MANATEE-SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – COVID has forced many of us to work from home, and some of us want it to remain this way permanently.
“Being at home in my own office and not having to worry about getting a cup of coffee and having somebody coughing on everything, it’s a relaxing atmosphere now,” Bradenton resident, Todd Kent said.
Kent works as a Senior Billing Specialist for ‘Service Channel,’ a New York company. But he’s isn’t flying every day to get there; he’s working from the comfort of his own home.
“I don’t have to worry about getting sick from somebody, I don’t have to worry about being dragged into some office drama or gossip,” Kent said.
Plus, it’s cheaper.
“I’m not spending money on gas to drive to work every day, I’m not eating out fast food every day,” Kent said.
Working over Zoom calls has opened up a world of opportunity for some folks.
“It’s just been so phenomenal, how many people we’ve been able to reach in different parts of the world,” Certified Dance Teacher from the United Kingdom, Amanda Leycock said.
Leycock is teaching classes all the way from the United Kingdom for a Sarasota non-profit.
“I’ve always thought it was my job as a teacher to be able to differentiate for everybody,” Leycock said. “Those with Parkinson’s, with Alzheimer’s, with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy.”
‘Fresh Dance Limited’ is offering classes for Parkinson Place. And it’s rewarding for all involved.
“I feel alive and connected even though we’re miles apart; it’s wonderful,” Parkinson Place member, Rachel Dolan said.
“They inspire me. It’s unbelievable, I’m just doing a job I love,” Leycock said. “I’ve got some free time in between my other teaching because I’m at home, obviously now teaching online. So, I’m more than happy to do this.”
So happy that moving forward, Leycock says she will be keeping the online classes. And come January, Parkinson Place will be offering one of her classes every week.
Parkinson Place is a non-profit participating in Giving Tuesday. If you want to help those living with Parkinson’s disease, you can donate online.