Home At Last

   It was 1951. Harry Truman was president.  Tony  Bennett, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney had hit songs.   “The Roy Rogers Show” and “I Love Lucy”  debuted on television.  You could buy a loaf of bread for 16 cents.  That was the year Darlene left her home in Washington on the advice of doctors to live in Muscat- atuck State Developmental Center, a large state hospital for people who are developmentally disabled.  And that is where she stayed for the next 42 years.  Darlene was nine years old. 

 

   In 2002, Four Rivers staff met Darlene for the first time.  As the state was downsizing Muscatatuck, agency staff from around the state traveled to the state hospital to meet with residents who were eligible to leave the institution to move into neighboring communities.   After considering their options, Darlene and her caregivers selected Four Rivers as their service provider.

 

   There were months of hard work before Darlene could have a new place to call home. Starting with a solid plan for supporting Darlene in her move, Four Rivers staff worked with a local builder to develop housing  appropriate to her needs, obtained household furnishings, supplies and helpful pieces of adaptive equipment, located and arranged for necessary medical and other services in our area, and selected and trained a direct care team who would assist  Darlene in her daily life.

 

  When Darlene first returned to Washington and moved into her new home, she required total assistance.    Darlene was unable to feed herself or hold a cup.  She depended on a wheelchair to move about, able to walk only a very few steps and only with the help of staff. 

 

   Thanks to practice, patience and the correct equipment, Darlene is now able to feed herself and can drink

independently.  And with persistent physical therapy

exercises, Four Rivers staff helped Darlene achieve exciting progress in her mobility.  Now Darlene uses a walker to get around inside her home and walks all the way to her mailbox at the end of the driveway with some staff assistance.   She uses her wheelchair only for activities out in the community and is quite proud of herself for this accomplishment!

 

   Today, Darlene is a cheerful, happy person. She

welcomes anything that gives her a chance to be around other people.   She enjoys trips to the bowling alley for both the bowling and the socializing.  She enjoys being read to and likes to visit the public library to pick out 

books. She likes visiting the animals at the local animal shelter.  She especially loves swimming and splashing staff members in the pool at the local YMCA!  These and other activities have been helpful in continuing to strengthen Darlene’s arms and legs, and have added great enjoyment to her life.

 

  Moving back to her hometown has brought Darlene much closer to her family.  She regularly attends the same church as her sister and enjoys weekly visits from her.  She also has frequent visits and contact with her niece, other local family members and her guardian. 

 

  Some of the original Four Rivers team who worked with Darlene from the beginning are still with her today. 

Among them, Wanita Showers was recognized by the State of Indiana for her excellent customer service.  The team was determined to help Darlene create a good life in her community.  There remains a strong bond and pride in the accomplishments she has made.

 

   Darlene’s life today is a life full of new activities and    abilities that bring her satisfaction, a comfortable,

functional and safe environment, and people she loves. Darlene is home.