Brandon: A New Face in the Neighborhood
Meeting Brandon for the first time in the cafeteria, he comes over to greet you, smiling, holding out his hand and saying, "Hi, I'm Brandon. Do you work here, too? What's your name?" He's so open and engaging, it's hard to imagine him any other way.
Yet, according to his mom, Kathy, before his recent transition to Cardinal Services, he was often sad and depressed. She explains that at their previous agency, Brandon isolated himself in his room and participated in very little - as they didn't have much to offer by way of activities. "He called constantly asking to come home, and would ask the same few questions over and over again."
However, since moving to a Cardinal group home earlier this year, Brandon has emerged to become a "social butterfly". Now, Brandon calls Kathy asking if she and his dad, Martin, mind that he doesn't come home on a weekend! "He still calls each evening to see how our day was," says Kathy, "but after a couple minutes he tells us he has to go because they are going to the library, or Wal-Mart, or the 'Y', or wherever they are off to - and he's read to go. Sometimes, he's so excited he doesn't even say good-bye!"
Kathy and Martin are clearly pleased with Brandon's transformation. They say their son is a new person and that they have never seen him so happy. On a recent weekend visit, even Brandon's sisters commented on the change. Yet, in reality, that change is not so much in Brandon. Rather, it is his new setting and staff that have made the difference by simply allowing the real Brandon to come into view. He's enjoying his life more fully, and it shows in his interest and excitement in each person he meets and every new experience.
As the "social butterfly", Brandon does like to keep a busy schedule. He especially enjoys swimming at the YMCA, where he says, "I like it there, because there's so much to do and so many people." And he's really looking forward to the Special Olympics bowling season. "I bowled when I was in high school and it was a lot of fun." No doubt, there are many great new memories awaiting Brandon in the coming months as he renews his affection for bowling and enjoys the company of others along the way.