Success Stories

Devin

Hi. My name is Devin. I am 21-years-old and live in New Weston, Ohio. I graduated from St. Henry High School in 2005.

After graduation, I enrolled into Wayne Industries, as I was interested in finding competitive employment in our community. I began attending Wayne Industries in May 2006 and worked there for ten months. While at Wayne Industries I was involved in the Wayne Industries Employee Council, serving as an elected member from the Employment Services Team.

In March 2007, I was provided an opportunity to complete a job trial at Troy Sunshade in Greenville, Ohio. This trial worked out and now I am a full time employee with all the benefits of insurance and vacation. My job is to turn bags and to string bags.

Kim Longfellow of Troy Sunshade shared that "Devin has excellent attendance and shows up to work with a smile on his face. He interacts well with fellow workers and is up for any challenge. Devin has proven to be a great asset for Troy Sunshade Company and we are hopeful that he will stay with us for many years to come."

In my free time, I enjoy going to see my grandpa, play basketball, visit with friends and play football. I am also an athlete on the Wayne Industries Warriors Special Olympic Basketball and Softball Teams.

I also have my driver's license. I am a registered voter and I will be voting in the upcoming elections. I keep informed of the political candidates and issues by talking with my family and watching television.

I am proud of the fact that I am now more independent. I have purchased a car and am now a citizen who is a taxpayer, supporting the needs in my community.

Crystal

Hi, my name is Crystal. I am 28-years-old and I live independently in the city of Greenville. I attend Wayne Industries and have been involved there since 2006. I attended Greenville High School. I enjoy walking and riding my bicycle around the city of Greenville. I also enjoy talking on the telephone, emailing others, watching movies, shopping, going to the mall, going to the YMCA, doing crafts and spending time with my friends.

Another area that I want to share about myself is that I am a volunteer at the Darke County Humane Society. I have been a volunteer there for about one year. I volunteer two times per week. My duties there are to water the cats and to walk the dogs. I really love cats.

Christine Thompson, Director of the Darke County Humane Society, shared that Crystal is a wonderful volunteer and takes a lot of interest in the cats. Crystal is always friendly, smiling and pleasant to work with. Working with the animals, especially the cats, is therapeutic for them, as well as Crystal. Her heart is in the right place and she spoils them all, including the dogs.

If interested in volunteering at the Humane Society, please contact Christine Thompson at 548-1009.

Hennie

Hennie has been a consumer with the DCBDD since he began Kindergarten services back in 1999. Hennie has had several obstacles to overcome since moving here from S. Africa with his parents, Henrik and Marnelise, and his brother, Hugo. His first obstacle was the language barrier as Hennie’s first language was African and due to his diagnosis of cerebral paresis with bilateral hemi- paresis he is non-verbal. All of which makes learning and communication extremely difficult for a brand new kindergartener!

But with Hennie’s engaging personality, supportive family, and therapies it did not take him long to begin communicating with his peers using some formal sign language and some signs he created himself. As Hennie got older it was painfully obvious to everyone that sign language was not meeting his needs and a more sophisticated form of communication was needed.

Hennie’s father began researching what communication devices were out there that would both meet his son’s current level of communication and also had the capabilities to grow into the future with him. Once all the research had been completed, Darke County Board began collaborating with other local agencies and funding sources to purchase a CHAT PC and Hennie had an electronic voice that everyone could hear! Hennie made his first verbal presentation in 2004 for his science class project, which even included a power point presentation using his family’s laptop. By 2005 it was again obvious that Hennie had a need for his own laptop and the Board assisted the family with funding for the adaptive equipment.

Hennie uses his communication devices as part of his daily routine as a sophomore in high school and in his daily life outside of school. He is using his laptop extensively for reviewing homework, assignments and participating at school. Hennie is very active in his community and enjoys horseback riding, sporting events, and will be attending NASCAR camp later in the spring with his family. Hennie is still working hard to overcome the limitations of his diagnosis. “Hennie has progressed well with his communication and he and his family are grateful for the generous assistance provided to him,” stated Marnelise, Hennie’s mother.

Nicole

Strides ‘n Stirrups is a non-profit therapeutic riding program, located in Ansonia Ohio. The mission of the program is “to promote personal achievement and enrich the quality of life of individuals with physical or mental handicaps through a partnership with horses.” It is one of 30 NARHA programs in the state of Ohio and is. Anita Carr is the certified therapeutic riding instructor who operates the facility under the guidance of their board of directors.

Nicole is a young woman who has created a partnership with a horse. She has been riding at Strides ‘n Stirrups since August of 2004. Nicole is extremely excited about riding at Strides ‘n Stirrups. She explained that “Anita is funny and nice, and you learn stuff you might not know.” She went on to explain that she works on many activities such as improving her balance and not being afraid of heights. When asked what is her favorite thing about Strides ‘n Stirrups, Nicole responded, “I like the horses, they’re nice animals and they are pretty.” Nicole states the only bad thing about the program is when it is cancelled. She has been unable to ride for the past month or two, due to the weather. Nicole can’t wait to get back in the saddle again.

Nicole’s mother, Barbara, arranged for Nicole to participate in the program knowing that the riding “helps kids with disabilities” similar to those of Nicole. Nicole has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and scoliosis of the spine. Some of the benefits that Barbara and Nicole have seen are better posture and balance. Barbara also states that Nicole’s cognitive skills have increased too as a result of the academic activities she performs while riding. “Anita is like a tutor and works on whatever is needed,” stated Barbara. All of the work is done while Nicole is riding or preparing to ride.

To be successful, Strides ‘n Stirrups is dependent on the volunteers and private donors within the community. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Strides ‘n Stirrups or making a donation, please contact Anita at (937) 564-0185.

Jeff, Bill and Shawn

In 2006 the Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities, working through a non-profit agency, Miami Valley Innovations, purchased a home, in Greenville, using Capital Housing dollars received from the State of Ohio.

Jeff, Bill and Shawn are currently renting the home that was purchased. Jeff and Bill moved into the home in September 2006. When asked what they like best about the home, Jeff responds, “It’s got enough room for everything.” Jeff and Bill previously shared a small two-bedroom apartment where it was difficult to keep the belongings for both them. In 2007 Jeff and Bill asked Shawn if he would like to live with them. This added a new twist to the household as Shawn also had a cat.

Jeff, Bill and Shawn continue to be successful living together. When Shawn was asked what he liked best about living in the home, he stated, “The rent is cheap! And there is not a lot of noise from next door neighbors.” Previously Shawn had lived in a local apartment complex.

Living together still takes some getting used to. Issues arise that need to be addressed between roommates and nerves can be irritated. Taking that into consideration Bill still states that the best thing about living in the house is, “the persons I live with.” Most of the time the good out weighs the bad. Jeff continues to be excited about not having “to go outside to do laundry anymore.” But there are sacrifices that must be made when living with others, such as respecting privacy, sharing living spaces and furniture, as well as creating a chore list.

Jeff, Bill, and Shawn do require some support in their home. The support that they receive is as different as they are. With the assistance of a Service & Support Administrator (Case Manager) needed supports are identified and arrangements are made for them to be provided. Supports are centered around providing for the men’s health and safety and assisting them to be as independent as possible within their community.

As anyone who has shared a house or apartment with another person/s knows, it isn’t always easy living with someone else but, it is part of normal life. That in itself is what the Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities is attempting to help individuals experience… A normal life and all that comes with it.