Care Pro Hadijah Inspired Stroke Victim
To Take Steps Toward Regaining Mobility
Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Hadijah Kakoma set a miracle in motion and painstakingly followed it to an amazing outcome, one that might not have yet come to a conclusion. Her client, disabled by a severe stroke that initially left him immobile and depressed, ultimately took steps with the help of a walker and gait belt – and Hadijah’s refusal to give up.
Hadijah explained how the uplifting story evolved:
“Mr. X. had been a strong, independent man all of his life. But after a stroke caused paralysis on his right side, he was unable to walk. Physical therapy was grueling, and he often felt defeated. He lost his spark and refused most rehabilitation efforts. But I didn’t give up on him. I talked him into doing the exercises on a physiotherapist’s list. At first, my client was hesitant to attempt the exercises. I started slowly by letting him choose which exercise he was comfortable doing. As time went on, he became comfortable with the rest of the exercises.”
Hadijah added: “Every day, I encouraged him to push a little harder, reminding him of the progress he had already made. I told him, ‘You’re stronger than you think. One step at a time, and you’ll get there.’ One morning, as I was helping him with his daily exercises, Mr. X. asked, ‘Do you think I could try walking again?’ It was the first time in months he had shown interest in trying to regain his mobility. I grabbed a walker and put on his gait belt. He slowly began to stand and eventually took his first few steps. The smile that spread across his face that day was a moment I will never forget. The joy of seeing Mr. X. regain his sense of independence and hope made all of the challenges of caregiving worth it.”
Hearing the news, Imelda Hawkins also beamed with a smile throughout that day. Imelda is the Home Instead franchise’s human resources director, assistant administrator, and recruitment and engagement coordinator. “Hadijah joined our team in May 2024, and her name has come up every month as a Care Pro of the Month nominee. Because of tenure considerations for the award, we had to wait on selecting Hadijah. Then, we just could no longer hold off on honoring her,” said Imelda, who announced Hadijah’s honor for September.
Imelda added: “Hadijah and her husband moved from Massachusetts to the Midland-Odessa area, where he works in the oilfields. A graduate of Kampala International University in her homeland of Uganda, Hadijah’s passion for caregiving and dedication to her clients have truly set her apart. She has far exceeded our expectations. Hadijah has become a trusted and beloved member of our caregiving team. Humble and compassionate, and with a refreshing presence, she brings a sense of warmth and joy to everyone she meets. We are incredibly fortunate to have her with us.”
Hadijah found Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa on zip.recruiter.com. “Given my background in hospital environments, I thought it would be a great fit, so I went for it,” she said. “I have experience in caring for patients. I studied medicine at Kampala International University and have always had a passion for caring for people.”
Family caregiving also was a factor in Hadijah’s career journey. Her experiences as a family caregiver stem from Hadijah’s care for her elderly grandmother. “I experienced firsthand what a rewarding experience it was. I saw my grandmother was happy and appreciative of how I was always by her side,” Hadijah said. “At the end of the day, she would hold both my hands, look straight in my eyes and say, ‘Thank you.’ Her ‘thank you’ was a simple gesture, but it carried the weight of a thousand words,” Hadijah said.
Hadijah explained what she likes most about being a Care Pro: “It is my ability to impact my clients’ lives in a positive way. I make it my mission to bring a little more light in their world. That can be accomplished by sitting with them during a particularly difficult moment, sharing a laugh, listening to their stories or playing their favorite game they haven’t played in a while. This has made me realize that caregiving is so much more than just providing assistance. It’s about forming connections and making someone feel cared for in a holistic way,” said Hadijah, who is a part of an award-winning Home Instead team.
Lorena and William Shensky have been the Home Instead franchise’s co-owners since March 1, 2020. Imelda joined Home Instead as a Care Pro in 2014 before she became a staff member in 2016. Lorena, William, Imelda and Hadijah are proud members of a franchise network directed by Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
