Together We Can Do Great Things

October 3, 2022

Having been best friends for 10 years, Braxton and James do most things together. They both live in Find-a-Way apartments. They travel together. They work out together at Fit For Life, LADD’s group exercise class. And, they go to the grocery, and cook healthy meals together. You might say they’re a model fitness team, but this wasn’t always the case.

Braxton wasn’t motivated to exercise. His relaxed easy-going style didn’t totally jive with the regimented structure of the gym. At the urging of Kristin, LADD’s Health and Wellness Coordinator, James asked Braxton to join him for workouts. From that moment on, everything changed. James made sure Braxton was at every fitness class, and Braxton gave James the courage he needed to try new things. Health and wellness is now an integral part of their lives. They are getting stronger and feeling healthy, and they couldn’t have done it without each other’s support.

Like Braxton and James, we are stronger together. Your support enables us to innovate and improve our services and supports so that we may better serve our community. As a result, we have created the following programs:

  • COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS provides opportunities for people to strengthen life and communication skills, build confidence through decision-making, and explore their own likes and dislikes. Experiences range from adventure trips, to cooking classes.
  • FOREVER HOME is a new model of community living for people with disabilities. It supports independent living that fully integrates into the community. LADD builds or remodels small clusters of homes located in desirable, walkable neighborhoods. Each home is equipped with technology that supports health, safety, and independence.
  • SMART LIVING is a new, innovative and more affordable way of delivering critical supports to adults with developmental disabilities. This lean and nimble staffing model utilizes smart technology, and a customized dashboard and app that integrates multiple users’ data. Your generosity ensures that Braxton and James have the support they need. When you give to our annual fundraising campaign, you ensure LADD’s life-changing work continues. With your help, we can build a more inclusive world, a world where every person can pursue their best life. Our community has proven that alone we can do so little, but with courage, community and connection we can do great things.

Your generosity ensures that Braxton and James have the support they need. When you give to our annual fundraising campaign, you ensure LADD’s life-changing work continues. With your help, we can build a more inclusive world, a world where every person can pursue their best life. Our community has proven that alone we can do so little, but with courage, community and connection we can do great things.

Here are a few other stories showing we are stronger together!

Two months ago, ANNE GERHARDT, JOSLIN MARTIN, and ISABEL GANZ moved into their new Smart Home in LADD’s Anderson Cluster. This is the first time these three women have lived away from their families. Isabel said, “I was hesitant and apprehensive at first, but once we moved in and I got to know my new housemates, it started to feel like home.”
MATHEW BENTLEY was nervous about hiking in Hocking Hills, and Old Man’s Cave was a bit more difficult than they imagined. Mathew would repeat “I’m scared” under his breath. But with the help of his DSP, Patrick Cost, he completed the entire hike. Everyone cheered him on, including other passersby. He was so happy and proud of himself after completing the journey.
PAM RYAN is a member of the Special Olympics Hamilton County bowling team. Pam is wheelchairbound, but with the support of adaptive equipment, and the friendship and compassion of her teammates, Pam has become an integral part of the team.

SUSIE PRIGAN and BETH LOHNER learned how to use Uber this year. This was a “huge, HUGE, accomplishment for being more independent and maintaining a job” according to LADD Coordinator, Cindy Flatt. Susie said learning to use Uber with Beth was, “scary at first, but with the help of LAAD Staff, we learned how to use the app, and it turns out that it’s easier than Metro and no more walking in the snow and rain!”

Sincerely,

Board President: Kush V. Kotecha
Board Chair: Robert M. Zimmerman
Chief Executive Office: Susan Brownknight

Share This Article
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn