Ballah Passewee was named the Caregiver of the Month for February 2022!
Tell us a bit about yourself - where did you go to school? Are you working any other jobs now / have you worked any other jobs in the past?
I went to primary education and university in Liberia. I received a bachelors in economics! Fifteen years ago, I came to the U.S. and I have worked with a couple of agencies that work with kids with autism. I have also worked at Home Helpers, and now BrightStar Care.
What do you find most difficult about being a caregiver?
I think the most difficult thing for me is dealing with the realization that no one is immune to being taken care of. Nobody is immune from being sick. When you are providing care, you come to the realization that you can rely on other people to give service to you. When this is your mindset, you are more motivated to achieve your goal.
What do you enjoy most about being a caregiver?
I enjoy when I hear good things from the clients that I give care to. I enjoy it when people acknowledge my hard work, and I also enjoy giving and receiving appreciation from my coworkers and supervisors. It motivates me to do more.
What is a specific moment that has stuck out to you while caregiving?
I had a recent situation in which a client passed away, and was struggling in the last few weeks of their life. For me this is very emotional and these kinds of situations always touch me because I am glad I was able to give my care to them in their last moments.
What do you do in your free time?
In my freetime I take care of my daughter and give her support. I take her to activities that she enjoys. She wants to be involved in school and extracurricular activities and I support this during the day.
What is your favorite season and why?
My favorite season is the summer. It is easier to get around, and nothing comes up that can prevent you from doing your job, which frequently happens in the winter.