It felt a lot like the banquet before prom - but with more excitement and fewer high-heeled shoes.
The annual Elizabeth Richardson Center Awards Banquet March 8 handed out 125 participation certificates and awards for most improved, spirit, “sunshine” and client of the year. The recipients, who ranged in age from their early 20s to their mid-60s, all seemed thrilled with the honors, many of which were decided by vote of their peers.
The banquet also helped celebrate the Richardson Center’s 50 years of serving clients with disabilities in Northwest Arkansas - a mission that has changed the lives of thousands of families.
One of those receiving a certificate was my beautiful daughter, the Little Queen, who has lived at one of the three Richardson Center group homes since November of 2011. She was mostly bored and not especially thrilled with the menu of barbecued beef, pork and chicken with coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad - which was delicious, by the way.
Of course, her attitude changed when her name was called, and everyone applauded. She understands completely when she’s the center of attention, and it’s one of her favorite places to be.
Trusting the greatest love and light of your life to live anywhere but with her parents is not an easy decision. But Dan - her dad, for those of you new to this story - and I knew from the moment we adopted her that eventually she would leave home. It’s what kids are supposed to do, and kids like Amanda need to do it, too. Otherwise, you’re an 80-year-old mom with a 55-year-old “child” who still needs help toileting, bathing and fixing breakfast. It’s just not a workable plan.
The opportunity for Amanda to move into one of the only residential facilities in Northwest Arkansas dropped in our laps about the time Dan needed back surgery and Larry, my late husband, was coming out ofcancer surgery. The timing was perfect. The reality felt like evicting my baby.
I’m pretty sure it felt that way to her, too. Why would Mom and Dad take you to live somewhere other than home - a place with new rules, new people and a lot less junk food? Bad! Wrong!
Unacceptable!
In truth, she adjusted well, and over time, her dorm mates and staff have become part of her - and my - family. I watched one of the older ladies who lives in Amanda’s house reach over and take the hand of a younger client Friday evening to calm her - and later had the same older client ask (without words) for me to accompany her fora photo.
Of course, the clients who do talk and work at the vocational training center, the ones who live in their own apartments and have boyfriends, had the most fun Friday evening. They cheered each other on as awards for the three ERC softball teams were announced, they teased each other and the staff, and theysimply enjoyed having a night out on the town - just like prom - just like anybody else.
It is not correct to call them “kids,” but it is certainly accurate to say they enjoy life the way kids do.
And really, isn’t that what we all want?
Becca Martin-Brown is an awardwinning columnist and Features editor for NWA Media.
AT A GLANCE Elizabeth Richardson Center Awards Banquet
Winning awards Friday night were:
Richardson Industries: Honored for their work at the ERC vocational
training center were Tamara Trujillo and Carla Hay, clients of the year;
Tera Murphy, Sunshine Award; and Jeremy Minchew, most improved.
Life Skills: Honored for their participation in the life-skills learning cen
ter were Joe Walker and Willie Popejoy, clients of the year; Chaz Lloyd,
Sunshine Award; Nikki Groot, most improved.
Softball Awards:
Dragons: Mark Inglet, most valuable player; Stephannie Dodson-Hayes,
most improved; Kimberly Summers, Spirit Award.
Hurricanes: Blake Bradshaw, MVP; Taylor Dark, most improved; and
Jeremy Minchew, Spirit Award.
Blue Jays: Travis Helm, MVP; Victoria Rhyne, most improved; and
Michael Ferrell, Spirit Award.
The next event celebrating the Richardson Center’s 50th birthday is the
Heart of Gold Banquet at 6 p.m. April 18 at Mermaids Restaurant in Fay
etteville. Find out more by calling Kate Lunsford at 872-1800, ext. 209.
Northwest Profile, Pages 40 on 03/17/2013