After fifteen years of being a Shared Living Home Care Provider with The Arc of Opportunity, Ruth has a wealth of experience, caring for two men who have added much richness to her, and her husband Bernard’s, lives. Entering her home, one finds it always welcoming, warm, and filled with good energy. Ruth is an artist, with paintings and paper sculptures decorating the walls and stairways. She has a keen eye for color, texture, and shading. Attention to such subtleties extends to the care she shows to both Peter and “Mo”, the two gentlemen who share her home. Ruth listens deeply and patiently and has great respect for both men.
Ruth is able to navigate life’s ebbs and flows with a sharp, subtle wit. She never fails to impress with a kind word and a touch of humor. Her husband Bernard was an award winning swimmer and athlete, and they make an excellent team. Their paperwork documentation and follow-up are first-rate and they go the extra mile to accommodate community involvement and interactive relationships. Each year their backyard garden gets more productive, and Mo and Peter have been eating healthier as a result. Both men have their own plots and grow their preferred vegetables.
This year has had its share of medical challenges in Ruth’s household and, through it all, Ruth has maintained her buoyant outlook and quiet strength. She has spent countless hours with “her guys” at hospitals and rehabilitation, and with the aid of her interactions and encouragement, both men can look forward to a fulfilling and engaging 2016. Ruth is optimistic that the years ahead will offer plenty of opportunity for increased growth, connection, and independent living for the gentlemen she cares for. In recognition of her service, Ruth received the Shared Living Award from the DDS Regional Citizen's Advisory Board in April 2016. Congratulations Ruth, and thank you!