Meet Cassandra S. Johnson | Published Author of the book “Through Those Eyes”, LVN, Owner, Administrator of Reliable Alternative Home Care, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassandra S. Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassandra S., what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success/success of my brand is God’s WILL, GRACE, and MERCY for me. I was sexually abused by who and what I call “a silent predator” my father from age 4-16. Everything I could and should have learned throughout a normal childhood was taken away from me. The remnants of the sexual abuse led to a drug overdose, admit into a mental health facility, being bullied at school and on the school bus, grades so bad no one could foresee me graduating high school nevertheless a future nursing or any career for that matter. BUT GOD!!!!
December 2003, I completed the LVN program at Sowela Technical Community College, Lake Charles, Louisiana, obtained my LVN license on 12/31/2003 and formally graduated January 16, 2004. Grateful! Grateful! Grateful!

Fall 2009 my mother was diagnosed with Dementia which progressed forcing me to take time from nursing Fall 2013 to care for her. The very same mother who I secretly despised for not protecting me from the sexual abuse. Regardless, caring for and protecting her was the least I could do as her daughter and a nurse. It was my mother’s dream of becoming a nurse that I was blessed to fulfill. Sharing that achievement with her and just knowing how proud she was encouraged me to achieve more. I was working towards the LVN to BSN degree prior to and throughout caring for her. My mother’s death, the day I watched her take her last breath August 10, 2014, shook me to my core. It was as if I couldn’t breathe, nor did I even want to. My mother, my nursing cheerleader was no longer physically here to cheer me on. How could I pick up another nursing book? Why even finish the LVN to BSN program?

January 2015, I gathered myself returning to work and planning a return to the LVN to BSN program which was short-lived due to a rear-end motor vehicle accident May 05, 2015. Neck and back injuries sustained from the accident later led to severe neck and back pain and surgeries. That nursing career and furthering of education that I put on hold due to the death of my mother, has now come to an end, PERMANENTLY!!!!

The traumatic sexual abuse, death of my mother, and loss of my nursing career were 3 pivotal and horrendous moments of my life where I was suicidal. It was nothing but GOD’S GRACE and MERCY that brought me through. The devil meant for evil to kill, steal, and destroy me. BUT GOD who had already sent the Holy Spirit to comfort me in those great times of fragility PICKED UP, HELD and ROCKED me in the CRADLE of HIS ARMS!!! My HEAVENLY FATHER in the MIGHTY name of his son JESUS CHRIST repaired my brokenness, giving me impeccable FAITH and STRENGTH!!! 2012 I became brave enough to publish my autobiography “Through Those Eyes” detailing the childhood sexual abuse and perseverance. I am a living testimony that one’s past does not dictate their future. “Through Those Eyes”, will educate parents and whomever being sexually abused regarding the warning signs and avenues for help. All of that is the reason I have been blessed with a seat at the head of the Reliable Alternative Home Care, Inc. table. I want nothing better than to represent my mother’s dreams, love and support my community throughout nursing while providing the best home healthcare available.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
With 17 years of experience in both direct patient care and administrative responsibilities, the owner and administrator, Cassandra Johnson, LVN, is confident in her unique experience and ability to enable her to successfully lead Reliable Alternative Home Care, Inc. towards a successful future. Her passion for both the education and development of nurses and the delivery of quality care to clients is the perfect combination to lead a successful business in this industry.

Although Cassandra’s disability may have physically ended her nursing career, it did not alter her love of the nursing profession itself. Being on the receiving end of neck surgery, back surgery, the daily, unrelieved, excruciating pain, physical and psychological therapies have ALL personally educated and strengthened Cassandra more than she would ever imagine. She can now empathize greatly, more 1 on 1 with her patients/caregivers and share the many physical and mental challenges faced throughout rehabilitation while encouraging them to never give up. That blessing in disguise is what sets Reliable Alternative Home Care, Inc. apart from our competitors.

Maintaining the philosophy that “prevention is the best medicine” Reliable Alternative Home Care’s multidisciplinary team of medical professionals will collaboratively work towards keeping clients out of the hospital. Such work will be centered on our goal of preventing the re-admission of post hospital clients due to unwanted post hospital complications.

We as a community based in-home healthcare service deliver a multidisciplinary team of professional licensed discipline and skilled services upon a physician ordered plan of care. Each client must and will have an individualized plan of care specific to their individual medical need.

Here at Reliable Alternative Home Care Inc., coordination of care is cutting edge. Physicians are notified immediately upon ALL abnormalities throughout head-to-toe assessments and vital signs (v/s) outside of physician established parameters.

It is imperative that the Reliable Alternative Home Care, Inc. team educate each patient and caregiver regarding infection control (signs and symptoms), home, ambulation, and transfer safety, individualized emergency planning, patient specific disease process, diet and medication management and compliance.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Due to my disability, the trips, going out to eat or drink, hanging out, etc. does not occur. I am more of a stay-at-home person.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all, my late mother who was tough as nails forcing me to work hard and never give up. Also teaching me to love and have faith in God. My 3 children Kolicia, DeAntonio, and Landrae for ALL the sacrifices we made for me to succeed.

My husband Leroy Johnson for believing in me even when life events kept me from believing in myself. Thanks so much for all of your love and financial support making my business dreams come true.

My Uncle Howard and late Aunt Linda Sumbler who are 2 retired educators that played critical roles in my upbringing and throughout adulthood. Lots of love and encouragement

Ann Kellogg, my mother in nursing and great friend for showing up at my home every morning encouraging and giving me a ride to LVN class.

My former boss Val who taught me so much about home health care nursing and administrative duties to successfully reach the goals I have today.

My cousin Lanisha of Runnin’ Buzz Bartending for her continued encouragement and mentoring

Website: www.rahcinc.org

Facebook: @rahcinc

Image Credits
Cassandra S. Johnson, Author, LVN Gregory Denagall, DesignedAdvantage.com Foundation First www.foundationfirst.co