Meet some of our Families

 

It’s a painful decision to have a family member live elsewhere. And we found ourselves in the added dilemma that we didn’t like any of the places we had explored.

 

Then we found Richmond.

 

It was still a big transition for us all. We were used to Shankar being at home with us. But the people at Richmond were so warm, so positive in their approach to Shankar and so professional. They really cared about all the residents there and that was very comforting to us, especially for my mom.

 

We visit several times a week, and it’s wonderful to see him. It’s clear he feels “at home” at Richmond with the extraordinary people who enrich his life. They’ve made him a part of their family and made themselves a welcomed part of ours!

 

Seventeen years later, we still believe our family could not have survived without Richmond’s dedicated, round-the-clock support.

 

“It was the hardest decision we ever made – and the smartest… [Our son is now] surrounded by friends, cared for by people as if he was one of their children, so actively engaged that the smile on his face is a permanent feature of his personality…”

 

First, there is the joy of knowing that my daughter is being well-cared for by dedicated people who treat her as if she were part of their family. Second, this awareness of her excellent round-the-clock care, frees my family – and other Richmond families – to have the lives they ought to have. There is no need to agonize over or second-guess decisions. Instead there is the recognition that it is permissible to enjoy aspects of everyday life.

 

Admittedly, these benefits didn’t appear overnight because Lauren’s move into a Richmond group home in 1992 when she was 6-years-old was one of the worst days of my life. But that was then. Over time I have had the pleasure of seeing Lauren’s life enhanced in so many ways by the exceptional people who work at Richmond and positively influence everything in her world. There’s her social life; she goes to dances, concerts, plays, movies, religious services and so on. There’s her time away from Richmond; for example, a recent vacation at a water theme park in the Poconos. And there’s the care from people who, despite Lauren being non-verbal, knew her well enough to save her life two years ago by recognizing in a split-second look that she was in respiratory distress.

 

This adds up to a better life for Lauren than I could ever have imagined. And it’s one in which I can play an active part, too, because of the many opportunities for enriching activities with Lauren, as well as dialogues with Richmond caregivers and administrators. Richmond Community Services is not just the agency overseeing my daughter’s care; it has also become our extended family.

 

Stu and I reluctantly realized we couldn’t provide the 24/7 attention she needs, so we feel we are getting the best of two worlds. We have the satisfaction of knowing we made the right choice in evaluating care options and agreeing on which one would be best for our daughter. And we have ongoing opportunities to partner with extremely dedicated caregivers in attending to her needs PLUS doing countless other things to enrich her life. She truly has an extended family.

 

Our multi-decade relationship with Richmond has provided other sources of immense satisfaction, as well. I, as a Richmond Community Services board member – and Stu, who has co-chaired the agency’s annual golf event and its ad journal – have had the privilege of getting to know and work with scores of caring, generous men and women committed to quality lives for individuals with severe developmental disabilities.

 

We have derived immense satisfaction from seeing that scores of individuals have benefited from dollars raised through our joint efforts; dollars that have been used to support innovative programs that couldn’t have been funded any other way and the purchase of state-of-the-art assistive technology.

 

There’s so much more we could do, if only we had all the funding we need. But Stu and I are in a constant state of thankfulness for what’s been accomplished and for the many allies who continue to join us in our endeavors. Thank you one and all.

 

“It’s a painful decision to have a family member live elsewhere. And we found ourselves in the added dilemma that we didn’t like any of the places we had explored. Then we found Richmond…”

 

It was roughly 35 years ago when my late husband and I decided to place our toddler son in the care of Richmond Community Services. In the more than three decades since we agonized over our choices, we’ve seen Glenn receive round-the-clock loving support, plus engage in activities we never thought he could experience. And in each of those decades, we’ve enjoyed the peace of mind that comes from knowing we made the best decision for our son. There has been no second-guessing; just gratitude that Richmond was one of our options.

 

Despite the seriousness of his disabilities, which made it impossible for us to care for him at home, Glenn has been doing things that were for many years considered beyond the capabilities of children and adults like him. He’s gone horseback riding, skiing, fishing and bicycle riding. He’s also been to area concerts, movie theatres, game rooms and parks. Each adventure has seen him surrounded by friends, cared for by people as if he was one of their children, so actively engaged that the smile on his face is a permanent feature of his personality. Equally impressive, his neurologist, who has known Glenn since he was 6 months old, recently told me Glenn exceeded the expectations she had for him.

 

Parents want their children to be happy. Glenn is happy. And conversations with other parents tell me Glenn’s not alone in being happy at Richmond.

 

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Richmond in helping it help other adults and children. I’m grateful for the opportunity to let others know about the positive differences Richmond makes in the lives of the people it serves.

 

“Richmond Community Services is not just the agency overseeing my daughter’s care, it has also become our extended family…”