This is a capstone project.
Working at Edwards Center Milwaukie (By Natalia Stoner)
THEIR MISSION:
"To enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them reach their highest potential through training, education, employment, housing and social opportunities in safe, healthy and stimulating environments."
"To enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them reach their highest potential through training, education, employment, housing and social opportunities in safe, healthy and stimulating environments."
ABOUT ME AND MY WORK:
My name is Natalia Stoner. I am a 25 year old senior bachelor in college. I am writing this page for my senior capstone that I have decided to undertake. The capstone is Effective Change Agent. I want to be hands on in my community, helping to better the lives of all individuals. For my senior project I decided to get involved at Edwards Center, by working at a day center which supports individuals who have developmental disabilities. My time spent at Edwards Center has been one of the highlights of my college career. It means so much to me to see the participants of the program. I have built strong relationships with so many individuals. It warms my heart to be such a huge part of these guys' daily lives.
My name is Natalia Stoner. I am a 25 year old senior bachelor in college. I am writing this page for my senior capstone that I have decided to undertake. The capstone is Effective Change Agent. I want to be hands on in my community, helping to better the lives of all individuals. For my senior project I decided to get involved at Edwards Center, by working at a day center which supports individuals who have developmental disabilities. My time spent at Edwards Center has been one of the highlights of my college career. It means so much to me to see the participants of the program. I have built strong relationships with so many individuals. It warms my heart to be such a huge part of these guys' daily lives.
EDWARDS CENTER INC. HISTORY:
In 1972, Edwards Center was founded by DR. Jean Edwards. "She visualized a place where adults with developmental disabilities could learn, interact and live - outside of the institutions that were the norm at the time. This realization came in part from wanting something more for her own childhood friend, David, who had Down syndrome. Dr. Edwards started small - with just six participants from Fairview Training Center and their families. This start was the beginning of turning her dream into a reality. Now, more than 40 years later, Edwards Center has grown to serve more than 350 adults with developmental disabilities in Washington and Clackamas Counties through employment services, recreation and housing in 19 (and counting!) group homes." (Edwards Center)
THEIR VISION:
"Our vision is where adults with developmental disabilities enjoy opportunities in all aspects of their lives, including housing, employment, community activities, quality health care and support, preserving their dignity & independence, while motivating, celebrating and connecting with family, and community across their lifespan." (Edwards Center)
In 1972, Edwards Center was founded by DR. Jean Edwards. "She visualized a place where adults with developmental disabilities could learn, interact and live - outside of the institutions that were the norm at the time. This realization came in part from wanting something more for her own childhood friend, David, who had Down syndrome. Dr. Edwards started small - with just six participants from Fairview Training Center and their families. This start was the beginning of turning her dream into a reality. Now, more than 40 years later, Edwards Center has grown to serve more than 350 adults with developmental disabilities in Washington and Clackamas Counties through employment services, recreation and housing in 19 (and counting!) group homes." (Edwards Center)
THEIR VISION:
"Our vision is where adults with developmental disabilities enjoy opportunities in all aspects of their lives, including housing, employment, community activities, quality health care and support, preserving their dignity & independence, while motivating, celebrating and connecting with family, and community across their lifespan." (Edwards Center)
MY ROLE:
At Edwards Center Milwaukie (ECM) I take on the role of a direct support professional (DSP). In that position I am hands on and face to face with clients at the day program and in the community. My personal mission is also to enhance the lives of these unique individuals by paying attention to their needs and helping them through their everyday life challenges. I am there as an emotional support, as well as physical. We have many clients who are wheelchair restricted and need assistance is most aspects of their lives. Others are much more independent and just need a listening ear and kind people to interact with. An average day at ECM is filled with emotion, laughter and smiles. At the beginning of the day we get some pots of coffee going, as we know our guys are about to come through the door asking for a cup. While pouring everyone their cups of that or tea, whichever they prefer, we work on current events and weather updates. At 10 am we begin our first two classes of the day. Whether its Karaoke, Arts and Crafts or History the participants really get into it. At 11 am we have first lunch and at noon is second. We prepare lunches that are brought from home for each individual (except for on Thursdays we do Cooking Class!). Some guys need assistance in feeding, others may just need simple cues to slow it down. Overall, lunch is a very happy time. Around 10:30 am the first group of participants, accompanied by staff, leave the center to go on an outing. Outings can be a wide variety of places, sometimes we take them shopping or to the library, other times we go bowling or to see a movie. There are many places that we go to get out and about. On weekends we also have activities such as hikes, events, farmers markets, festivals, etc. that we offer for anyone to sign up for. Nevertheless, during the weekdays we try to stay out and busy, which is why around 2 o'clock we leave for our second outing of the day. Throughout the whole day we have classes happening in the classrooms at the center; there is always something to get involved in.
