Shikha Bansal’s caregiving journey is shaped by devotion, sacrifice, and a deep belief in her daughter’s potential. A San Diego County resident for more than 11 years, Shikha began her path as an IHSS provider in January 2025. While her time as a provider is relatively recent, the care she gives is rooted in years of lived experience as a parent and advocate.
Before caregiving became her life’s focus, Shikha worked as a journalist and news producer. She built a career around storytelling and public service, with goals and plans like many working women. That path changed when her daughter was diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
“Before I became a caregiver, I was a working woman with dreams and plans like many others,” Shikha says. “Then my child was diagnosed and my priorities quietly shifted. I stepped away from my career, not because it was easy, but because my child needed me.”
As she stepped into the role of full-time caregiver, Shikha discovered a deeper understanding of her daughter. She learned not only how to care for her, but how to recognize her strengths and abilities.
“I didn’t just learn how to care. I learned how to truly see her,” she says. “Her challenges, yes… but also her strengths. Her remarkable connection with numbers and calendars showed me how much potential was waiting to be nurtured.”
Becoming an IHSS provider allowed Shikha to care for her daughter at home with stability and dignity. “When our family enrolled in IHSS, it brought something we had been missing for a long time, stability,” she says. “It allowed me to care for my child at home with dignity, consistency, and purpose.”
Caregiving shapes every part of Shikha’s daily life. Her daughter is homeschooled, and Shikha sits alongside her during classes, helping with schoolwork, notes, and daily schedules. She prepares three homemade meals each day and transports her daughter to multiple therapies, including RDI therapy, chiropractic care, and support for muscle tone. She also makes sure her daughter has opportunities for social engagement through activities like karate and cooking classes.
“I have to be home with her during her many therapies to make sure we are all on the same page for her care,” Shikha explains. Alongside her caregiving responsibilities, she manages daily household chores and adapts constantly to her daughter’s changing needs.
Shikha joined UDW in 2025 during her IHSS orientation, and the union has played a critical role in helping her navigate caregiving and advocacy. “Through UDW, I found more than representation. I found a voice,” she says. “Their support helped me feel seen not just as a provider, but as a parent navigating care every day.”
She credits the union with helping her understand her rights, advocate for additional hours, and learn about member benefits. Shikha is especially proud of UDW’s recent victories, including the new contract that increased wages for San Diego County IHSS providers. She also volunteered during the Prop 50 campaign and says that involvement made her feel part of something larger.
“They are fighting for people like us,” she says, “and I am thankful to everyone who fought for these victories.”
Through UDW, Shikha has grown into a community leader. She has spoken at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, sharing her story and advocating for caregivers and families. “They gave me the chance to speak, and I really felt heard,” she says.
Her union involvement has also strengthened her sense of community. Through volunteer work, making calls, and outreach to other caregivers, Shikha has built connections and found purpose. “When I go volunteer with UDW, I make so many new connections,” she says. “I am happy to contribute to my community.”
For Shikha, IHSS has meant more than financial support. “IHSS didn’t just support our family. It gave us breathing room. It gave us hope,” she says. “And it reminded me that care, real care, matters. This is why I speak. For my child. For families like ours. And for a future built on support, not silence.”
Despite the stability IHSS provides, challenges remain. Shikha’s family relies on insurance through her husband’s employer, and rising health premiums continue to strain their finances. Some critical therapies, including RDI therapy, are not covered by Medi-Cal or private insurance, forcing her to pay out of pocket.
Still, Shikha remains committed to her daughter and to the broader caregiving community. Her story reflects resilience, advocacy, and a mother’s determination to ensure her child receives the care, respect, and opportunity she deserves.
Discover more inspiring member stories at udw.org/our-stories.