I AM NOT My Body

You and I look at other people every day and vice versa, and we size each other up based on what we see in that slice of time through our own perceptual filter, often clogged with our own stuff:  personal self-image, past experiences, and belief systems developed through social, cultural, religious, gender, and familial influences.  I have learned that anyone, me included, deciding on whom someone is, especially someone with a developmental disability based on the first impression, or deciding what he or she is capable of doing commits a grave mistake.  Did not American Idol’s Simon Cowell deciding upon seeing a frumpy Susan Boyle her audition was going to be a waste of time realize his mistake when she belted her song with a voice that came from out of nowhere?  How often we do this to others in our everyday lives?

 

Many look at the individuals we serve on Campus through our residential and outpatient therapy programs and only see their physical disabilities and what they “can’t” do; however, their bodies do not define who they are!  Each person has a unique story, experiences unlike anything you and I can even imagine.  They also have personal interests, desires, goals, dreams, just like you and me.  The only difference is we see these individuals’ “story” depicted more clearly  through the physiological appearance of their bodies, which tends to make the sub-story of who they really seemingly invisible.  Their physical appearances only tell part of a story:

·         A young man physically abused as a child.

·         A young man suffered a head injury from a skateboard accident.

·         A young man carried during pregnancy by a mother addicted to drugs.

·         A young boy deprived of oxygen for two minutes during an emergency premature birth.

·         A young woman violently shaken as an infant.

·         A young woman abandoned by her parents after learning she had cerebral palsy.

We all have a history that influences us in who and how we present ourselves to the world; but that history does not DEFINE who we are unless we let it.  We cannot possibly see or know the whole person in one quick glance or meeting.  The unique bodies, awkward muscular movements, slumped-over heads, and/or unintelligible verbal communication depicts only a part of the sum of an individual, just as a frumpy overweight and seemingly unkempt physical appearance only depicted a part of the sum of Susan Boyle.  Unfortunately, we as a society still tends to discount individuals with disabilities, dismissing them as inept and/or unable based on a brief encounter and a whole lot of assumption.

I recently spoke to an elderly neighbor who said when he learned I worked with WFC, “That’s a sad place; those are sad people.”  This outdated opinion could not be further from the truth! Denise and Zach actively volunteer within our community!  Gary, Lonnie and Brad work out in local gyms!  Bryant (pictured below) continues his education online, and another Gary keeps his eye on the riverfront work and socializes all over town!  Roger and Shelly advocate for street safety for those in wheelchairs with the city!

Our Campus individuals have more courage and determination to live life than I do some days.  We at Wendell Foster’s Campus work to ensure the empowerment of each individual with developmental disabilities who lives on and off Campus.   We take seriously our mission statement of empowering these individuals in realizing their dreams and their potential, and we reaffirmed our promise to continue ensuring those we serve do not simply “get by” in life but “thrive” by providing them the opportunity to enjoy a quality of life that reflects who they are beneath the physical disabilities.

Over the next several months, Unique Bodies~Determined Souls will share the stories of how Wendell Foster’s Campus is keeping our promises to the amazing individuals we serve.   WFC and its staff are challenging ourselves to broaden our perspective and deepen our understanding of each individual we serve by learning more about what is important to him or her. 

And, it is through this effort we are seeing our residents take ownership to becoming more independent, greater self-advocates, more active members within our community, and living even  more fulfilling lives!

In the Next Blog Entry:  Scrambled or Fried - "The person taking care of you wakes you up at the crack of chickens, hollering in a fake chipper voice, “Rise and shine!” Then you are pulled out of bed and plopped into a chair in front of a TV. . . . .   "

We want to hear from you! Please share your responses and comments by clicking below on “Comment” – you may post them anonymously or using your gmail.com profile name.

“The educated do not share a common body of information, but a common state of mind.” ~Mason Cooley
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Blog content is copyrighted property of Wendell Foster’s Campus for Development Disabilities and Carolyn Smith Ferber and/or other blog authors). Content may be used, duplicated or reprinted only with the expressed authorization of the Wendell Foster’s Campus. Permission for use, duplication or reprints may be made to wfcampus.org@gmail.com.

