Submitted by Tara Montague, Manager, Client and Family Advocacy, NJ

As part of BAYADA Home Health Care’s Advocacy Week, 23-year-old Dover, NJ (DOV) assistive care state programs client Adelina “Addy” Rivera wanted to do her part to fight for a pay increase for her Certified Home Health Aide Gloria Atehortua. Last Friday morning, along with DOV Director Gretchen Munnelly, Client Services Manager Yurani Zapata, and me, Addy visited with Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblyman Parker Space at their offices in Sparta. Her aide’s care is so important to Addy and many others that she wanted to tell her legislators personally how essential Gloria is in her life. She prepared a statement which she shared with the legislators:

“If I didn’t have help, I don’t want to think about what could possibly go wrong,” said Addy. “If I didn’t have my aide’s assistance, I would not be able to function.”

Senator Oroho was so moved by her message, he asked her to consider coming to Trenton to speak to his colleagues at the statehouse. Addy indicated that she would like to do whatever she can to help with the cause. In addition, Senator Oroho gave Addy a special pin with a flag and a cross. This had extra meaning for Addy who collects flags in honor of her father, who is a veteran.