mdsc oct 2015 newsletter
DESCRIPTION
October marks 25 years of wonderful success, creating meaning lives for those with disabilities, and good paying jobs for those with the desire to help meet this challenge - in Missoula, MontanaTRANSCRIPT
Eric- SP2M Marketing/River to Ridge Magazine
From: "MDSC" <[email protected]>Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 8:16 AMTo: <[email protected]>Subject: MDSC October E-News Blast
Page 1 of 1
10/8/2015
vs Weber StateOctober 10th
Going to the Game?
Support MDSC by parking in the WGM parking lot located at 1111 E Broadway.
October marks MDSC's 25th anniversary!
JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
WednesdayOctober 28, 20155:00pm-8:00pmUM University
Center3rd Floor Room 332
MDSC WelcomesMichael BassTaylor HerzChristina GrappThomas HapkaDanielle HertzMelanie WilliamsA.J. KauffmanStephanie GiulioSummer MontrossRachel KampsTodd HoltJessica KlausShane GehringKristin GrimKyle IhdeJessica HillTravis SealBridget GibbonsElizabeth HoltonAdam YoungSierra FieldRosy RazoAshton BrownAmy PearsonAmber RodgersAshley BlodgettCaleb MattisTrever RichardsWhitney RoundJeni ArndtZachary Bigoness-MalloyTodd Springfield-SmithDan LangDestinee Stevens
WE'RE HIRINGAre you or someone you know, looking for a new career? If so, check out our Now Hiring You Tube. See the faces of MDSC and make the call!
JOIN OUR TEAM
Thank you to Lolo Peak Brewery, patrons and friends. Through your generosity MDSC raised $228.00 for our Aug. 5thCommunity Pint Night!
Website About Us Donate Learning Staff
October 2015Despite the
Smoke
Client and Staff still enjoyed summer
activities
Day Services has had a busy and productive summer. We've been
dancing and gardening, learning yoga and the ukulele and taking field trips to interesting places in and around Missoula. The smoke has put a little damper on our fun since some of our clients have respiratory issues but we've packed a lot into the last three months.
Early in the summer, we took seedlings from our spring gardening class down to the Garden City Harvest beds at the end of our street.
We rented two raised beds there and have been tending them all summer. We grew corn, tomatoes, squash, asparagus and various other vegetables. Some of our clients attended a four week adaptive yoga class at the YMCA and Stephen Thompson, one of our program managers, continued it here until it starts up again at the Y in mid-September. In July, Day Services hosted a Luau. Clients decorated the center-and themselves with Hawaiian attire-and we danced and sang and hung out together for an afternoon. We've also taken outings to the Ewan Buddhist Gardens in Arlee and the Garnet Ghost Town. Kristi Kusche, our Relief Manager, started up her ukulele class in mid-August. The students will offer a concert at our 25th anniversary celebration.
Now September is upon us and we are ready to roll out our next round of classes. Come visit us and see us learning how to write a newsletter and all about Hip Hop, Ornithology, Social Skills, Bus Safety and many other things. We're looking forward to fall at Day Services!
MDSC Wellness Committee News Blog
On behalf of the TransFit Wellness Group, we are sincerely grateful for the employees at MDSC who put their well-being at the forefront. To us, being "well" is a matter of holism. A person who is physically healthy or astute may feel he or she is fit, and free of dis-ease. Our wellness committee believes in taking that a step further. Wellness is not just being physically fit or possessing mental sharpness; we believe in the state of the entire individual: environmental, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and occupational. What good is it to have physical or social wellness, when emotional and occupational wellness may be causing dis-ease in your life? Take care of more than just your mind and body. Take care of your life and your future!
"The future depends on what we do in the present."~ Mahatma Ghandi
Learn more at TransFit Brochure
2015 Staff Appreciation Event!
MDSC will recognize the following employees on Wednesday, October 21st, in appreciation
for their time and dedication to MDSC:
5-Year Employees Matt Kettelhake Scott Nordgulen
Andrea Kiani Marjorie Boshaw
10-Year Employees Aimee Hustad
15-Year EmployeesGuy Hottinger
Laurie Pitton-Wylie
20-Year Employees Ron McCullar
25-Year EmployeesFran Sadowski
Marilyn MadonaDanelle Solonar
Family, what it means to Tony and JohnThe people assisted through MDSC's services all experience life in their own ways. Some are fortunate enough to be involved with their families on a regular basis and for special occasions and events, which is something our staff encourages with pride. It is a delightful experience to be able to take pleasure in sharing these moments with our clients, as we get to witness the importance of these relationships first hand.
