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• Christopher
• Dawn
• Jim
• Jimmer
• Karen
• Shawn
• Stephen
• Tony
• Employee Testimonials
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• Frequently Asked Questions

Karen

As told by her sister, Barbara

On August 29, 1977, life changed for 21 year-old Karen and our family. A car accident left Karen in a coma for over a year, and life over the next few years for Karen existed in limbo in a variety of hospitals and nursing homes. Physically, Karen improved; she learned to walk with a walker, regained her speaking skills and her sense of humor. She always asked, "When will I go home?" when we visited her. Finally, in May of 1981 (and in, fact "Finally!" was printed on the sign that greeted her when she came home!), Karen was able to move-in with my mother, Rosalie, and stepfather, Frank, with daily visits from my father, Henry. Karen was well-loved and cared for by family and home health aides for many years. When my father retired, Karen moved across town to live with him. This time, Mom and Frank visited frequently, often playing Scrabble or cards. October 29, 1990, life changed again for Karen and our family. While driving Karen to her favorite haunt, the local Dunkin' Donuts, my father suffered a coronary heart attack and died behind the wheel. As his car careened across three lawns, Karen valiantly tried to steer clear of obstructions, before the car was stopped by the side of a house. Karen once again suffered injuries but, this time, the most serious injury was a broken ankle. For many years my father, Henry, was a board member for the Connecticut Traumatic Brain Injury Association and he lobbied for programs for the brain injured in Connecticut. In the months before he died, we discussed options for Karen in case of his death or the inability of my mother to care for Karen. Ability Beyond Disability (formerly Datahr) was mentioned as a model for the type of living arrangement we would want for Karen. In January, 2001, Karen joined the Ability Beyond Disability family, eventually becoming a member of the Saw Mill home. Karen has lived a full and rewarding life at Saw Mill, with all the resources, relationships, and opportunities that Ability Beyond Disability provides. It is through the organization that Karen has opportunities to be an active citizen in the community (i.e. eagerly attending Toastmasters meetings or participating in Special Olympics bowling). Her group home is truly home for her, with friends and caregivers that have allowed her to become an adult capable of making choices and contributing to her own care. My family, especially my 82-year-old mother, is very grateful for the superb care that Karen receives at the Saw Mill group home in New Fairfield. We are also thankful that the staff worked so hard to integrate Karen back to Saw Mill when she had a rough stretch of medical issues last winter. Now back at Saw Mill, Karen's medical problems have stabilized, and I am proud to say that she is living a full, productive life. Words cannot express my gratitude and the praise I offer to both the staff at Saw Mill and Ability Beyond Disability in general.