2023 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 2023 Page 33 Deany said this is a great job for the higher functioning clients because, they must sort their breakers, remember how many of each one goes into the kit, then count out those numbers and put the breakers in the correct order inside the kit. The kit is boxed and another worker seals the package and it goes into a bin to go back to Eaton at the end of the day. Deany said that the clients have the satisfaction of knowing that they are functioning, doing something productive and they are earning money. At the end of the building is the outdoor recreation area. Deany pointed out the bench that was referred to in the nomination. She said the clients had worked hard to gather what was needed and very much had enjoyed the satisfaction of a job well done when they got the bench back from recycling. Ross-Jones said that socialization is a very important part of the daily program at LCDR. She said that the goal is to keep the clients intellectually and physically active and to increase their ability to be a part of society. Some of the fun and wonderful experiences that came unexpectedly during the tour were the warmth of the clients and their outgoing personalities. Many approached the tour group with smiling faces, a hand to shake, a self-introduction and sometimes a show-andtell from the activity they were involved in at the moment. Deany explained that though most consider that the LCDR is for those with intellectual challenges, sometimes those challenges are accompanied by physical challenges and other health issues. There is a nurse who assists with seeing to it that prescribed medications are handled responsibly and that clients receive what is needed at the required time. There are also private areas for clients who need assistance with bathroom and personal hygiene functions. The trips that were referenced in the nomination were also discussed. Clients get to go some really great places. The are taken to the local parks for walking and enjoying nature, they go to the Lincoln Memorial Health Wellness Trail for walking, and they get to do really fun things like go to the zoo in Springfield or have a cook-out picnic to celebrate all the birthdays in the month. Transportation for the clients is via buses, and again the name Eaton Corporation was mentioned. Eaton made it possible for the LCDR to have a wheelchair bus for their day trips. The company has also donated I-pads for classroom use, a dishwasher for the life science room and a popcorn maker and popcorn for weekly treat for the clients. A Success Story – Amber Farmer Looking at the program from the outside, one can understand how all the work being done at the LCDR is designed to help intellectually challenged individuals live a happy and productive life but seeing it firsthand drives it home even more. Amber Farmer is well known in the Lincoln Community. She is active, loves to go places, is often seen in the community at events such as Third Friday’s Downtown, and has a good friend, Seth Goodman, whom she enjoys spending time with.
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