A Stratford resident, Tony, holds his family very dear. Anyone that knows Tony will understand that his parents and siblings hold significant value to him. The Stratford staff helped Tony create a scrapbook full of pictures and relics of fond memories from all throughout his life. Tony will proudly sit with his scrapbook and show people the decorative pages and recount the events from his past.
In July Tony celebrated his 52nd birthday. The staff organized a fantastic celebration for him and invited his friends for a party with cake, pizza, streamers, presents and all around happiness. People jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the planning behind this party. An invitation to Tony's birthday was a very coveted item. Though the celebration was short lived, a mere 2 hours and done, it has become one of my fondest memories of working at MDSC. Tony tore into his gifts leaving bits of wrapping paper shredded across the floor as he proudly held up his new pair of shoes, then his new car, followed by a new pair of pants. I remember thinking that I wish I had a truck load of new things for Tony to shred into, hoping the excitement wouldn't stop.
But this party was not what fully mattered to Tony on his birthday. Just the week before Tony received a surprise visit from his sister and her husband. During Tony's visit with his sister he opened his birthday presents from them and was very excited over each new thing. He then temporarily cast his presents aside to introduce his family to his friends and peers at the day center, taking them to see the vans parked outside, and posing for snapshots that will serve as new keepsakes to be tucked safely away in his scrapbook.I was not fortunate enough to witness the visit first hand, but I was able to gain a great deal of pleasure in hearing so many other people's accounts of how happy Tony and his sister were to see each other. Needless to say there were a lot loving embraces and tearful smiles.
Another individual who resides at the Curtis Mod Group Home, John, received the unfortunate news of his father's death just last year. Delivering such news was a difficult undertaking, but John received this well knowing that his father was at peace in heaven and watching down on him. It had been a few years
since John had contact with his aging father, so after a few moments, John was at peace with his loss and seemed to be moving along just fine. It wasn't until after a trip to the Ewam Garden of a Thousand Buddhas last month that John began reflecting on his father and mentioned to his staff that he would like to honor him. He thought about other ceremonies he's participated in where the name of a person who has passed was written on
a balloon, then released to the sky. This is what John wanted to do for his dad, stating, "Everyone in heaven gets a balloon sent to them, except for myfather."
Support MDSC through AmazonSmile.com
You can support MDSC with every purchase through AmazonSmile.com and select
Missoula Development Service Corporation.
Forward this email
This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected]| Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider.
MDSC | 1005 Marshall Street | Missoula | MT | 59801
Despite the Smoke Client and Staff still enjoyed
summer activities
Day Services has had a busy and produc-tive summer. We’ve been dancing and gar-dening, learning yoga and the ukulele and taking field trips to interesting places in and around Missoula. The smoke has put a little damper on our fun since some of our clients have respiratory issues but we’ve packed a lot into the last three months.
Early in the summer, we took seedlings from our spring gardening class down to the Garden City Harvest beds at the end of our street. We rented two raised beds there and have been tending them all summer. We grew corn, tomatoes, squash, asparagus and various other vegetables. Some of our clients attended a four week adaptive yoga class at the YMCA and Stephen Thompson, one of our program managers, continued it here until it starts up again at the Y in mid-September. In July, Day Services hosted a Luau. Clients decorated the center-and themselves with Hawaiian attire-and we danced and sang and hung out together for an afternoon.
We’ve also taken outings to the Ewan Buddhist Gardens in Arlee and the Gar-net Ghost Town. Kristi Kusche, our Relief Manager, started up her ukulele class in mid-August. The students will offer a con-cert at our 25th anniversary celebration.
Now September is upon us and we are ready to roll out our next round of classes. Come visit us and see us learning how to write a newsletter and all about Hip Hop, Ornithology, Social Skills, Bus Safety and many other things. We’re looking forward to fall at Day Services!
Eric- SP2M Marketing/River to Ridge Magazine
From: "MDSC" <[email protected]>Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 8:16 AMTo: <[email protected]>Subject: MDSC October E-News Blast
Page 1 of 1
10/8/2015
vs Weber StateOctober 10th
Going to the Game?
Support MDSC by parking in the WGM parking lot located at 1111 E Broadway.
October marks MDSC's 25th anniversary!
JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
WednesdayOctober 28, 20155:00pm-8:00pmUM University
Center3rd Floor Room 332
MDSC WelcomesMichael BassTaylor HerzChristina GrappThomas HapkaDanielle HertzMelanie WilliamsA.J. KauffmanStephanie GiulioSummer MontrossRachel KampsTodd HoltJessica KlausShane GehringKristin GrimKyle IhdeJessica HillTravis SealBridget GibbonsElizabeth HoltonAdam YoungSierra FieldRosy RazoAshton BrownAmy PearsonAmber RodgersAshley BlodgettCaleb MattisTrever RichardsWhitney RoundJeni ArndtZachary Bigoness-MalloyTodd Springfield-SmithDan LangDestinee Stevens
WE'RE HIRINGAre you or someone you know, looking for a new career? If so, check out our Now Hiring You Tube. See the faces of MDSC and make the call!
JOIN OUR TEAM
Thank you to Lolo Peak Brewery, patrons and friends. Through your generosity MDSC raised $228.00 for our Aug. 5thCommunity Pint Night!
Website About Us Donate Learning Staff
October 2015Despite the
Smoke
Client and Staff still enjoyed summer
activities
Day Services has had a busy and productive summer. We've been
dancing and gardening, learning yoga and the ukulele and taking field trips to interesting places in and around Missoula. The smoke has put a little damper on our fun since some of our clients have respiratory issues but we've packed a lot into the last three months.
Early in the summer, we took seedlings from our spring gardening class down to the Garden City Harvest beds at the end of our street.
We rented two raised beds there and have been tending them all summer. We grew corn, tomatoes, squash, asparagus and various other vegetables. Some of our clients attended a four week adaptive yoga class at the YMCA and Stephen Thompson, one of our program managers, continued it here until it starts up again at the Y in mid-September. In July, Day Services hosted a Luau. Clients decorated the center-and themselves with Hawaiian attire-and we danced and sang and hung out together for an afternoon. We've also taken outings to the Ewan Buddhist Gardens in Arlee and the Garnet Ghost Town. Kristi Kusche, our Relief Manager, started up her ukulele class in mid-August. The students will offer a concert at our 25th anniversary celebration.
Now September is upon us and we are ready to roll out our next round of classes. Come visit us and see us learning how to write a newsletter and all about Hip Hop, Ornithology, Social Skills, Bus Safety and many other things. We're looking forward to fall at Day Services!
MDSC Wellness Committee News Blog
On behalf of the TransFit Wellness Group, we are sincerely grateful for the employees at MDSC who put their well-being at the forefront. To us, being "well" is a matter of holism. A person who is physically healthy or astute may feel he or she is fit, and free of dis-ease. Our wellness committee believes in taking that a step further. Wellness is not just being physically fit or possessing mental sharpness; we believe in the state of the entire individual: environmental, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and occupational. What good is it to have physical or social wellness, when emotional and occupational wellness may be causing dis-ease in your life? Take care of more than just your mind and body. Take care of your life and your future!
"The future depends on what we do in the present."~ Mahatma Ghandi
Learn more at TransFit Brochure
2015 Staff Appreciation Event!
MDSC will recognize the following employees on Wednesday, October 21st, in appreciation
for their time and dedication to MDSC:
5-Year Employees Matt Kettelhake Scott Nordgulen
Andrea Kiani Marjorie Boshaw
10-Year Employees Aimee Hustad
15-Year EmployeesGuy Hottinger
Laurie Pitton-Wylie
20-Year Employees Ron McCullar
25-Year EmployeesFran Sadowski
Marilyn MadonaDanelle Solonar
Family, what it means to Tony and JohnThe people assisted through MDSC's services all experience life in their own ways. Some are fortunate enough to be involved with their families on a regular basis and for special occasions and events, which is something our staff encourages with pride. It is a delightful experience to be able to take pleasure in sharing these moments with our clients, as we get to witness the importance of these relationships first hand.
A Stratford resident, Tony, holds his family very dear. Anyone that knows Tony will understand that his parents and siblings hold significant value to him. The Stratford staff helped Tony create a scrapbook full of pictures and relics of fond memories from all throughout his life. Tony will proudly sit with his scrapbook and show people the decorative pages and recount the events from his past.
In July Tony celebrated his 52nd birthday. The staff organized a fantastic celebration for him and invited his friends for a party with cake, pizza, streamers, presents and all around happiness. People jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the planning behind this party. An invitation to Tony's birthday was a very coveted item. Though the celebration was short lived, a mere 2 hours and done, it has become one of my fondest memories of working at MDSC. Tony tore into his gifts leaving bits of wrapping paper shredded across the floor as he proudly held up his new pair of shoes, then his new car, followed by a new pair of pants. I remember thinking that I wish I had a truck load of new things for Tony to shred into, hoping the excitement wouldn't stop.
