20 (or so) Questions with Rhonda Bruso!
Home » 20 (or so) Questions with Rhonda Bruso!
  1. How long have you been with Bost? 29 years
  2. How did you first get involved with Bost, and what sparked that interest? Rhonda’s sister, Donna Jean Green, has been served by Bost for 30 years.  There was a need for her to have a care giver in the evenings and weekends and Rhonda applied to work with her sister.  She says it’s a labor of love and she’s very fortunate because she can work in her own home with her family.  Donna Jean makes it all worth it.  She is the reason Rhonda does what she does.  She was a high school English teacher for 27 years.  When her father passed away and her mother’s health went downhill, it made sense for her to step in to care for Donna Jean, as Rhonda has been a caregiver her entire life.
  3. What does your job entail? Caring for her sister, who is served by Bost.
  4. What has surprised you most about working with Bost? Continually striving to do better and to provide as normal a life for those served by Bost.  They also try to make it a good place for the employees to be as well.
  5. What do you hope will be different about the world we live in as a result of what you do here? Bost does a super job of integrating those with special needs into the community.  Therefore, it lets people like Donna Jean to have as normal a life as she can have.  Her aide, Paula Bostic, is wonderful!  She and Donna Jean go to the mall, Walmart, and the park.  The employees that truly care do a great job of letting those served, our family members, be normal.  The thing that her dad always said and what she keeps in mind now when interviewing caregivers for Donna Jean, is that she must be treated the way you would treat one of your family members or yourself to be treated, with the love and the care.  You can tell a difference in the ones that are there because they love what they do and those that just want a check.  To care for someone, you must care about them as well and not everyone is cut out to take care of someone like Donna Jean.
  6. Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of? Being at Bost for 29 years is her accomplishment.  She tries to be a good representative of the organization in the community. When you see the adults and kids with special needs and they are excited and happy and having a good time, it’s the best!
  7. What do you think other people should know about Bost? Others should know that Bost strives to bring normalization to those we serve to allow them to live a good and happy life of their choosing.
  8. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? Rhonda taught High School English, journalism, and speech for 27 years and she loved it.
  9. What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13? Pick a career that is something you love.  Wake up every day and don’t mind going to that job.  Be prepared for the curves life throws at you because you may think it will be one path but then there is a turn.  Write a new chapter.  Choose something you love to do in life and be prepared for the changes.
  10. Three words to best describe you: committed, dedicated, loving, (kooky, noisy)
  11. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? When she isn’t working, Rhonda loves to spend time with her 5-year-old grandson, Brex.  He’s all boy, full of energy, and wonderful.  He’s so animated and he calls her Ga.  He tells people he loves his Ga because she lets him do anything he wants.  She told him he is not supposed to say that to mom and dad!  He starts school in the fall.  She doesn’t know what she will do without him at her house as often.  He loves church and recently gave the family a bible lesson.
  12. What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know? Deep thinker, loves to travel
  13. Where’s your favorite place in the world? Beach, Panama City, Pensacola
  14. If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Rhonda’s mother recently passed away and her father died several years ago.  She’d like to see them again to ask how they did all the things they did and tell them how thankful she is for all they gave her.  She valued them alive but misses them so much.
  15. What is the one thing you can’t live without? my family and my kids, and their love.
  16. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Healing
  17. What is one food that you cannot resist? Steak
  18. Is there anything else you would like to share with me? Dr. Bost was Donna Jean’s doctor who diagnosed her with Cerebral Palsy.  She was diagnosed at 6 months old when she wasn’t doing the things her peers were doing.  Donna Jean is older than Rhonda, so she has never known a life untouched by disabilities.  Donna Jean has always been in the center of the family and included in all the family activities.  Her grandson, Brex, carries that on even now.  Brex will check on Aunt Donna and make sure she’s okay.  He wiped her face, held her hand, then reported back “I think she’s okay!”

Leslie Dixon, Rhonda’s supervisor, said, “Rhonda stays very involved and active in her consumers plan of care. She is always making sure to report and stay on top of matters. She cares about her consumer and is a team player. Her leadership abilities go beyond expectations. On the side, Rhonda enjoys selling Jewelry online! She could give you more info on this. She does it live on Facebook, some of the characteristics that stand out are her pride, patience, and her great personality to go along with it to help her with her sales.”

 

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