A Day in the Life of Gilchrist Kids Hospice Aide, Keionna Carter

Keionna Carter always wanted to work with people.
Straight out of high school, Carter starting working at a nursing home. At first she made beds and passed out water, but when she got the opportunity to start more direct patient care she took the opportunity.
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She’s worked in hospitals, mental institutions and now works with Gilchrist Kids taking care of child hospice patients. That’s how Carter met 12-year-old Ian Scher.
Scher has Pontocerebella Hypoplasia type 1, a rare genetic condition that impacts brain development. The condition has left Scher bed-ridden, but that doesn’t stop his smile from brightening a room.
"I think it betters me as a person," Carter said of working with child hospice patients. "I really do enjoy working with children because I have the chance to just let down my guard and not just do a job, but also go in and help someone who is in need of this type of service at this time."

Carter said Scher is a sweet person who takes a little time and support to warm up to strangers.

Scher is also a big fan of Spider-Man. The superhero adorns his blue bedroom where Carter cares for him on her visits, and much to his enjoyment, a family friend is working on a book documenting the adventures of “Spider-Ian.”

“Especially when it comes to children, you have to just be yourself. Be energetic, be fun, you can't really show emotion and let them see that -- whatever's going on, something's wrong -- you have to hide all that," Keionna Carter said.

A Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2