But this party was not what fully mattered to Tony on his birthday. Just the week before Tony received a surprise visit from his sister and her husband. During Tony's visit with his sister he opened his birthday presents from them and was very excited over each new thing. He then temporarily cast his presents aside to introduce his family to his friends and peers at the day center, taking them to see the vans parked outside, and posing for snapshots that will serve as new keepsakes to be tucked safely away in his scrapbook.I was not fortunate enough to witness the visit first hand, but I was able to gain a great deal of pleasure in hearing so many other people's accounts of how happy Tony and his sister were to see each other. Needless to say there were a lot loving embraces and tearful smiles.
Another individual who resides at the Curtis Mod Group Home, John, received the unfortunate news of his father's death just last year. Delivering such news was a difficult undertaking, but John received this well knowing that his father was at peace in heaven and watching down on him. It had been a few years
since John had contact with his aging father, so after a few moments, John was at peace with his loss and seemed to be moving along just fine. It wasn't until after a trip to the Ewam Garden of a Thousand Buddhas last month that John began reflecting on his father and mentioned to his staff that he would like to honor him. He thought about other ceremonies he's participated in where the name of a person who has passed was written on
a balloon, then released to the sky. This is what John wanted to do for his dad, stating, "Everyone in heaven gets a balloon sent to them, except for myfather."
Support MDSC through AmazonSmile.com
You can support MDSC with every purchase through AmazonSmile.com and select
Missoula Development Service Corporation.
Forward this email
This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected]| Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider.
MDSC | 1005 Marshall Street | Missoula | MT | 59801
MISSOULA DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICE CORPORATTIONOCTOBER 2015
Eric- SP2M Marketing/River to Ridge Magazine
From: "MDSC" <[email protected]>Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 8:16 AMTo: <[email protected]>Subject: MDSC October E-News Blast
Page 1 of 1
10/8/2015
vs Weber StateOctober 10th
Going to the Game?
Support MDSC by parking in the WGM parking lot located at 1111 E Broadway.
October marks MDSC's 25th anniversary!
JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
WednesdayOctober 28, 20155:00pm-8:00pmUM University
Center3rd Floor Room 332
MDSC WelcomesMichael BassTaylor HerzChristina GrappThomas HapkaDanielle HertzMelanie WilliamsA.J. KauffmanStephanie GiulioSummer MontrossRachel KampsTodd HoltJessica KlausShane GehringKristin GrimKyle IhdeJessica HillTravis SealBridget GibbonsElizabeth HoltonAdam YoungSierra FieldRosy RazoAshton BrownAmy PearsonAmber RodgersAshley BlodgettCaleb MattisTrever RichardsWhitney RoundJeni ArndtZachary Bigoness-MalloyTodd Springfield-SmithDan LangDestinee Stevens
WE'RE HIRINGAre you or someone you know, looking for a new career? If so, check out our Now Hiring You Tube. See the faces of MDSC and make the call!
JOIN OUR TEAM
Thank you to Lolo Peak Brewery, patrons and friends. Through your generosity MDSC raised $228.00 for our Aug. 5thCommunity Pint Night!
Website About Us Donate Learning Staff
October 2015Despite the
Smoke
Client and Staff still enjoyed summer
activities
Day Services has had a busy and productive summer. We've been
dancing and gardening, learning yoga and the ukulele and taking field trips to interesting places in and around Missoula. The smoke has put a little damper on our fun since some of our clients have respiratory issues but we've packed a lot into the last three months.
Early in the summer, we took seedlings from our spring gardening class down to the Garden City Harvest beds at the end of our street.
We rented two raised beds there and have been tending them all summer. We grew corn, tomatoes, squash, asparagus and various other vegetables. Some of our clients attended a four week adaptive yoga class at the YMCA and Stephen Thompson, one of our program managers, continued it here until it starts up again at the Y in mid-September. In July, Day Services hosted a Luau. Clients decorated the center-and themselves with Hawaiian attire-and we danced and sang and hung out together for an afternoon. We've also taken outings to the Ewan Buddhist Gardens in Arlee and the Garnet Ghost Town. Kristi Kusche, our Relief Manager, started up her ukulele class in mid-August. The students will offer a concert at our 25th anniversary celebration.
