Deborah Garrett - CNA Heroes on CNA-TV
Channel: CNA TV - NAHCA Broadcasting Network
Date: 14/09/2019

This week's CNA Hero is another that I honored at CNA Fest 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  
Deborah Garrett at the age of 24 was trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.  Her friends was a nursing assistant and she even shadowed her for a shift only to have her friend tell her afterwards "this is not for you".
So she worked a variety of jobs, none of which she says were meaningful or successful, but they allowed her to work around her schedule caring for her son who was diagnosed with a severe and lifelong mental health condition.  She advocated for him as his primary caregiver, even for years after he left her home.
In 2007, Deborah's son went to live in a Long Term Care Assisted Living Residence, specifically geared for the adult, living with severe, persistent, mental health conditions, where he is now thriving, under the care of -you guessed it -CNAs!!!!!!!
Knowing that she won't be around forever, Deborah spent the next 8 years, "letting go" -in increments -of over-seeing any / all aspects of his care, allowing their relationship to blossom in an entirely new way.
Now after years of advocating for those suffering mental illness, working to establish regional and local chapters of NAMI and support groups, Deborah had the time to do what she had wanted to do as a 24 year old-become a CNA.
Deborah completed her classes in December of 2016, passed her state exam in February, 2017. 
Then the REAL fight began….
 The State withheld her licensure because on her online application, Deborah had indicated that she lived with a mental health condition -specifically depression. She then got a letter telling her that she was now required to PROVE that she would be a "safe CNA"!!!!
She was required to submit:
a. Documentation of her entire medical / mental health history, including diagnosis, treatment, medication and dosage, complete with dates.
b. A letter from her describing her own personal self-care plan to manage her mental health condition, explaining how she would ensure being a "safe CNA".
c. Paperwork provided by the State and filled out by her Health Care Provider, declaring her to be a "safe CNA" candidate.
Several weeks later, upon completion, and the State's receipt of these documents, her licensure was approved in June 2017.
Deborah was then hired to work in a skilled nursing facility and currently works in assisted living.  
For advocating for mental health patients and support and for fighting for your nursing assistant certification Deborah Garrett, you are a true warrior!
Please everyone join me I celebrating the strength of Deborah Garrett, CNA Hero!


NAHCA CNA Membership $30/year
https://www.nahcaCNA.org/join

ONE CLICK is all it takes to subscribe to CNA-TV
https://www.youtube.com/user/NAHCACARES?sub_confirmation=1

#nahcaCNA #cnamembership #cnasmatter #nahcacnatv #cna #assistedlivingcaregiver #nursetech #homehealthaide #cnaeducation

Visit our website: nahcaCNA.org  https://goo.gl/MMVnv1  
FB: @NAHCA  https://goo.gl/77VXL2
Instagram:  @cna.life https://goo.gl/oAiCDY
Twitter: @NAHCA https://goo.gl/kWDwXQ
Pinterest: https://goo.gl/ZiFeVh