At Edwards Center Milwaukie (ECM) I take on the role of a direct support professional (DSP). In that position I am hands on and face to face with clients at the day program and in the community. My personal mission is also to enhance the lives of these unique individuals by paying attention to their needs and helping them through their everyday life challenges. I am there as an emotional support, as well as physical. We have many clients who are wheelchair restricted and need assistance is most aspects of their lives. Others are much more independent and just need a listening ear and kind people to interact with. An average day at ECM is filled with emotion, laughter and smiles. At the beginning of the day we get some pots of coffee going, as we know our guys are about to come through the door asking for a cup. While pouring everyone their cups of that or tea, whichever they prefer, we work on current events and weather updates. At 10 am we begin our first two classes of the day. Whether its Karaoke, Arts and Crafts or History the participants really get into it. At 11 am we have first lunch and at noon is second. We prepare lunches that are brought from home for each individual (except for on Thursdays we do Cooking Class!). Some guys need assistance in feeding, others may just need simple cues to slow it down. Overall, lunch is a very happy time. Around 10:30 am the first group of participants, accompanied by staff, leave the center to go on an outing. Outings can be a wide variety of places, sometimes we take them shopping or to the library, other times we go bowling or to see a movie. There are many places that we go to get out and about. On weekends we also have activities such as hikes, events, farmers markets, festivals, etc. that we offer for anyone to sign up for. Nevertheless, during the weekdays we try to stay out and busy, which is why around 2 o'clock we leave for our second outing of the day. Throughout the whole day we have classes happening in the classrooms at the center; there is always something to get involved in.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED...
There is so much to take away from my work at Edwards Center, I don't even know where to begin. I have learned how to properly assist someone when they have fallen, how to follow a med chart, how to use a hoyer lift, how to do CPR and how to track seizures and give oxygen. I have learned how to interact with individuals that think differently than I do, and what it is like for them to not understand the difference. I have learned that every person has a burning desire to have interaction with other people, no matter how capable they are. Most importantly to me, I have gotten to know most of these clients on a personal level. I learned that these individuals, just like everyone else, just want to be seen and heard for who they truly are. I learned so much about specific lives of the people I care for.
Before I took on the role of a DSP, I did not understand what it was like to be close to someone with a developmental disability. When I first walked in the doors at ECM I felt scared. Scared of what I didn't know about these people, scared I would hurt them, scared that they were too fragile to be normal around and scared that they wouldn't accept me. These guys know first hand what it is like to not be accepted, so I was dead wrong to accuse them of not allowing me to be myself. Through this experience I found the me in my heart that I was missing. The me that I wanted to be, but didn't know where to look.
My life has changed in many ways throughout my time with Edwards Center, but my biggest reward is knowing that when I walk though that front door of ECM there will be friendly faces waiting on t he inside to greet me and brighten my day. At that moment, all I want to do is give back. Give back a smile, a laugh, a gesture, a "hello". From that very first moment walking through that door, I feel right where I belong. It is so much like a family environment, where everyone is just comfortable being themselves and it is the best part about each person. Both, participants and staff, are so incredibly fun and uplifting to be around. It's like we were meant to be there; together. My experience has been incredibly breathtaking and beautiful.
There is so much to take away from my work at Edwards Center, I don't even know where to begin. I have learned how to properly assist someone when they have fallen, how to follow a med chart, how to use a hoyer lift, how to do CPR and how to track seizures and give oxygen. I have learned how to interact with individuals that think differently than I do, and what it is like for them to not understand the difference. I have learned that every person has a burning desire to have interaction with other people, no matter how capable they are. Most importantly to me, I have gotten to know most of these clients on a personal level. I learned that these individuals, just like everyone else, just want to be seen and heard for who they truly are. I learned so much about specific lives of the people I care for.
Before I took on the role of a DSP, I did not understand what it was like to be close to someone with a developmental disability. When I first walked in the doors at ECM I felt scared. Scared of what I didn't know about these people, scared I would hurt them, scared that they were too fragile to be normal around and scared that they wouldn't accept me. These guys know first hand what it is like to not be accepted, so I was dead wrong to accuse them of not allowing me to be myself. Through this experience I found the me in my heart that I was missing. The me that I wanted to be, but didn't know where to look.
My life has changed in many ways throughout my time with Edwards Center, but my biggest reward is knowing that when I walk though that front door of ECM there will be friendly faces waiting on t he inside to greet me and brighten my day. At that moment, all I want to do is give back. Give back a smile, a laugh, a gesture, a "hello". From that very first moment walking through that door, I feel right where I belong. It is so much like a family environment, where everyone is just comfortable being themselves and it is the best part about each person. Both, participants and staff, are so incredibly fun and uplifting to be around. It's like we were meant to be there; together. My experience has been incredibly breathtaking and beautiful.