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The power of a warm heart, gentle smile and helping hand
Becky Peattie is the reason you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Underneath a strong and confident exterior is a warm heart, gentle smile and helping hand.
“When I see someone struggle, I try to help out,” the 35-year-old woman says with a shrug. “When there is a crisis, it’s important that we come together.”
These words of wisdom are Becky’s moral compass, an invisible force directing her thoughts and deeds.
They may have even been the force behind her career choice, an area of her life where she is gaining recognition as an exceptional caregiver and reliable co-worker.
“I’m very happy with my job as a Personal Support Worker,” Becky says with a smile from Helen Henderson Care Centre, a retirement lodge and long-term care home where she has worked for more than 12 years. “I’m a lifer here.”
Grateful for her work in the home, staff and management selected Becky as the Employee of the Month for August.
“Becky is a very caring and hardworking person,” says Angela Gibson, Assistant Administrator. “She is extremely positive and brings joy to all those around her.”
Becky blushes when she hears about the award.
“I love it here,” she says about the home that recently upgraded her employment status to full-time. “I like to make people laugh when I do my job.”
A resident of Napanee and owner of a dog named Buddy, Becky uses humour to deal with stressful situations. She knows people appreciate her lighthearted approach while she helps them with their daily activities.
But her desire to help doesn’t stop at her job description or the end of her workday.
She will help anyone at any time.
In fact, Becky was at work recently when a nearby apartment building caught fire.
Without being told, she acted quickly to supply warm blankets to the apartment tenants who were shivering on the lawn. Another staff member gave the residents snacks and drinks.
Becky talks about this act of kindness as though it’s an everyday occurrence.
In her humble and unassuming way, she admits she’s just grateful for the opportunity to help.
Born and raised on a farm, the young woman is strong from years of handling hay bales and tending horses. She gained more strength when she worked for three years at the local Goodyear plant hauling and stacking heavy tires. A workplace injury prompted her to retrain and enter the health care field.
“I’m known for my baseball around this area,” Becky says proudly about her favourite pastime that requires speed and strength.
An experienced shortstop, Becky is looking forward to playing in the Yvonne McGinn Memorial Baseball Game on Aug. 12. The game is a tribute to the former manager of the Helen Henderson Retirement Lodge by Gibson Family Health Care.
Becky was one of the first staff members to register for the game to be held in memory of Yvonne McGinn.
“I think I’m a good team player,” Becky replies when asked why she was nominated for the award. “I’m extremely proud of my job and where I work. I’m just happy to help-out.”