At Laradon there are many unsung heroes who make sure the participants are treated with respect and empowered to reach their full potential. These heroes are the reason Laradon has been able to keep their doors open for almost 77 years. Among them, the Laradon nurses are everyday champions, offering dedicated and compassionate care.
On this International Nurses Day, we shine a spotlight on two exceptional individuals: Krista Richardson, Laradon’s Nursing Supervisor, and Emily Pennylegion, the Laradon School Nurse. Both of whom are the unwavering backbone of ensuring the well-being and safety of Laradon’s students and participants.
For both Krista and Emily, nursing is more than a profession; it’s a calling rooted in a deep love for helping others and a powerful desire to advocate for those in need. Their caring nature and sharp intellect are evident in their daily support, assistance, and celebration of Laradon’s individuals.
Krista started her nursing career in inpatient psych at another facility in Colorado. She described the experience as very intense and made her question going into nursing. However, when she came to Laradon ten years ago, her love for nursing came back to life.
“When I started at Laradon, it was like a breath of fresh air because I got to do a little bit of everything,” Krista explains. “I fell in love with Laradon because of the participants we serve. They literally make my heart happy, and I love getting to build long lasting relationships.”
Over the past decade at Laradon, Krista has embraced a diverse range of roles and responsibilities. Her day to day may consist of anything from clinical to direct patient care, case management, administrative leadership, coordinating care and collaboration with physicians, behavioral teams, and case managers. Krista’s favorite task is helping out with the weekly med clinic because it allows her to connect with the participants.
“I love knowing them on a personal level. For example, Bobby loves flashlights and key chains. He would come into the clinic with them in his pocket and try to get weighed. The flashlights and keychains would add like ten pounds to his weight. We would laugh about it, and it always makes my day,” Krista expressed with a big smile.
Emily, who joined the Laradon family about a year ago, was drawn to the organization by a profound desire to be part of something larger than herself.
“During my first tour here, I was blown away. I knew this could be a place where I could truly make a difference. Many of these families and children lack consistent access to healthcare facilities, so being here allows me to provide vital support and care,” Emily expressed.
Emily’s experience as a traveling nurse helped prepare her for her job at Laradon . Her daily tasks range from administering medications to Laradon School students, to handling essential administrative work. Every day presents a new adventure, and it’s a challenge Emily embraces with enthusiasm.
Before coming to Laradon, neither Krista nor Emily had experience working within the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. They have come to understand that the IDD community is not to be feared or viewed as incompetent but rather as a group of resilient individuals who have overcome immense challenges. They are, in their eyes, an inspiring group of people.
As International Nurses Day approaches on May 12th , both Krista and Emily want to emphasize the critical importance of mental health, particularly for those in the medical profession and the IDD community.
“Being a nurse is a demanding job especially with this group of people. I honestly take deep breaths, and I run, that’s my stress relief,” Krista shares. “I have to remind myself to take care me for an hour a day because I matter.”
“I love gardening. I love to get outside and feel like I am doing something productive. I also have two cats that I love. They provide a lot of mental stability to me,” Emily expressed.
We celebrate Krista and Emily, two of Laradon’s extraordinary nurses whose dedication, compassion, and expertise are the very heart of the care provided at Laradon. They are true heroes, making a profound difference in the Laradon community every single day.
By: Katey Lewicki, Communications Coordinator
