damaged and my waist was injured. I went on disability retirement. The agency never

cared about my injury. Not even a phone call.

24-hour work should be divided into 2 shifts, which is only fair and healthier for both patients and

home attendants. I gave so much of my labor with my hard work, and I demand to get

compensation for all the hours I worked. I hope no home attendant will endure the exploitation

and injury like I did.