Now September is upon us and we are ready to roll out our next round of classes. Come visit us and see us learning how to write a newsletter and all about Hip Hop, Ornithology, Social Skills, Bus Safety and many other things. We're looking forward to fall at Day Services!
MDSC Wellness Committee News Blog
On behalf of the TransFit Wellness Group, we are sincerely grateful for the employees at MDSC who put their well-being at the forefront. To us, being "well" is a matter of holism. A person who is physically healthy or astute may feel he or she is fit, and free of dis-ease. Our wellness committee believes in taking that a step further. Wellness is not just being physically fit or possessing mental sharpness; we believe in the state of the entire individual: environmental, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and occupational. What good is it to have physical or social wellness, when emotional and occupational wellness may be causing dis-ease in your life? Take care of more than just your mind and body. Take care of your life and your future!
"The future depends on what we do in the present."~ Mahatma Ghandi
Learn more at TransFit Brochure
2015 Staff Appreciation Event!
MDSC will recognize the following employees on Wednesday, October 21st, in appreciation
for their time and dedication to MDSC:
5-Year Employees Matt Kettelhake Scott Nordgulen
Andrea Kiani Marjorie Boshaw
10-Year Employees Aimee Hustad
15-Year EmployeesGuy Hottinger
Laurie Pitton-Wylie
20-Year Employees Ron McCullar
25-Year EmployeesFran Sadowski
Marilyn MadonaDanelle Solonar
Family, what it means to Tony and JohnThe people assisted through MDSC's services all experience life in their own ways. Some are fortunate enough to be involved with their families on a regular basis and for special occasions and events, which is something our staff encourages with pride. It is a delightful experience to be able to take pleasure in sharing these moments with our clients, as we get to witness the importance of these relationships first hand.
A Stratford resident, Tony, holds his family very dear. Anyone that knows Tony will understand that his parents and siblings hold significant value to him. The Stratford staff helped Tony create a scrapbook full of pictures and relics of fond memories from all throughout his life. Tony will proudly sit with his scrapbook and show people the decorative pages and recount the events from his past.
In July Tony celebrated his 52nd birthday. The staff organized a fantastic celebration for him and invited his friends for a party with cake, pizza, streamers, presents and all around happiness. People jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the planning behind this party. An invitation to Tony's birthday was a very coveted item. Though the celebration was short lived, a mere 2 hours and done, it has become one of my fondest memories of working at MDSC. Tony tore into his gifts leaving bits of wrapping paper shredded across the floor as he proudly held up his new pair of shoes, then his new car, followed by a new pair of pants. I remember thinking that I wish I had a truck load of new things for Tony to shred into, hoping the excitement wouldn't stop.
But this party was not what fully mattered to Tony on his birthday. Just the week before Tony received a surprise visit from his sister and her husband. During Tony's visit with his sister he opened his birthday presents from them and was very excited over each new thing. He then temporarily cast his presents aside to introduce his family to his friends and peers at the day center, taking them to see the vans parked outside, and posing for snapshots that will serve as new keepsakes to be tucked safely away in his scrapbook.I was not fortunate enough to witness the visit first hand, but I was able to gain a great deal of pleasure in hearing so many other people's accounts of how happy Tony and his sister were to see each other. Needless to say there were a lot loving embraces and tearful smiles.
Another individual who resides at the Curtis Mod Group Home, John, received the unfortunate news of his father's death just last year. Delivering such news was a difficult undertaking, but John received this well knowing that his father was at peace in heaven and watching down on him. It had been a few years
since John had contact with his aging father, so after a few moments, John was at peace with his loss and seemed to be moving along just fine. It wasn't until after a trip to the Ewam Garden of a Thousand Buddhas last month that John began reflecting on his father and mentioned to his staff that he would like to honor him. He thought about other ceremonies he's participated in where the name of a person who has passed was written on
a balloon, then released to the sky. This is what John wanted to do for his dad, stating, "Everyone in heaven gets a balloon sent to them, except for myfather."
Support MDSC through AmazonSmile.com
You can support MDSC with every purchase through AmazonSmile.com and select
Missoula Development Service Corporation.
Forward this email
This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected]| Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider.
MDSC | 1005 Marshall Street | Missoula | MT | 59801
WE’RE HIRING!!!Are you or someone you know, looking for a new career? If so, check out our Now Hiring You
Tube. See the faces of MDSC and make the call!
