For about a month and a half now, Desaray McMullin-Currie of Bedford Heights has had the keys to a snazzy, blue 2020 Polaris Slingshot Roadster, part of her recognition as an unsung “superhero” for her work as a registered nurse at Solon Pointe Skilled Nursing Home and Rehabilitation. Her husband, John Currie, nominated her for the honor after seeing the “Because Every Superhero Deserves a Superhero Ride” contest on the Slingshot website.
McMullin-Currie gets to keep the Roadster on a free three-month lease, and she said she has been able to take it out on a few spins when she has been off work. Still, as the newly-appointed director of nursing at the home, she continues to be very busy, especially because of the challenges Covid-19 has been presenting.
“It’s kind of shocking,” she said. “You see people you have been around for years. Some die and some don’t improve.”
McMullin-Currie said back during the beginning of the pandemic in April, the nursing staff in Solon were sent to a hotel rather than going home with the concern they could spread the virus to their families. She said that since then the number of cases that she has seen at her facility have gone down, but the concerns are still there.
She added that the concerns she has are not just about the residents, but she is also worried about her staff. After completing her administrative work shift, she has been known to work another shift for a nurse who is sick, or for a caretaker who doesn’t feel safe about coming in.
It was this kind of dedication that her husband of seven years wanted to recognize when he nominated her for the award. It was the kind of care that he saw firsthand when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and she helped him with his recovery from that. She also helped guide him through partial paralysis during the time they have been married.
McMullin-Currie stated that her husband “loves Slingshot,” and she said they are planning on purchasing the vehicle when the lease is up. She said she is grateful that her husband sees her hard work and appreciates it.
“It’s stressful for him, me being so far away for work,” she said. “I’m just thankful and glad he understands.”
McMullin-Currie began her nursing work while in the Army, and currently has the designation of registered nurse (RN). She operates a nursing training program called Ambitious Academy out of Bedford Heights.
McMullin-Currie has two daughters, Kaela and Karrenia, who both graduated from Bedford High School.
