Only 1 month into 2020 year it has already proven good things. Often I say how humbled I am to work with everyday heroes at the Arc. I celebrate with you two incidences that speak to the integrity and quality of the people we call our heroes. Within a five day span in January we had two incidences where a life was saved!
On a Friday evening, a resident at one of our locations started choking on their phlegm. While keeping the person calm and assured, staff intervened, acted quickly with extraordinary measures . I shout out to the staff on duty there that day: Direct Support Professionals Nicole Judkins, Alex Phillips, and Kylie Wood and Urschelle Reid, an RN consultant from Nurses Finders. I want to also recognize Kelly Hull, our amazing RN Supervisor, who advocated for the individual to be brought to the hospital, after EMT's deemed him fine, to be sure his health was no longer compromised. A thank you as well to Lucinda Ballard and Amber Mulford who were involved with phone and other support.
While I am thanking people I’d like to note that staff used an Automated External Defibrillator as part of their life-saving efforts. Chris Liuzzo, a long time Associate Executive Director, now retired, and Tracey Hempel, our current Associate Executive Director of Family and Community, advocated for AED's to be installed in some of our homes and offices.
So much work is accomplished every day by our Direct Support Professionals within our programs, our nurses, trainers, and all staff. At some point all our staff touch our supports and services in some fashion. With staffing issues and people balancing their own lives life sure can get away from you. Sometimes we lose sight of celebrating successes as they pass by. I did not want this good news to sit inside our walls. Kudos to the staff of The Arc of Rensselaer County.
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