Meet Salena McKelvey | The Young Caregiver, Accountant & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Salena McKelvey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Salena, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Not comparing my journey to anyone else is the most important factor behind my success. Also having the understanding that success is subjective, most people don’t define success the same. My parents drilled in my head at a young age that the end goal is being a self-sufficient adult. How I got to that goal was up to me. I’ve always told myself if I do my best, I would never be hard on myself about the outcome. There are times I know I haven’t performed at the best of my ability and in those moments I self-correct. Success is about being able to hold yourself accountable and being honest with yourself about what you want and what it takes to get to that point. Your goals change as you experience life. As I maneuver through life challenges, I ask myself, will I have peace at the end of my life if I change or remove a goal? The answer to that question dictates my focus for that season. I remember a pastor saying that everyone has the ability to be good but everyone doesn’t possess the discipline to be great. From that point on I asked myself do you want to be good or do you want to be great?

The success of my brand is fueled by my passion to help others. I’m a strong believer that we don’t go through hard times for ourselves. I hope that my sharing of my experience as a caregiver helps someone on their journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My whole world changed in a matter of days in July of 2014, my Dad suffered a second stroke and my Mom was diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia. Both were in the same hospital and I was living at the hospital to be accessible for their care teams. It was an easy decision to take care of my parents in their home. I could never tear them apart because of the love I witnessed between my parents. Little did we know that would be their last year together.

In 2018, I realized that purpose is birthed from passion, pain, or the beautiful marriage of both. During my caregiving journey, I experienced a lot of things others could benefit from so I started the blog “The Young Caregiver” to be a resource and inspiration to caregivers. Also, I authored a Caregiver’s Journal titled, “Plan of Action: How to Save Your Own Life” because caregiving affects you physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. My journal is different from others because it’s a journal that focuses on the caregiver and it’s for caregivers by a caregiver.

I feel the presence of my Dad daily and my Mom continues to survive dementia. We can’t choose our tests and trials, but we can control our reactions and what happens after the storm. Will you choose to live or will you choose to just exist? I chose to live with the goal that I will do everything I was put on this earth to do and leave empty.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Atlanta. The best view of the city is at the Sun Dial restaurant at the Westin. The restaurant rotates and gives you an amazing view of the city. The food and service are top-notch. There are usually great concerts that come through the city at outdoor venues. There is always something to do in Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I learned how to be a caregiver from watching my parents. I would be with my parents when they went to older family members’ houses to clean and fix things around the house. My Mom took care of me when I had spinal surgery at 13. She took care of my Dad after his brain surgery, kidney transplant, heart attack, triple bypass, and first stroke. My parents were sometimes strict but they built me Ford Tough. It’s because of their support, love, and teachings that I’m able to stand strong through storms. I love my parents with everything in me and will honor them till my last breath.

I want to thank my son Julian Benjamin for pushing me to execute the vision that God gave me. I wrote the outline for the Caregiver’s Journal in 2018 but I started writing it in 2021 when he was five weeks old. I want Julian to know your trials and tribulations are just apart of your story not the end. I love you son and I’m forever grateful for God blessing me with you.

I appreciate my village of friends and family that helped me through the most difficult time of my life. There are too many to name but those that have prayed, cooked, sat with my parents while I ran errands, packed, and so much more; I love you.

Website: theyoungcaregiver.com

Instagram: theyoungcaregiver

Twitter: Young_Caregiver

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngcaregiver/

Other: “Plan of Action: How to Save Your Own Life, A Caregiver’s Journal” can be purchased on Amazon.com

Image Credits
The solo picture of my Dad was taken by Olan Mills. The picture of me and my Mom with her in the chair was taken at Portrait Innovations.