- How long have you been with Bost? 17 years. Doesn’t seem like it. My consumer and I are growing older together.
- How did you first get involved with Bost, and what sparked that interest? I moved from OKC back to Fort Smith in 2004 to be near family. I was looking for a job and answered an ad in the paper and it literally changed my life. I started working 3rd shift in the ICFMR group homes. I’d never done this kind of work before so thought 3rd shift would be best because they’d be sleeping most of the time and I couldn’t mess up too bad. I worked all shifts over the years and landed on 1st shift because it was the most fun. I got to spend the best part of the day with them. Got a CDL and drove them back and forth to skills. In 2007 I moved to Waiver and started working with my consumer. It was the beginning of our current story.
- What does your job entail? I do all that I can to give my consumer consistency, routine, and reassurance. I’ve been her staff for more than 14 years. I know her better than anyone. I help her keep her home and herself clean and presentable. We shop, go out to eat with friends, and watch a lot of Marvel movies. Her all time fav is Iron Man. She loves “Tony.” When there is no pandemic we go to all Bost and Arc activities. We go to Christmas and rodeo parades. I make sure she gets to all of her Dr and dentist appointments. I make sure relief staff is comfortable contacting me for any questions, issues, or needs.
- What has surprised you most about working with Bost? It was a surprise to me that I seemed to be good at this job. I was impressed that this company did so much for so many.
- What do you hope will be different about the world we live in as a result of what you do here? We continue to educate people about the folks that we serve. I hope people will continue to educate themselves about people with disabilities and be accepting of them in all situations.
- Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of? My husband had a stroke a year after we were married. He became severely handicapped but I was able to juggle his care with my working with my consumer. She nicknamed him Speed Racer because of his motorized chair. We lost him to Covid this past Jan. My job was a good thing to keep me busy after he passed.
- What do you think other people should know about Bost? People need to know just how many people we help to lead normal, happy lives. The job itself is not for everyone but I encourage anyone to check it out. It may just be the best career choice.
- What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?I’ve worked many different jobs over the years. I didn’t discover Bost until my 50s. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to find the right fit.
- What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?I would probably be retired. My consumer has advised me that I’m not allowed to retire. Retirement would not be good for me.
- Before working at Bost, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had? Straight out of high school I went to work on a horse ranch in Little Rock. My 1st tax return showed “wrangler” as my job title.
- What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13? I would tell my 13 yr old self to get the horse stuff out of my system and then do continuing education on working with people with disabilities and find a company like Bost or actually find Bost. I’ve often said I wish I had discovered this work 40 years ago.
- Three words to best describe you:Funny, loyal, tired 😊
- What do you like to do when you aren’t working? I am a devoted animal lover. I’ve rescued and adopted several cats and dogs. 3 dogs, 4 cats currently. I like spending time with my fur babies and taking care of my flower beds. Very much a plant enthusiast. I like having friends over and sharing a meal that I’ve prepared and sometimes going out and letting someone else cook.
- What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?☝️That my 1st tax return said Wrangler for job description.
- Where’s your favorite place in the world? At home next to the fire pit in my backyard with friends. If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Robin Williams because he was brilliantly funny and kind.
- What is the one thing you can’t live without?My family and my pets
- If you could have any superpower what would it be? Invisibility. I often said I’d like to be a fly on the wall at times.
- What is one food that you cannot resist?A good hotdog
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