Today for church our ward, well, youth and who ever wanted to go went to "Randolph." Randolph is a State funded home for adults with special needs. The wards throughout AZ take turns going and having church with the special friends. Each person was in charge of a special friend. Some of these friends could walk but not talk. Some where in wheelchairs totally dependent on others. Then we had others who could walk and talk but have a mind of 6 years old or less.
Our family went and it was a great experience. My special friend was "Gloria." She couldn't talk but she was able to walk and boy did she love to walk. We walked all over the room we stayed in. She had beautiful brown eyes and loved to hum.
Cody and Preston's special friend was "Maggie." Boy was she fun for the boys. She started out in a wheelchair and then she transferred herself to the chair. The boys sat next too her. She loved making noise. Perfect person for my boys. She loved to snap her fingers, clap her hands and scream. If she would make a noise then the boys would copy her. The more they copied her the more she loved it. The thing I really loved about Maggie was she had my boys under control. Preston would get up and move chairs, she wouldn't let him. She would push him back into his seat. If Cody was too close she would move him to another chair. Maggie was in total control! I asked if she could come to church with us for now on.
Ashlee enjoyed her special friend. She was more talkative and active then others. Ashlee's friend loved being with the girls. She felt she was like one of the "in crowd."
Another friend would love to come up to you and poke you in your side and would say boo. If you would act all scared she would give you a big smile. She loved scaring people. I tend to do that to my kids too ;o). This same friend loved to spank Craig's butt and then would run laughing.
We took Jessie too. At first I thought we shouldn't take her because maybe it was not appropriate. Craig convinced me other wise and I am glad we did. Some of our special friends loved her and she them. One was very concerned about Jessie's well being and would let others know she may need some assistance. For example. We give Jessie a plastic bag to play with (best and cheapest toy we could buy for her) Jessie loves the feel of plastic. The special friend would take the bag away, but then Jessie would grab it right back. It was really cute. We also ran into one of Jessie's teachers she had throughout the years. Jessie hasn't seen this lady for about 3 years. When Jessie saw her she knew who she was right away and gave her a big hug.
The sad thing is the state wants to close this place down. I have a new mission to help those keep this place running. It's one of the best and cleanest in AZ for our new special friends. I hate to think of it, but we may need to put Jessie into one of these homes. We will keep her in our home as long was we can, but when Craig and I are 60 years old and she is 44 how am I going to lift her? I guess I will live one day at a time...
Over all we had a wonderful and spiritual day!
It's Enough
10 years ago
2 comments:
my kids have gone there and had a good time. What a great idea for a family. I did not know they were thinking of closing it, how sad. Great experience.
why are they closing this? funding? maybe the news needs to be brought into this....sounds like a good story.
I love your stories..especially about the kid spanking Craig...he needs it!
Much love.....kelly
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