Good evening to all, and I thank the Center for Humanistic Change for having me speak to you tonight.
I am very happy to be here this evening. I'm not a skilled speaker by any means, but I want to tell you just what the Center for Humanistic Change means to my sister, Gail, to me and to my family.
To describe my sister's life and what she means to us would take a lot more time than I have to speak. To make a long story short as they say, my sister Gail has lived in institutions since the age of eight. The institutional care provided her during her next 30 some odd years was absolutely horrible. Most of the time, she endured the most horrible living conditions and was placed in the most undesirable situations. Fear was in our hearts each and every day, and we suffered through those terrible times, as Gail did. The only way we got through those desperate times was our love for Gail and our faith in God. God saved the best for last, though. The day I got the call from Laurie Colonno was the day that changed all our lives.
Miracle is a word that has a very deep meaning to me. It's a word you don't use lightly when referring to events or happenings during one's lifetime. I've experienced several miracles during my lifetime which included the birth of my children. But one miracle that has made such a difference in my life, especially in my sister's life, is the miracle that my sister was one of three people chosen by CHC out of many, many applications presented to them, to be placed in a group home in Stillwater, New Jersey. Miracle describes the care and lifestyle my sister is now getting through CHC. Miracle describes my sister's happiness she enjoys each and every day of her life because of CHC. Miracle describes my sister's joy in performing her job that she obtained because of CHC. And because of this miracle, life for my sister has blossomed into a normalcy which she hasn't had since she was eight years old living at home. Our constant concern for her welfare during those stressful institutional years is finally gone.
"Normal" is a word that describes the lifestyle that CHC has provided for Gail, as well as for all the people under their care. Gail lives life to the fullest now and thoroughly enjoys all the amenities given to her. It's so plain to see her happiness in all she does and in everything she says. Even though she thoroughly enjoys being with us for holidays, barbecues and shopping sprees, she is always anxious to get to her "house" as we turn the bend on Stillwater Road and she sees the white house in sight.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone at CHC. I want to thank all the caregivers in the Stillwater group home. These people are wonderful people who Gail loves and with whom we have become very close. The running of any household is a tedious task, and these people keep it running smoothly and are the most important part of the group home. Through their care and love, they make it truly a home to Gail, Doug, Beverly and Fred.
Last, but not least, I want to personally thank Mr. And Mrs. Bradford for their kind and loving donation of this home to house their loving son, Doug, along with three of his dearest friends; Gail, Beverly and Fred. Without the Bradford's generosity, I would not be here speaking to all of you today.
Again, thank you CHC for all your caring, your compassion, your understanding, your dedication, your help and most of all the love you give to all your "special" people who are under your care. This is one of the miracles in my life-I thank God for it each and every day.