Celestine Ditaway found a a good fit for a new living arrangement – and a friend – in Easterseals Arc participant Vera. At the beginning of April, Vera moved into Celestine’s home in Fort Wayne.
Cynthia has resurrected an old skill and is turning her abilities in a new direction: She’s building an inventory of products she has sewn and aims to sell them online.
Luke taps the screen of an iPad, and a tiny machine voice chirps, “fish crackers.” Easterseals Arc staff member Danielle Jones gives him a yellow cracker shaped like a fish. Luke pops it into his mouth.
Since August 2017, Ricky has lost more than 65 pounds. He can walk farther. He used to wear size 48 pants; now his size 42s are pretty loose. He once wore 3X shirts; now he’s comfortable in a large.
Sara says only a few words. Her sentences are only a word long. But she cares about her friends in the Adult Day Center, and she’s becoming a leader.
Liz Dixie could be forgiven if she didn’t answer to her name anymore. At Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana, consumers and staff all know her as “Grandma.”
Twice a week, 29-year-old Caleb settles into a home away from home. Often he spends hours socializing with Easterseals Arc staff he adores. If there are more clients at the Respite House, Caleb usually has a bedroom to himself where he can rest or watch movies.
Ralph keeps McDonald’s scrupulously clean. Three days a week, from mid-morning to early afternoon, Ralph works a steady circuit around all the public areas of the restaurant on Coliseum Boulevard.
Aaron and RiChard play like their lives depend on it. No wonder. The quality of life does depend on bursts of fun to punctuate daily routines, and these two are superstars of play.