Steve struggled during the isolation of the pandemic. According to his sister, Linda, who lives with Steve, he is usually very outgoing and social. But during the height of the pandemic, Linda says, “Steve became very withdrawn, because we had to be alone. I’m at high risk and we couldn’t risk one of us getting sick.” Linda became very concerned, “I had to watch him for depression. We tried to get out for long drives, just to get out of the house. But I could see him slipping and knew it wasn’t good.” Now that the Gathering Place is back open, Steve is a different person. He’s outgoing, happy, filled with excitement for upcoming events and activities. “I’m going to be Santa Claus!” Steve happily exclaims, “so I can’t cut my beard yet.”
Linda feels just as fortunate as Steve: “I benefit as much from The Gathering Place as Steve does. Because seeing him happy means the world to me. And now, I have time to do everything I want to do.”
The Gathering Place is as much about the participants who come each day, as it is about the caregivers who are freed to go to work and do everything they need to during the day. “It gives me the peace of mind that Steve is safe.” Linda explains why The Gathering Place means so much: “For the past 68 years, the world has taken one look at Steve and said, ‘He can’t do anything because he’s different.’ But the people at The Gathering Place don’t pre-judge. They accept people for who they are and where they are. And they pull them higher.”
Steve has a disability, but that doesn’t mean anything to him. What matters to Steve is he loves creating things, decorating inside and out, playing bingo, going for walks, laughing and enjoying time with anyone who gets to know him. At The Gathering Place we believe everyone deserves to have a wonderful day. Your support helps Steve and others have many, wonderful days.
