Lucy has severe epilepsy and cognitive impairments. Lucy is living her dreams!
She averages between 2-4 seizures each day and has too many other health issues to enumerate. Just staying vertical and reasonably healthy is a challenge for both Lucy and her family. Lucy’s flexible self-direction program has allowed her to pursue her interests while accommodating her health concerns.
SDS has allowed Lucy to develop her talents, make social connections and enjoy her life!! At age 35, she continues to add new skills and interests to her busy schedule. Because she has her own employees and flexible scheduling, Lucy changes her activities according to her needs and desires. Over the last seven years she has participated in swimming, wall climbing, taking courses at the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism, and volunteering at two preschools. Lucy is now a volunteer at the Retreat at Beckleysville where she does therapeutic riding twice a week. She belongs to Brick Bodies in Reisterstown and works out at least twice a week with her personal trainer. Lucy also climbs at Earth Treks climbing Center in Timonium when her health and overall health conditions permit. And prior to Covid-19 she did most of the family grocery shopping. Lucy took over the family laundry years ago because she was dissatisfied with the turnaround time. Through DDA’s SDS program Lucy has a mileage allowance and funding for two regular employees who work about 40 hours per week. Her family pays the fees for all of her activities. Although Lucy’s participation in SDS requires significant family involvement, we wouldn’t trade it for any other option.
Lucy’s family and physicians credit her many individualized fitness activities with maintaining her health and mental functioning. Her neurologist has often expressed admiration about her “great” level of functioning and her “remarkable quality of life.