There are moments that remind us why the work our Caregivers do matters so deeply, and Ruth Ann McLaughlin’s story is one of them.
During a recent visit with her 107-year-old client, Miss Ressie, Ruth Ann noticed an unfamiliar noise and followed faint traces of smoke down the hallway. What she found was an active electrical fire spreading in Miss Ressie’s bedroom. Without hesitation, Ruth Ann acted swiftly, calmly, and with remarkable courage. Not only did Ruth Ann attempt to extinguish the fire on her own, but she also made sure Miss Ressie was completely unharmed from a devastating fire that destroyed her home of over 60 years.
A note from Ruth Ann:
“Miss Ressie and I were in the kitchen cooking potatoes and chicken. She was seated at the kitchen table. I was standing at her stove and had just finished using the electric mixer on the potatoes. I heard a pop noise coming from somewhere in the house. I put everything down and started walking towards the front of the house. There was light smoke in the hallway, and I continued to walk to her bedroom and discovered a fire against the front wall behind a spare bed where there is an electrical outlet. I called to Miss Ressie that there was a fire. There was a large gift bag at the foot of the bed that had already started burning. I took that outside to the walkway to burn out. I ran back to the kitchen to get the fire extinguisher. I started using it on the fire. The fire seemed to be burning from the electrical outlet.“
Ruth Ann immediately called 911 and safely led Miss Ressie outside far away from the house as smoke began to escape from the windows.
She didn’t just do her job that day. She was a protector. A hero.
Plans are underway to formally recognize Ruth Ann for her heroism. In the meantime, she has received a Kudos Card through Care Advantage Inc.’s I CARE Awards program, one small way we recognize the meaningful impact our Caregivers make. Her actions speak for themselves: this is what it means to truly show up for those in your care. We are so proud to have Ruth Ann on our team, and we are grateful for the Caregivers who bring this level of dedication, heart, and courage into the homes of the clients they serve.
