I recently visited PACT in Austin, Texas, and sat down for a video interview with Elizabeth Castillo. PACT was created by ADAPT, the national organization that advocates for the right of people living with disabilities to live independently in the community. Our video interview was recorded in Spanish, so I’ve provided a summary below. It was such a pleasure hearing about what inspires Elizabeth to do the work she loves.
Ron & Cathy Cranston, Bob Kafka, ADAPT Texas
“I am Elizabeth Castillo, I live in El Paso and I work with an agency providing services to elders and persons living with disabilities. I provide care and supports to four people. I am a member of PACT because I am interested in advocating for personal care attendants in Texas because we need recognition as professionals. As valued employees, we need vacation, time off and overtime. We don’t have any of these things and we advocate for change.”
“I am a personal care attendant because I enjoy helping others. For me it is the best that I can give to the community and the best reward I can receive. Of course, as a human being, I have needs and would like to be able to pay for the basics. I would like tell policy makers that we are human beings, that we have great love and passion to care for people living with disabilities. We do it at times without thinking of ourselves. Truly, we must work first with our hearts before we think about our needs. We must work with our hearts or we can’t do this work.”
“I work in the community for people living in their homes and I prefer it because I want to give quality care and supports and dedicate the time necessary for the people I work with. Community services require us to have a relationship and support people to lead an independent life in the community.”