Keeping Our Promises

Wendell Foster’s Campus (WFC) hosted its Annual Auction and Benefit Dinner in September, a fundraising event we have held for the past nine years.  This event, and its theme of “Keeping Promises,” is a huge undertaking for our staff that begins several months before it happens.  I am continuously amazed and touched by the support our Owensboro community gives to this effort.  In addition to several businesses that sponsor the event, well over two-hundred businesses and individuals donate incredible items valued from $15 to $1500 to our silent and live auctions.  Over 420 people attend the benefit held at the Owensboro Sportscenter that transforms into a beautiful setting supporting our theme.  Countless hours go into finalizing details during the few weeks and days before the event; and the payoff is worth it.  Everyone, staff included has a good time, and the generosity that flows during the auctions bring tears of pride to one’s eyes.  The enthusiastic support for WFC and keeping our promises to the individuals we serve is overwhelming to the heart.

WFC’s “Keeping Promises” continues long after the event.   In an advertising campaign launched in September, we share how WFC and this community are keeping our promises to those with developmental disabilities through advertisements, radio and TV spots, and billboards.  You may have already seen the faces of people who benefit from our efforts to support and empower them to reach their potential.   WFC has fulfilled this mission since 1947, and within the past year is increasing its efforts to a new meaningful level through a concept of “person-centered” service.  The truth is Wendell Foster’s Campus and its staff have consistently committed themselves to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) for decades.  In fact, it has been the best-kept secret in town; but not anymore!  The Owensboro community will meet the people we serve, men and women such as Denise, Josh and Gary.

Owensboro will meet Denise who had no voice, but loves to talk and now can, thanks to the generosity of donors attending the 2010 Auction and Benefit Dinner.  When Denise arrived in 2008, she communicated with only her eyes, but made the request of WFC to help her find a better way to “talk” with and to people.  WFC and our speech therapy department kept that promise.  Today, Denise communicates what is on her mind through a computer communication device that utilizes her eyes to select what she wants to say.  She shares her witty sense of humor, and volunteers to read to elementary and preschool children in town.

Josh is a young man with a vibrant personality, and as a social butterfly, he loves meeting people.  Josh also loves photography, capturing a point of view from his wheelchair that gives others a fresh new perspective through his lens.  After Josh graduated from high school, WFC renewed its promise to support him in becoming an active and contributing adult in our community.  Josh volunteers at our front reception desk, and helps manage our on-Campus recycling program.  He is also the caretaker of his Cottage’s raised-garden box, and recently started a new job with Hugh E. Sandefur Industries.

Gary’s history with Wendell Foster’s Campus began when he was seven years old, arriving into the care of Mr. and Mrs. Foster in 1953. His goal?  Independence.  In 1982, Gary moved into his own home for many years before returning to WFC in 2008.  He moves around town in his wheelchair, from the south end for lunch at Show Me’s restaurant to the north end to check out the riverfront reconstruction.  Gary (seen above in photo by Gary Emord-Netzley of Messenger-Inquirer) knows everyone in town, and everyone knows Gary because WFC kept its promise to empower him in his mobility and ability to remain an active member of our community.

Wendell Foster’s Campus is not just keeping our promises to those we serve with developmental disabilities.  We are also keeping our promises to a community who supports and generously donates to our efforts for over the last six decades.  More importantly, we the staff and board members are keeping our promise to Wendell and Edith Foster to continue their life’s legacy: the commitment to their vision and dream of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

While our Campus has greatly changed over the years, our staff and board stay the course in fulfilling our mission to empower individuals with developmental disabilities in reaching their dreams and their potential.  Today, we renew our commitment and promise to focus our efforts more on each individual, and his and her uniqueness in order to bring forth even more their potential.  In doing so, we open up even more possibilities for them  to create an even greater quality of life.

In the Next Blog Entry:  I AM Not My Body - ". . . we see these individuals’ “story” depicted more clearly through the physiological appearance of their bodies . . . . Their physical appearances only tell part of a story:  . . . . . physically abused as a child. . . . . suffered a head injury . . .  carried in pregnancy by a mother addicted to drugs. . . . "

We want to hear from you! Please share your responses and comments by clicking below on “Comment” – you may post them anonymously or using your gmail.com profile name.

“The educated do not share a common body of information, but a common state of mind.” ~Mason Cooley
Please share our blog with others via Facebook, Twitter, or email! Follow our blog! Click on “Join our Site” below.

Blog content is copyrighted property of Wendell Foster’s Campus for Development Disabilities and Carolyn Smith Ferber and/or other blog authors). Content may be used, duplicated or reprinted only with the expressed authorization of the Wendell Foster’s Campus. Permission for use, duplication or reprints may be made to wfcampus.org@gmail.com.