The seasons The seasons - New England Village

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A new way of life 8 R etire, now it is your time to: E xperience all that life has to offer, T ake time to smell the roses, I nvestigate your hobbies, R evitalize your dreams, and, E mbark on a new way of life! – Catherine Pulsifer, author Today, 43% of New England Village (NEV) residents are over the age of 50. In ten years, we expect that 60% of the people living here will reach that milestone. As Laura Leventhal, Director of Staff Training and Development, pointed out in an article she wrote in December 2005, “This is the first time in history that a substantial portion of the population with developmental disabilities in the U.S. is living long enough to experience advanced age.” The Village has long been aware of the issues facing our aging population and established its first retirement program in the 1980s. Originally known as the Passport Program, The Living Center (TLC) functions in the same capacity today. Twenty people who have fully or partially retired from work participate in this program. But what does a retired lifestyle really look like at New England Village? It is as varied and unique as the individuals themselves. Activities for this age group are truly centered on an individual’s interests, energy level and desires. Some people are happier to go at a slower pace and not have their life so scheduled anymore. It can be relaxing and fulfilling to spend time at home doing the things you love - reading, sewing, writing letters or watching TV. Others crave the social interactions that are part and parcel of a group environment. Margaret “Margy” Watson is a perfect example of somebody whose personality has really blossomed since joining TLC full-time. Margy Watson is what some might refer to as a “social butterfly.” This engaging, kind-hearted woman’s favorite activities involve spending time with the people she cares about. Her circle of friends includes her housemates, fellow retirees, NEV staff and the folks who work at the local Dunkin’ Donuts; Margy enjoys nothing more than a good oldfashioned coffee klatch! In fact, according to Shirley Maher (TLC Support Staff), Margy’s endearing personality makes her the perfect ambassador for New England Village. And although going for coffee tops her list of favorite activities, she would never let it interfere with the other things she enjoys doing, like meeting with all her friends at TLC in the morning to discuss their respective plans for the day, taking THE LIVING CENTER AT NEW ENGLAND VILLAGE MISSION STATEMENT The Living Center is founded on the recognition that all of us have the need and the ability to find fulfillment in life. The ways in which we accomplish this are as varied, original, and miraculous as is each person. At The Living Center, staff and participants join together to discover each participant’s unique path towards self-expression and connection. Participants make choices, engage with others in planning and carrying out activities, become more aware of personal strengths and become increasingly autonomous as the agents of their own lives. a class through the Day Enrichment Program or watching a movie. Margy has recently also discovered a new passion - riding the exercise bike at the Sollar Wellness Center. For Margaret Watson and other TLC participants, life is now all about choices. There’s no right or wrong way to retire at New England Village, just the way that’s best for you. With the help of a supportive community, the retirement years promise to be a rich and fulfilling time in our residents’ lives. Upper left: Reynolds Smith. Bottom left: Margaret Watson and her niece, Catherine Noujaim.
asibling’sperspective Linda Braun’s sister Marjorie Abrams has lived at New England Village since 1973. I can still remember the night in 1968 or ‘69 when I attended an informational meeting with my mother about a place called Camphill Village. At the end of the meeting, a man whom I later learned was Leonard Sheingold, approached my mother and said, “If you like this concept, I have a better idea.” Shortly after that, my parents joined the Sheingolds, Kaitzes, Widermans and Binders in their shared vision of building a family-centered place, where adults with mental retardation would live in beautiful homes, work to the level they could, and enjoy recreational activities like anyone else. A place where the residents could live out their lives in dignity and their parents could die knowing their children were cared for. My sister Marjorie’s primary handicap is profound deafness, compounded by spasticity on her left side due to cerebral palsy and some level of mental retardation. She was educated in a manual school for the deaf (she could not learn orally) and stayed there through her twenties doing odd jobs. As the people she knew began to retire, it became obvious to my parents that something else was needed for the long term. New England Village was that something, and they threw themselves into its creation with all by Linda Braun “I wish Dad and Len Sheingold could have been there to see how happy Beth and Marjorie and all the others are,” reported my sister Barbara upon returning from a small 70th birthday celebration for my sister Marjorie Abrams, who has been a resident of the Village since shortly after it opened. “They knew,” said my husband Peter. “They lived long enough to see it grow and to see their daughters thrive.” the energy and drive they had. My mother helped to found the Women’s Committee. As the treasurer, my father raised money wherever he could. He and the others talked for hours each night discussing all aspects of the Village. The Village was opened and dedicated in 1972; Marjorie went to live there in 1973. While she resisted the change initially, she adjusted very well. Twenty or so years ago, she moved to Apartment 7, where she currently lives happily with her roommate, Donna Burke, and the other ladies in the apartment. Five years ago, she announced to us that she wanted to “retire.” She was tired and wanted to stop working. Her retirement program has been all that any senior could want. Each week she swims, attends a sewing group in the community, goes to art classes at the Living Center and spends a morning oneon-one with Day Enrichment Coordinator Dolores Tura. She jealously guards the rest of her time to do as she wishes. My father died in 1992; my mother in 2000. They left this world with peace in their hearts, knowing that their daughter Marjorie was loved and living life to the fullest in this remarkable place we call New England Village. Left: Marjorie Abrams. Right: “Joyful Tea Roses” by Reynolds Smith. 9
Page 1 and 2: The seasons of our lives. ANNUAL RE
Page 3 and 4: A message from our Chairman of the
Page 5 and 6: first impressions Camille Wells’
Page 7: inamother’swords Carole Sullivan
Page 11 and 12: looking ahead 2006 2006 promises to
Page 13 and 14: Beth Nagy & Carl Nagy- Koechlin Mel
Page 15 and 16: Making a difference Volunteers/Affi

The seasons The seasons - New England Village

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