Moms on the Frontline: Meet Kat, Respiratory Therapist & Mom of 2

During this time of global pandemic, we all have our roll to play. Some of us are homeschooling, working from home, providing food and groceries to the community, delivering mail and packages, first responders, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and so much more. We are so thankful to all of you for doing your part!

We want to particularly highlight some moms working on the frontline. So we’ve created a “Moms on the Frontline” Series. This series will feature the great work these women are doing while encouraging families to do their part by following the suggested guidelines to help stop the spread.

From the very bottom of our hearts, we at ABQ Mom are so thankful for the work you are doing for our community and our world!

We admire you, support you, and are thankful for you.

Today meet frontline mom Kat Perea, respiratory therapist, wife, and mom of two.

Tell us about your job and the work you do each day.

I help patients manage and treat their cardiopulmonary diseases. This includes education, disease management, and medications administration.

How has COVID-19 affected your work?

I chose to temporarily move across the country to help the more affected areas. Now my only focus has been on ventilator management. The facility that I work at has been hit hard and are dealing with more patients than ever before.

How has the global pandemic affected your family?

With accepting this temporary position, I’ve had to leave my family in Albuquerque. We FaceTime everyday and text. It’s comforting to know that I can’t bring this awful virus home to them. I really miss snuggling up to them though.

What it is like serving everyday as a mom on the frontline?

When I enter the hospital, I really try to push everything but my patients out of my mind. They are the ones that need my attention and care in that moment. I know my kids are safe and well taken care of, so I don’t need to worry about them.

What acts of kindness or encouragement have you seen during this time?

It’s been so amazing to see people come together for their communities. People making masks, handing out food, going grocery shopping for their elderly neighbors. I hope we don’t forget to continue taking care of each other.

What message or encouragement do you have for fellow ABQ moms during this time?

Everyone has their place in this pandemic. You may be a healthcare worker or a stay-at-home mom. You might be a grocery worker or a teacher. This is a difficult time for everyone and we just need to do our best to come out on the other side. If you need help, please reach out. Overall moms need to not be so hard on ourselves. We are all doing the best we can.

Tell us about some simple pleasures you enjoy. What’s encouraging you on hard days?

Currently my go to pleasures are trying all of the food in my new home. I’ve found mom and pop restaurants to get to-go from, and I have an amazing bakery just minutes from my hotel. What keeps me going on the hard days is knowing that I am needed. This is a temporary time in my life, but it will be a permanent heartache for many. I want to be there to provide whatever help and comfort I can.

Thank you, Kat (and everyone else on the frontline), for your service and your sacrifice.

You can read other posts in the series here. 

If you know a mom on the frontline you’d like to nominate for this series, send us an email at [email protected]. {Please note, we may not be able to feature everyone who is nominated due to an influx of nominations.}