A new year means new goals and a fresh start. For some at Echoing Hills, a new beginning provides the opportunity to continue working towards goals made previously. To start the new year, Katerine and Anthony have begun to develop new skills.
With dedication and excitement, Katerine and Anthony shared they are working towards walking again to gain independence, freedom, and strength. Marsha has been a Direct Support Professional for eleven years and Duke has been a DSP for three years. Together they have helped Anthony and Katerine for approximately seven months. Additionally, Mary Strain, Geraldine Holskey, and Kyndall Stocker from the third shift have also been helping Anthony and Katerine work toward their goals.
Marsha and Duke explain that their favorite part of working at Echoing Hills is helping individuals. Marsha explains, “I don’t look at them as having disabilities; they are the same as me, just in a different way.” Duke enjoys having a trusted relationship where they can tease one another and have fun together.
To achieve their goals, Anthony needs to build strength, and Katerine needs to work on concentration. During training, Katerine uses ankle weights, she is encouraged to focus and slow down. When Anthony is training, he is encouraged to slow down and keep looking up. He practices squats, leg lifts, sit-ups, and walking forward and backward.
Over the past months, the two have grown more confident as they increase their mobility.
Along with helping Anthony and Katerine walk again, Marsha and Duke have been working with them on other tasks. For example, helping Katerine clean her glasses and helping Anthony with coordination exercises.
Kyndall Stocker shares, “I’ve worked at Echoing Hills for a little over a year and have been a DSP since I started. Working with individuals is a way to help others and connect with them on a personal level. I give them physical support and am someone they can come to when they have an issue, or when they just want to talk.”
She continues, “I’ve been working with Anthony since I started in October of 2023, and Katerine came close to Thanksgiving of that same year. Anthony said he wanted to start walking again so he could eventually just use his walker to get around his home. When we heard this, Marsha initially asked if we could start walking with him on the third shift to get his strength and mobility back. Everyone on the third shift has jumped in to help him.”
Kyndall adds, “Katerine wanted to walk more after she had had some issues with being unstable, and we walked with her to help with the same thing. I can’t begin to explain how rewarding it is to see the individuals we support accomplish goals they have worked so hard to achieve.”
Echoing Hills provides individuals with a strong support system and resources to help them pursue their goals. We believe all people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities can live purposeful lives with dignity and respect. Echoing Hills assists people with disabilities to achieve their highest potential.
https://disabilityhorizons.com/2016/10/top-10-exercises-disabled-people/
