The People We Serve

Bob Perkins is able to do things on his own, and he’s proud of his independence. He recently retired from a position he had in the kitchen at a local racquetball club after 18 years of service, but still works part time at McDonalds to keep his hand in. Bob also recentlymarried, and he and his wife, Lauri, a woman with cerebral palsy, make a home for themselves in a charming condominium in a quiet neighborhood. The two are able to manage quite well, but it helps to have staff from the Sunnyhill ISLA program check in from time to time. Bob sometimes needs reminders about appointments and help balancing his checkbook. Without that support Bob said, “I guess, I’d have to be more resourceful.”

Aaron Monsey is one remarkable young man. He has a fascination for weather he developed as a child watching storms with his mother. Today, Aaron loves storms of all kinds, enjoys “tornado” films and even seems to sense a change in the weather.

“He can call a storm,” says Tenille, his caregiver. “It can be sunny and clear, and he will say a storm is coming, and sure enough, in a few hours it will be raining.” 

Remarkable as that may be, however, Aaron is making strides in his own personal development that are just as amazing. At 14, he just graduated 8th grade and is  looking forward to high school. He also has moved into his own apartment which he shares with a roommate. Sunnyhill staff members provide support, and the transition went smoothly.

“He is adjusting very well, for such a young man away from his family,” says Melinda Luna, his program coordinator.  “He’s very mature and enjoys his independence. He also follows the tenets of his religion very closely, loves      activities like visiting the history museum, the science center, the zoo and the swimming pool.  He likes his roommate and he’s a very loving person,” Melinda said.

Amy Rockwell is a quiet woman that loves to read mysteries and take walks. Last year about this time, however, she was in a bind. Amy was struggling to keep up her home in a rundown apartment building as well as care for her two little girls, and she was not quite meeting the mark. The result was that her    children were put in the care of the state, and she was left “upset and angry” in a very “quiet” apartment, she says. It was a hard time for Amy, but she was determined to get her children back, and she had a little help from Sunnyhill. Sara Shemeld, her program coordinator, met with Amy, and they mapped out a strategy.

“I don’t think Amy knew that the way they were living was inappropriate,” Sara said. “We talked about it; then I helped them find a better apartment.”

Amy says the apartment is much better.  “It has a better landlord, better maintenance and it’s just a better place,” she said.

Amy, of course, had to do her part too.

“I had to keep the house clean and do what the court told me to do,” said Amy.

The result is that Brittany, 6 and Megan, 4, two dark haired cheerful little girls have come home, and the family is back together again. And Amy has definite plans for the future.

“I’m going to keep them here and hopefully don’t go through this again,” she said.

Andy Bone gives three reasons why camp is the highlight of his summer. One, it gets him out of the house; two, he finds peers he can connect with; and three, he finds all the “hottest chicks.”  So says the 21 year old, as his bags are packed for his third summer at Sunnyhill Adventures.

Andy has a genetic condition that affects his motor skills, but has left his quick wit intact. He enjoys camp because he finds peers in the counselors---young people that come from all over the world—and he enjoys the camaraderie and the friendships that develop. Since he graduated high school, most of his friends have taken their own paths. His trips to camp are some of the few opportunities he has to socialize with people his own age. He also enjoys the experience and the challenge of activities like the float trip and the 50 foot Alpine tower.  The latter was a challenge Director Rob Darroch helped him conquer. “I’ll get you up there; get to it, boy,” Rob said.

Camp also gives his mother Linda, Andy’s full time caregiver, respite, time to take care of her own needs and relax.  Andy’s situation creates obstacles that both of them have to tackle. Sunnyhill Adventures gives them a week to look forward too.  Fortunately for Andy and his mother though, Andy’s sense of humor helps them weather a lot.  The young man is a budding comedian who sees the funny side of almost anything even his own disability.