Transforming Lives Through Care: Kate and John 

The joy of bringing a newborn home for the first time is something every mother wants to experience. But when Becky had her son, John, that wasn’t possible. He was born with spina bifida, and for the first six months of his life, he had to stay in the hospital. The prognosis wasn’t good, and doctors didn’t expect him to live very long. However, John has defied the odds and is living a full life with his mother and BrightStar Care nurse Kate. 

Enter Kate—A Registered Nurse in Gurnee, IL 

Kate Baehman is a registered nurse here in Gurnee, IL, and with her help, John is able to live at home with his mother. Over the years, she’s dedicated herself to building a trusting relationship with John, sticking with him through thick and thin. Shortly after beginning her work with John, Kate took the initiative to enroll in a course that would teach her more about the ventilator he uses 16 hours a day. Since then, she has continued to take it upon herself to investigate problems and work out solutions as needed. Kate is committed to doing more than just a basic caregiving job—she’s setting a new standard for in-home care.(Opens in a new window) 

Spreading Your Winds With BrightStar Care 

For John, experiencing family events like reunions and weddings is difficult. He’s quadriplegic and has limited use of his arms and hands, so he requires maximal assistance for all his daily activities. He has a trach and a g-tube for feeding and uses orthotics to support his trunk, ankles, feet, wrists, and hands. All of this makes traveling feel nearly impossible. 

But when John’s sister held her wedding in Maine, Kate was determined to help John attend. With her help, John was able to be the ring bearer on his sister’s big day. 

More Than Just a Patient

Kate gets teary-eyed when she talks about John getting to attend his sister’s wedding despite the difficulties. To her, John isn’t just another patient—he’s a friend. Beyond everyday caregiver responsibilities, Kate takes the time to work on hobbies and play games with John. They do wooden puzzles, paint birdhouses, and so much more. 

At the end of the day, Kate believes in providing whole-person care to improve each client’s quality of life. She knows each person is more than their illness or disability and deserves the best experience possible. 

How Do I Become a Caregiver? 

Nurses just like Kate show clients the many benefits of caregiving every day. If you’re interested in transforming lives through home care, reach out to BrightStar Care of Gurnee, IL. We’re always welcoming new caregivers and nurses(Opens in a new window) who want to make a difference in their community. Whether you’re a prospective caregiver or nurse, or a family looking for the highest standard of care, don’t wait to contact us(Opens in a new window).