Meet Juanita, Caregiver and Med Tech
Congratulations to our Caregiver and Med Tech, Juanita. She’s Employee of the Month for November at our Rancho Belago location. Juanita Gaston is a joy to anyone she encounters. This wonderful caregiver and med tech is quick to give an embrace and spread a smile across your face.
Growing up in America
Juanita was born in the Philippines to a large family with five sisters and five brothers. Due to her family’s large size, she went to live with her auntie who was in the Army. She would fly back and forth between the Philippines and Georgia.
Letters, Phone Calls & Marriage
Juanita met her husband, Michael through her auntie. The two were in the army together. Michael would send Juanita letters and call her, vowing that one day she’d be his fiancé and later his wife. He was an E-5, Sergeant in the Army serving in Vietnam. He took great care of providing for her. She couldn’t believe it at first, but he sent her an engagement ring. They later went to the Philippines and she presented him to the family before their wedding.
In addition to 34 years of marriage, Juanita and Michael have three sons, Alan, Jesse and Ryan. All three serve in the Army, two are in South Korea and the other is in Denver, Colorado. While the kids were growing up they would take them to Disneyland, Sea World and camping trips as a family. She enjoyed raising her children, and although at times it was hard, they turned out great.
Becoming a Caregiver
In the Philippines she was a certified midwife. However, when she came to the United States her certification did not transfer. She dreamed of being a licensed vocational nurse. To achieve this she took courses at Riverside City College. But she faced difficulty in finishing her schooling and quit. She didn’t want to waste any more money and she had responsibilities as a wife and mother.
Juanita carries all the knowledge she learned in school in her role as a caregiver. It was while visiting a senior community, and seeing all the seniors she decided she wanted to work there. The owner wanted her to start before she even applied, but wanted her full time. She was unsure about talking to her husband about it, but he was supportive and they worked through it.
