Justin Graf
May 2025
Justin
Graf
,
RN
AAU
Indiana University Health West Hospital
Avon
,
IN
United States
On New Year's Day, January 1st, 2025, our dad reached 100 days of sobriety, and we all know that it could not have been done without you and your initial hopeful words and encouragement and care for him.
The day my dad got admitted to the hospital was a day my brother and I knew would eventually come due to his struggle with alcohol, but we had no idea the number of emotions and struggles that would come with his stay. My brother, 29, and I, 24, are the main support system for our father, and finding out just how bad his liver was took a toll on us all in many ways. It was the wake-up call our dad needed to turn his life around and begin his journey to a sober life.
We were all stressed and sad and had so many worries and questions. We had no idea how to help our dad. However, we knew that our dad needed help, and if he did not make major life changes, he would not be around for much longer to enjoy life with my brother and me and his grandkids or have the chance to walk me down the aisle and be a grandpa to my future children one day. Our dad has so much love to give, but had an addiction that kept him from a joyful life, and an addiction that led him to his stay at IU West. This was when we had the pleasure of meeting Justin in the AAU of IU Health West.
Justin was the calm in our storm. Not only did he perform all his nursing duties with extreme care and love, but he also took time in his busy days to really check in with us all. He really cared about our hearts and the situation we were facing. He would help me and my brother wrap our heads around the situation and try to help us find the proper next steps for our dad. He would have long chats with our dad while we were gone, and speak about life and encouragement for him for the journey that was ahead of him.
Justin shared his own story with us about his father and was really vulnerable to us all in a way that made us all feel supported and cared for. He did not have to do any of this; the extra steps he was taking for us were not in his nursing-required duties. He was doing all of this out of his own heart and care for us.
We did not have to feel bad about going home and leaving our dad there alone because we knew Justin was going to be there to meet his physical and emotional needs. Justin, we want to thank you for being you. You truly have no idea the impact you made on our dad and his recovery.
On New Year's Day, January 1st, 2025, our dad reached 100 days of sobriety, and we all know that it could not have been done without you and your initial hopeful words and encouragement and care for him. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will never forget you; you were a gift sent from God. God Bless.
This is Justin's Second Award!
We were all stressed and sad and had so many worries and questions. We had no idea how to help our dad. However, we knew that our dad needed help, and if he did not make major life changes, he would not be around for much longer to enjoy life with my brother and me and his grandkids or have the chance to walk me down the aisle and be a grandpa to my future children one day. Our dad has so much love to give, but had an addiction that kept him from a joyful life, and an addiction that led him to his stay at IU West. This was when we had the pleasure of meeting Justin in the AAU of IU Health West.
Justin was the calm in our storm. Not only did he perform all his nursing duties with extreme care and love, but he also took time in his busy days to really check in with us all. He really cared about our hearts and the situation we were facing. He would help me and my brother wrap our heads around the situation and try to help us find the proper next steps for our dad. He would have long chats with our dad while we were gone, and speak about life and encouragement for him for the journey that was ahead of him.
Justin shared his own story with us about his father and was really vulnerable to us all in a way that made us all feel supported and cared for. He did not have to do any of this; the extra steps he was taking for us were not in his nursing-required duties. He was doing all of this out of his own heart and care for us.
We did not have to feel bad about going home and leaving our dad there alone because we knew Justin was going to be there to meet his physical and emotional needs. Justin, we want to thank you for being you. You truly have no idea the impact you made on our dad and his recovery.
On New Year's Day, January 1st, 2025, our dad reached 100 days of sobriety, and we all know that it could not have been done without you and your initial hopeful words and encouragement and care for him. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will never forget you; you were a gift sent from God. God Bless.
This is Justin's Second Award!