By: Lauren B. Zook
I often think about a tour I gave a few years ago to a local developer. Upon his arrival to the FLC house he was happily greeted by the Friends as soon as he got to the door. As we walked through the building, I explained how the Friends were thriving in the community. We discussed why the program was started — because four families were facing the fearful question, “What is going to happen after my child graduates high school?”
As we were walking around, the gentleman was very quiet and took it all in. Usually, I get questions about finances, cost, staff qualifications … but this tour was different. As we walked back upstairs from the art studio, he quietly turned to me and said, “You know, I never once thought about what happened to all the Friends in my high school after we graduated. I knew they were there; I saw them in the hallways … I went off to college, got married, started a career, and had a family, but not once did I think of the Friends and where they ended up.”
Imagine now that you are a parent of a Friend: You never stop thinking and planning for the future and how your child will “end up.” Your child will be dependent on care for the rest of their lives. But you know that at some point you, their parent, will not be able to provide that lifelong care and you begin to worry: Who is going to care for my child? How will they know they are loved? Who will they celebrate their birthday with? Who will they call when they are having a bad day? There are thousands of questions running through your mind on a daily basis from the moment your child is born.
Steve, Tristan’s dad, recently told us, “Since Tristan was born, I have worried and never stopped planning ahead for when I am no longer able to care for him anymore. When Tristan is at Friends Life Community, I don’t worry.” As a single parent, Steve is often alone in this fight. Steve cares for his aging mother, works a full-time job, and is the sole caregiver for Tristan. Friends Life Community has extended Steve’s capacity to support Tristan and multiply the opportunities he is able to provide to his son.
When Tristan came to FLC, he was nonverbal, but with the advocacy and support of staff, Tristan acquired a communication device and uses it to make decisions, ask questions, and give his opinion — to have a voice. Friends Life Community was able to provide Steve the guidance to set up this device and help teach Tristan to use it. This one enhancement has given Tristan the ability to advocate for himself, providing his father the peace of mind knowing that Tristan now has a voice others can hear, appreciate, and understand when his father is no longer able to care for him.
I love watching the video below of Tristan using his communication device to introduce himself at The Store. The talker has provided ways for Tristan to engage in the community and to be heard. To see his excitement and joy is priceless.
As the year comes to an end, I kindly ask you to support parents, like Steve, who depend on Friends Life to be the community their child needs. By giving to Friends Life Community, you provide the immeasurable gift that each parent wishes for — peace of mind. Knowing that the person they love most in this world is safe, cared for and valued, and will always have a place to belong when they can no longer care for their child, is something that every parent deserves.
Mona
Hi My name is Mona. I just want to share my experience with the world on how I got my love back and saved my marriage… I was married for 7 years with 4 kids and we lived happily until things started getting ugly and we had fights and arguments almost every time… it got worse at a point that he filed for divorce… I tried my best to make him change his mind & stay with me cause I loved him with all my heart and didn’t want to lose him but everything just didn’t work out… he moved out of the house and still went ahead to file for divorce… I pleaded and tried everything but still nothing worked. The breakthrough came when someone introduced me to this wonderful, great spell caster Dr Zuma, who eventually helped me out… I have never been a fan of things like this but just decided to try reluctantly cause I was desperate and left with no choice… He did special prayers and cast a love spell on him. Within 24hours he called me and was sorry for all the emotional trauma he had cost me, he moved back to the house and we continue to live happily, the kids are happy too and we are expecting our fourth child… I have introduced him to a lot of couples with relationship problems across the world and they have had good news… Just thought I should share my experience cause I strongly believe someone out there needs it… You can contact him on spiritualherbalisthealing@gmail.com