Sam lives at the Donohoe home in Eugene. He has been with Kerr for 4 years. He is a happy energetic young man of 28. He loves life and loves to look good. He gets services due to a brain injury from birth. Sam was so happy to get the items he received for Christmas. How could any one miss the big smile on his face at the gift of socks and shoes. As soon as Sam got these items he wanted to put them on immediately. Sam loves to help, and loves to laugh. He is a very special part of the Donohoe family, and we all love caring for him and enriching his life with our daily interactions with him. Sam loves the out doors, and loves to walk in the woods or by a mountain stream. Sam would love to thank all those who donated gifts to ensure that not only he had a great Christmas, but others company wide had one as wonderful as his.
Dominic: A Reunion Story
Dominic, a vital man in his sixties, moved into one of Albertina Kerr Centers' group homes in Portland, Oregon, in 1999. He has a seizure disorder and mental retardation. He lives in his home with two housemates and enjoys a rich life within his community. His story is both tragic and triumphant.
At birth, he was turned over to the state system because of the severity of his disabilities and the inability of his family to provide care for him. Dominic spent the next sixty years living in institutions with very little initial family involvement and, ultimately, no family contact whatsoever.
When he moved into our group home from Fairview Training Center, the former state-run institution in Salem for individuals with developmental disabilities, the assumption was that his family had all either chosen to remain separated from him or had passed away. There was no record of family contact.
However, as it turns out, Dominic's niece, who works in the human services field, had been trying for years to find him. She finally succeeded and, on April 21, 2001, after twenty-five years of separation, he was reunited with his family. His niece, brother, and nephew - who, it turns out, lives just a few blocks from his uncle - finally came to visit Dominic.
It is difficult to capture in words the emotion and sentiment that filled the reunion day. It was a deeply heartwarming time for catching up, looking at pictures, playing ball, showing art work, and sitting in the warm spring sun. It opened a new chapter in the lives of everyone who was present. Dominic now has a brother, nephew, sister-in-law, and niece to call his own.
Candy: A Story of Coping and Growing
Candy, a talented forty-eight-year-old woman, lives in one of Albertina Kerr Centers' group homes in Milwaukie, Oregon. She has an extremely severe seizure disorder and mental retardation. Earlier in her life, she lived in and out of institutions. At the age of twenty-one, Candy got married, and now has a grown son and is the doting grandmother of a young boy.
After two and a half decades of marriage, Candy's husband died. She moved into our group home, because her husband was her caregiver and she is unable to live on her own. The dedicated AKC staff, who now care of Candy, have guided her through the process of mourning. They also nurture and support her in continuing to enjoy her many interests, hobbies, and relationships outside of the home.
Candy is a musician. She took piano lessons as a child and has always enjoyed playing music. Because of the generous donation of a beautiful piano by an Albertina Kerr Centers' board member, Candy began playing again - for the first time - on her very own piano! This has truly enriched her life and brought music into the lives of her four housemates!
Candy's uplifting story is one of triumph over adversity, and Kerr is delighted to have played a role in helping Candy cope and grow.