Thoughts From Doug

While looking through some old training manuals recently, I ran across this list. I thought it worth sharing, as a reminder to us all of the issues some of our clientele deal with daily…

"What If?"
- What if you never got to make a mistake?
-What if your money was always kept in an envelope and you had to
ask for it every time you wanted some?
- What if you were never given a chance to do well at something
because you were always working on what you couldn’t do?
-What if you were frequently treated like a child, allowed little choice
or decision making?
-What if you only chance to be with people without disabilities was when
you were shopping?
-What if the job you did was not useful or you hated it?
-What if you were not allowed to kiss your boy/girlfriend because your
Mom said you couldn’t?
-What if you never got to make a decision, not even about where you
sit or what you wear or when you shower?
-What if the only risky thing you could do was to act out?
-What if you couldn’t go outside because others needed to be watched
closely?
-What if the meeting that planned the entire year for you was done in a
foreign language (IPP, MGPP, HSS, PN, DI, S, I, G, P, H, Advanced
Directives)?
-What if you worked and go paid $0.48 per hour?
-What if you watched "Friends" every week on TV but had none of
your own?
-What if you had no privacy, if staff forgot to shut the door when they
dressed you?
-What if looked out the window every weekend and no on came to
visit you?
-What if you spent three hours every day just waiting?
-What if the phone was never for you?
-What if you couldn’t communicate what you needed?
-What if you wanted to change you hair style and get a perm and
couldn’t because you wouldn’t take care of it? What if you wanted to
get your ears pierced but couldn’t because everyone assumed you
couldn’t keep you ears clean?
-What if you never held a baby?
-What if community folks always talked to the staff that was with you
and not you?
-What if you weren’t’ a candidate for dentures simply because you
were mentally retarded?
-What if you had no choice about where you work?
-What if you only had $30 a month to spend for all your needs?
-What if you had a splitting headache and couldn’t stay home from
work?
-What if a vacation simply meant staying home from work instead
of going somewhere?
-What if you grew old and never knew adulthood?
-What if YOU never go a chance?

From ARC of Iroquois County, Waseka, IL

School is now in full swing and everyone at Reynolds Group Home is busy with their respective activities and responsibilities. Our Community Service component is in full swing with the guys doing clean-up at Riverside Park as well as the MYS section of roadway maintenance through the Adopt-A-Highway program. Also, the guys still find time for there almost weekly assist to the Kennedy Park Rehabilitation Center, usually helping with bingo and visiting with the elderly residents. With all that, Carol has mustered her ‘paint crew’ again to finish painting on the side porch.

Our boy Kris continues his responsibilities as the manager of the D.C.Everest sophomore football team. In fact, Kris was accepted as a kicker on the team as well. However, for now he had to decline because of treatment he’s receiving to aid the effects of his CP. Hopefully he’ll be ready to accept that responsibility in the future. We’re sure proud of him! To show the extent of his commitment to the program and sport, he has started to referee flag football on Saturdays. How’s that for devotion to one’s sport!

The month has been equally productive for several other guys as well. Derick is hoping to start his transitional period, working his way home by the end of the year…Good Luck Derick.

And Cha has taken a second job. He will be working for Eastbay during their upcoming seasonal rush period. He is also looking toward discharge by September 27^th. Cha also celebrated his 17^th birthday on September 16^th. Happy Birthday Cha!

In addition to all that, staff continues to look for ways for the guys to experience new and fun things. Right now we’re in the early stages of planning a fishing trip to Lake Michigan for the salmon run. We’ll have further updates on that next month.


We also had a new resident join us at RGH this month. Karl D came into placement earlier in the month and we all welcome him and look forward to working with him and his family. Welcome Karl!

September brought a couple of changes to our adult homes as well. Kevin VM. joined the ranks of the residents at Hamilton House late this month, but not before his room was renovated with paint, wallpaper and furniture. Kevin had a hand in the preparations. He’s proved more than once to be extremely helpful to have around the house, always willing to pitch in and help out. Many thanks Kevin! And welcome home…

We’re also fortunate to have three new staff join us this month also. As of September 27, Marypat Stewart and Dan Weibel have joined the staff at Grand Place, and Heather Carpenter joined the Hamilton House staff on September 29. Welcome to the team!

Hamilton House reports many fun and interesting activities again this month. Through the month the guys participated in bowling at Mountain Lanes, visited the Art In The Park annual art fair in Wausau, and visited the UWSP campus in Stevens Point to hang out for a while in the student union and get a feel for the campus life. They also had time to plan a trip to Oak Island, where they hooked up with the other houses for a little fishing and a picnic.

Mark was busy with his REACT responsibilities this month again as well, this time with volunteer security work. He went on an overnight assignment with REACT and participated in the September 18^th United Way parade. We’d forgotten how dashing Mark looks in his uniform!


Our young men at Grand Place had an extra busy month as well. They report regular trips to the Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and the Flea

and Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. They also go to the public library regularly and attended the year’s final race at State Park Speedway. In preparation for an upcoming Christmas project, they went on a hike at Blue Gill Bay Park to collect pine cones for ornaments they’ll be making. We’re all looking forward to the outcome of that project!

Other activities the guys at Grand Place enjoy are the regular reading of the newspaper which involves reading out loud and discussing the news a couple of days per week. Also, the men are beginning to aid in preparing some of the meals, something they seem to enjoy.

Several staff and residents of our adult homes also had a fun day trip to the Green Bay area this month, visiting Lambeau Field, Bay Beach and the Zoo. This truly was a fun day for everyone that participated. Not only did they all enjoy the sounds and sights of Bay Beach and Lambeau Field, they also enjoyed picnicking and a side trip to McD’s.




Check out our web site for more pictures of this fun day, and others!
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