DSHS Secretary Susan Dreyfus Walks a Day in “Our” Shoes
Friday, January 29
Glenda Faatoafe has cared for Zebty Bob Jally in Lacey, Washington, since February of 2006. She started working with him just a few months after a horrific car accident left him a quadriplegic. Glenda is a home care aide with Korean Women’s Association and member of SEIU Healthcare 775NW.
She has been officially delegated to give him his medication, do catheter flushes, stomach feedings, apply topical and eye medication, and help him exercise his legs, arms and work on range of motion. When she’s not there, there are three other caregivers that also contribute to his care. When they’re not there – mostly at night - his wife takes care of him.
Last Saturday, from 6am to 9am, Zebty had a special caregiver: Susan Dreyfus, the Secretary of Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services. She was there as part of SEIU’s “Walk a Day in My Shoes” project that is designed to give leaders at the local, state, and federal level the opportunity to see firsthand what it is like to be a low-wage worker.
Dreyfus had helped care for her father-in-law when he was sick, so she had some familiarity with what it takes to be a caregiver.
“As I watched you being so careful in terms of when things needed to be sterile and the care with which you touched Zeb, it was beautiful to watch,” said Dreyfus. “What people want more than anything else is to have their family around them.”
That morning, Glenda went through her normal routine of getting Zebty ready for the day. During the morning, Secretary Dreyfus helped measure medications, flush the feeding tube, change linens, complete range of motion activities, and assist with dressing and transferring Zebty to a wheelchair.
Glenda and Secretary Dreyfus talked a lot about the impact of last year’s budget cuts and the potential impacts of deeper cuts to hours of in home care.
Dreyfus said, “We have to make our decisions through the eyes of those we serve. We can’t assure the quality of life we want for every citizen in the state of Washington without people like Glenda. SEIU is advocating for a quality system of care, not just for who they represent. That’s what we need more than ever.”
Glenda was appreciative that Secretary Dreyfus had agreed to spend the morning with her, telling her afterwards, “It’s amazing to me that you got up at the crack of dawn to show up.” Glenda added, “I really appreciate that you got to see it’s not just one person and one client.”
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About the Walk a Day in My Shoes Program
The Walk a Day in My Shoes program is a national SEIU project to invite candidates for elected office and other leaders to spend a day with frontline SEIU members if politicians to experience firsthand what it’s like to work and raise a family today. Since 2007, 14 State Legislators and Governor Christine Gregoire have “walked a day” in the shoes of a long-term care worker in Washington state.
Click here for more information on Gov. Gregoire's "Walk a Day"
About Glenda Faatoafe
Glenda Faatoafe has been a home care aide for 12 years. She works for Korean Women’s Association and is on the Executive Board of SEIU Healthcare 775NW. Glenda Faatoafe testified before Congress in 2007 about the need to expand choices for home and community based services and cover home care workers with minimum wage and overtime laws through the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Her testimony is available online.
About Secretary Dreyfus
Susan N. Dreyfus is DSHS Secretary, appointed by the Governor and a member of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet. Susan is married with three adult children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and attended the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.