Letter to the Editor
Editor:
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and so I wanted to share with everyone a little bit about my daughter and the place where she lives. This is the third year my daughter Krystal has been living in a group home for individuals with developmental disabilities. Krystal has multi-handicaps. She calls this home “her new home.” She likes it very much and has adjusted wonderfully.
I’m writing to let everyone know exactly what a home like this is like. This home is located in a great neighborhood. It was designed to house five individuals with disabilities. The rooms are spacious and appear to be very comfortable for the individuals living there. The home is always neat and clean - inside and out.
The home has great staff around the clock. The staff always makes sure the individuals are dressed properly and have good meals and get their medications on time. The staff makes sure the individuals do their programs, like exercising. The individuals living in the home also have to help with the laundry and kitchen duties to encourage independent living skills. The individuals spend time out in the community shopping, going to church if they choose to, and sometimes eating out. Some of the individuals attend camp in the summer as well.
When I go to see Krystal (which I do as often as possible), I feel very comfortable in the home. I can take her out with if we want to go somewhere, such as visiting relatives, which Krystal enjoys. I believe this home is one of the best in Tuscarawas County. Krystal loves it there and doesn’t ever ask to go back to “her other house” (my home) other than to visit. This is her home now. This is how I know my decision to place her in a group home was right for her.
On the whole, if you have someone you love in your home, but the time has come to plan for their future, please consider helping that person to live independently, such a as in a group home, while you are still with them and can help them adjust. It was a hard decision for me because I love my daughter so much, but Krystal shows me all the time that it was the right decision. She has so much more independence, and that helps her to have a better life and be a stronger person.
Bertha Baxter
Midvale
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and so I wanted to share with everyone a little bit about my daughter and the place where she lives. This is the third year my daughter Krystal has been living in a group home for individuals with developmental disabilities. Krystal has multi-handicaps. She calls this home “her new home.” She likes it very much and has adjusted wonderfully.
I’m writing to let everyone know exactly what a home like this is like. This home is located in a great neighborhood. It was designed to house five individuals with disabilities. The rooms are spacious and appear to be very comfortable for the individuals living there. The home is always neat and clean - inside and out.
The home has great staff around the clock. The staff always makes sure the individuals are dressed properly and have good meals and get their medications on time. The staff makes sure the individuals do their programs, like exercising. The individuals living in the home also have to help with the laundry and kitchen duties to encourage independent living skills. The individuals spend time out in the community shopping, going to church if they choose to, and sometimes eating out. Some of the individuals attend camp in the summer as well.
When I go to see Krystal (which I do as often as possible), I feel very comfortable in the home. I can take her out with if we want to go somewhere, such as visiting relatives, which Krystal enjoys. I believe this home is one of the best in Tuscarawas County. Krystal loves it there and doesn’t ever ask to go back to “her other house” (my home) other than to visit. This is her home now. This is how I know my decision to place her in a group home was right for her.
On the whole, if you have someone you love in your home, but the time has come to plan for their future, please consider helping that person to live independently, such a as in a group home, while you are still with them and can help them adjust. It was a hard decision for me because I love my daughter so much, but Krystal shows me all the time that it was the right decision. She has so much more independence, and that helps her to have a better life and be a stronger person.
Bertha Baxter
Midvale
Published: March 29, 2011
