August 3, 2016

by: Emily Hastings

2016 Boots Fisher Award Winners

Madelyne

Madelyne (Maddie) is a bright and determined young lady who has been receiving physical and occupational therapies at UCP for the past seven years. She has had an extremely eventful and complicated medical history, but refuses to let her diagnoses or disability define her. Maddie is diagnosed with cerebral palsy with mixed tone that has stumped some of the most prestigious physicians in the state.

At only 11 years old, Maddie has endured many surgeries, has been hospitalized over 40 times for issues related to her cerebral palsy, GI problems and chronic lung issues. Her personal goal has always been to walk, with a specific goal of walking across the finish line at the Cleveland Triathlon with as much independence as possible.

Recently, through the hard work and advocacy of her mom and family, Maddie received a new wheelchair that allows her to transition to a standing position and drive so she can ‘walk’ wherever she needs to go and can finally be at eye level with her peers. She plans to use her new wheelchair to walk across the finish line at the Cleveland Triathlon this year!

Maddie has advocated with legislators as a representative for Akron Children’s Hospital in the “Speak Now for Kids” Family Advocacy Day in Washington, DC as one of 35 children from across the country invited to share her story with a member of the U.S. Congress.  When Maddie met with Senator Rob Portman, she saw he had a canoe hanging on his wall and immediately asked him if she could borrow it for the triathlon!

Maddie has been fighting an uphill battle since the day she was born and yet she remains enthusiastic, energetic and loves life. Her favorite saying  is “No Pain, No Gain!”

Jesse

Oakleaf, A Center of Excellence for Adults, offers programs that operate with a presumption of employability for people with disabilities: meaningful work is available for every individual who wants to work at a level that meets their needs. Program staff work with each individual to identify their interests and employment goals, as well as developing their workplace skills, to encourage them to continue their growth and become more independent. One of our clients, Jesse, is a great example how the tiered approach of our employment programs helps people to obtain a job with the least restrictions.

Jesse began his journey with Oakleaf Transition Services as part of the 2012 and 2013 Summer Youth Work Experience. This program allows transition-age high school students with disabilities the opportunity to explore different careers to find what they’re interested in and to build job-related skills to help them on whatever path they choose. After Jesse graduated from high school in 2014, he began in the OakLeaf Job Training Services program where he worked on packaging, sorting, shredding documents and even tried some janitorial work.

In June of 2015, Jesse felt he was ready to try working in the community and attended the Cuyahoga County Board of Development Disabilities’ Cleveland Crops farming program. Although Jesse was certainly able to perform the work, it was discovered that he works best in a work group with a supervisor to help him remain on task. Jesse briefly returned to UCP’s Job Training Services until October when an opportunity became available for an assessment at OakLeaf Partner’s Reese Pharmaceutical Supported Employment Site. Jesse flourished under the supervision of Site Supervisor, Antoinette Henry. However, a permanent position at Reese was not available at that time. In January of 2016, Jesse moved on to another assessment at the Supported Employment Site at Oatey SCS where he is now wowing them with his excellent work skills and can-do attitude.

OakLeaf Partner’s is proud to announce that, as of April 11, 2016, Jesse has been hired in the Supported Employment group at Oatey Manufacturing. He has continued to increase his skill set and has begun building relationships with his co-workers as well as many Oatey staff and management. Jesse has expressed his satisfaction with his job and looks forward to going every day. Jesse’s supervisor at Oatey, Charlie Freed, states, “He gets along very well with co-workers and is a big asset to the Oatey team. He has a willingness to learn new tasks and does so quickly. Jess is always smiling and happy when he comes to work.”

Martin

Martin is a resident at Edendale House, which is fully accessible and provides 24-hour care to eight adults with a wide range of developmental and/or physical disabilities. When Martin first came to OakLeaf Homes, he was very withdrawn and would isolate himself in the recreation room at the back of the house.  He refused to join in activities with his housemates and would rarely interact with staff. Martin was previously at another house, so making this transition to a new home was a big change. Martin had great difficulty whenever he had to veer from his set routine and retreated to protective rituals.

However, over time he became less leery of the staff and his home environment. He slowly started to spend time in the living room with his peers. He even started talking about his peers to staff, telling them when someone needed a shave or a haircut! Hester Brown, the program manager for OakLeaf Homes, says she has seen Martin become more trusting and more involved with his peers and staff. “He has become more open to new things and let go of previous security items for new ones,” says Brown.

Martin has come a long way since coming to UCP a year and a half ago. He is doing very well in his activity room at OakLeaf Day Services, where he comes Monday through Friday. He also knows every client that lives with him, and if someone is missing he becomes very worried and will ask about them. He has learned employee’s names and will even ask for them when they are not present. “In the past year and a half, Marty has become more independent and seems to be happier because the people working with him are caring and considerate,” says his sister-in-law Marcy. “He doesn’t feel like he is just going through the motions, he feels truly loved and cared for.”

For Martin, breaking through his social barriers and his comforting protective rituals is an amazing feat.  It shows trust, perseverance, and growth. Martin is an inspiration to others dealing with similar challenges, but also a great example of how change can facilitate growth in all areas of our lives.

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