Dr Nicola Skyers: A wondrous mom
BECOMING A mother is like being a wonder woman. It’s a 24/7 job with no days off, no sick leave, and resignation is not allowed. But everything is paid for with cuddles, sweet hugs, kisses, and the pure love of a child, which is priceless.
Dr Nicola Skyers envisioned her family life within the context of being a mom. She is family-oriented and opines that bearing a child inside your womb doesn’t only define a woman as a mother.
“Sometimes it is not only through blood, as being a mother is from the heart, caring and loving a child unconditionally is what matters most,” she said.
With the birth of each child, the development of the bond between them continues to warm her heart. For her, motherhood is seeing the profound value in learning about who your children are, and then encouraging and teaching them to be the best versions of themselves.
It is her greatest hope that this acceptance and unconditional love will empower and strengthen her children, as well as foster selfconfidence and kindness.
“The eldest and the youngest have very different personalities and only agree on one thing — the love for the middle child, and they defend her endlessly,” Skyers said. “The youngest is a diva and is always dressing up and wearing makeup. She is a hugger so no matter how anyone is feeling on a particular day, a hug is always at home.”
Skyers currently serves as the director of disease prevention and control in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, where she focuses on non-communicable diseases and injuries. She joined the ministry in 2011 and has served as director, treatment, care and support; and senior medical officer in the HIV/STI/Tb Unit
She holds a medical degree from The University of the West Indies, as well as a master’s degree in public health, with a subspecialty in health education and health promotion. She has also received certification as a health education specialist. Currently, she is an experienced programme manager and continues to manage the implementation of Jamaica’s HIV grants from bilateral and multilateral donors. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in public health.
JUGGLING ACT
She describes her journey as a very careful juggling act, but she achieve’s that balance and middle ground with the strong support of her husband and her extended family, albeit she sees motherhood as being her responsibility to give her children the tools they need to live a happy and meaningful life.
“Motherhood is truly a remarkable gift and a privilege that I hold very close to my heart. To me, being a mother means being fearless, being a positive role model, being a continuous cheerleader for every milestone my children will experience, demonstrating the abundance of unconditional love that has no end, and cherishing the countless memories that are truly priceless,” Skyers said.