One Sunday night recently, I took my daughter home to her
residence in Shoreham/Wading River. It is a 92-bed facility for men and women
with special needs. Depending on how happy she is, she will either be coaxed
out of the car by me, or happily and giggly climb out of the back seat.
As we walked toward the entrance from the parked car, I
spotted a couple who were leaving the facility after visiting their daughter
for the day. His name is Jack and is a former board member, and so he knew
where he was. My daughter Ellen would remind him anyway.
As we walked toward the entrance Jack acknowledged me and we
started to chat a little when my Ellen went up to him and gave him probably the
biggest hug he ever got, maybe bigger than anything his wife ever gave him.
Jack stood his ground as he said hello to Ellen and Ellen just continued to
hug. She then turned her attention to his wife who was standing behind her
opened car door on the passenger’s side. Although Ellen doesn’t speak, she
started to make a fuss over this woman too.
Being in an environment that accepts Ellen for who she is,
it was easy for these nice people to accept Ellen’s enthusiasm for their being
there. As they drove away, I continued to walk Ellen to the front door and as
we entered the building, she looked around with just a shift of her big eyes,
kind of saying: “Is there anyone here to greet me?” Then she entered her
section of the building and ran forward toward the main room where all her
friends are, and started a screeching happy noise as she saw everyone, running
up to the houseparent hugging her too.
Suddenly, her daddy who had her attention all afternoon, was
no longer important, forgotten and as she distanced herself from him, never
looking back! I guess after all those years where she never wanted me to leave
her, she is now comfortable with where she is and more importantly, who she is.
It turns out, no matter where I am in the agency, the main office, the school
or workshop, or even residences, they all know her and all love her. She is a
character!
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