Support MDSC through AmazonSmile.com
2015 Staff Appreciation Event! MDSC will recognize the following employeeson Wednesday, October 21st, in appreciationfor their time and dedication to MDSC:
5-Year Employees Matt KettelhakeScott NordgulenAndrea KianiMarjorie Boshaw
10-Year EmployeeAimee Hustad
15-Year EmployeesGuy HottingerLaurie Pitton-Wylie
20-Year EmployeeRon McCullar
25-Year EmployeesFran SadowskiMarilyn MadonaDanelle Solonar
Michael BassTaylor HerzChristina GrappThomas HapkaDanielle HertzMelanie WilliamsA.J. KauffmanStephanie GiulioSummer MontrossRachel KampsTodd HoltJessica KlausShane GehringKristin GrimKyle IhdeJessica HillTodd Springfield-Smith
Bridget GibbonsElizabeth HoltonAdam YoungSierra FieldRosy RazoAshton BrownAmy PearsonAmber RodgersAshley BlodgettCaleb MattisTrever RichardsWhitney RoundJeni ArndtDan LangDestinee StevensTravis Seal
MDSC Welcomes our Newest Employees!
MDSC Wellness Committee News Blog On behalf of the TransFit Wellness Group, we are sincerely grateful for the employees at MDSC who put their well-being at the forefront. To us, being “well” is a matter of holism. A person who is physically healthy or astute may feel he or she is fit, and free of dis-ease. Our well-ness committee believes in taking that a step further. Wellness is not just being physically fit or possessing mental sharpness; we believe in the state of the entire individual: environmental, intellectual, emotional, physical,social, spiritual and occupa-
tional. What good is it to have physical or social wellness, when emotional and occupational wellness may be causing dis-ease in your life? Take care of more than just your mind and body. Take care of your life and your future!
“The future depends on what we do in the present.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Learn more at TransFit Brochure
The people assisted through MDSC’s services all experience life in their own ways. Some are fortunate enough to be involved with their families on a regular basis and for special occasions and events, which is something our staff encourag-es with pride. It is a delightful experience to be able to take pleasure in sharing these moments with our clients, as we get to witness the im-portance of these relationships first hand. A Stratford resident, Tony, holds his family very dear. Anyone that knows Tony will under-stand that his parents and siblings hold signif-icant value to him. The Stratford staff helped Tony create a scrapbook full of pictures and relics of fond memories from all throughout his life. Tony will proudly sit with his scrapbook and show people the decorative pages and recount the events from his past. In July Tony celebrated his 52nd birthday. The staff organized a fantastic celebration for him and invited his friends for a party with cake, pizza, stream-ers, presents and all around happiness. People jumped at the opportunity to be a
part of the planning behind this party. An invitation to Tony’s birthday was a very covet-ed item. Though the celebration was short lived, a mere 2 hours and done, it has become one of my fondest memories of working at MDSC. Tony tore into his gifts leaving bits of wrapping paper shredded across the floor as he proudly held up his new pair of shoes, then his new car, followed by a new pair of pants. I remember thinking that I wish I had a truck load of new things for Tony to shred into, oping the excitement wouldn’t stop. But this party was not what fully mattered to Tony on his birthday. Just the week before Tony received a surprise visit from his sister and her husband. During Tony’s visit with his sister he opened his birthday presents from them and was very excited over each new thing. He then temporarily cast his presents aside to introduce his family to his friends and peers at the day center, taking them to see the vans parked outside, and posing for snapshots that will serve as new keepsakes to be tucked safely away in his scrapbook. I was not fortunate enough to witness the visit first hand, but I was able to gain a great deal of pleasure in hearing so many other people’s accounts of how happy Tony and his sister were to see each other. Needless to say there were a lot loving embraces and tearful smiles. Another individual who resides at the Curtis Mod Group Home, John, received the unfortunate news of his father’s death just last year. Delivering such news was a difficult undertaking, but John received this well knowing that his father was at peace in heaven and watching down on him. It had been a few years since John had contact with his aging father, so after a few moments, John was at peace with his loss and seemed to be moving along just fine. It wasn’t until after a trip to the Ewam Garden of a Thousand Buddhas last month that John began reflecting on his father and mentioned to his staff that he would like to honor him. He thought about other ceremonies he’s participated in where the name of a person who has passed was written on a balloon, then released to the sky. This is what John wanted to do for his dad, stating, “Everyone in heaven gets a balloon sent to them, except for my father.”
Family . . . what it means to Tony and John
Zachary Bigoness-Malloy