Page 8 - SuccessStoryNewsletterFall2017

“Never let Sherry Shows Fear the Door
your fear
(Sherry, pictured bottom left)
decide
your One of the primary goals of our day habilitation
service is to ensure our program participants are
future." out and enjoying activities and experiences in
their community. That's why Remiah Soto, Service
Coordinator at one of our Adult Day Centers,
is always looking for new opportunities for our
participants to experience outside of her site
in Bergen County. Sometimes, activities in the
community can be a challenge for some of the
program participants.

One individual, Sherry, recently became paralyzed
entirely on her left side and that’s partly the reason
she chooses to stay inside. She's afraid her lack of
mobility will cause her harm. Before her mobility was
impaired, however, she was always very active and
participated in many outdoor functions. She loved
hanging outside, traveling to different locations,
joining in on different hobbies and especially going
out bowling. Staff, noting this drastic change in
her behavior, were committed to preventing it
from becoming a permanent lifestyle change and
encouraged her to overcome her challenges.

Sherry agreed to try being more adventurous and
began using a new way to get around. “She started
using a cane recently to try to avoid falling," Remiah
said. The staff worked with her on overcoming
her fear and kept working with her on the mobility
issues. After gradual progress, she was able to use
her cane without assistance or incident. Eventually,
she surprised the staff by saying she was ready to
go back out for bowling.

We're happy to report, after all that hard work, Sherry
was able to enjoy all the activities she used to, once
again. Tuesdays she even volunteers at the senior
citizen center and plays the piano with her right hand
while the others sing. She's back at it and everyone
is so pleased at her progress! Her resilience inspires
both staff and other participants alike.

Written by Ashley Aneses, Marketing Intern |
East Brunswick | Story by Remiah Soto, Service

Coordinator | Bergen Day Program