We’re fortunate to work with Gregory, a compassionate Host Home Provider who has more than 30 years’ experience and has been with Evergreen Service Providers since 2008. Gregory currently shares his home with Chuck and Dale who are living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). He has perfected the art of curating community connection activities for them that perfectly fit their interests and needs.
Chuck and Dale participate regularly in valuable IDD day programs which sometimes include activities such as trips to the Denver Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum. Rather than seeking out additional activities that are labeled specifically for IDD individuals, Gregory offers Chuck and Dale participation in mainstream activities, adapting them to meet their needs. And, maybe not so surprising, they have enthusiastically embraced them.
Their favorite activity is attending live theater productions. They not only enjoy watching the performances but love getting dressed up, going out, and are comfortable being around the crowds and stimuli that are associated with attending a theater production.
Gregory customized the theater experience for their needs by reserving a box several years ago – an adaptation that benefits other theater patrons as well. For Chuck and Dale, the box means they don’t have to get up and down if other patrons arrive late. In the box where seats are farther apart, they can comment or ask questions and stand up to stretch their legs without disturbing others. And with a few extra seats, they will sometimes invite friends or family to join them. They love hosting guests, know how to navigate the theater, and right where to go to find their box.
Chuck and Dale are also seasoned travelers. They recently returned from a month-long visit with friends in Puerto Vallarta. They were on the go, meeting
friends for dinner, attending shows, visiting local shops, walking along the beach, and enjoying a huge farmer’s market where they chose food to prepare at the condo where they stayed. Without a car, they did a lot of walking and occasionally hailed a taxi. According to Gregory, they clearly welcomed the opportunity to see a different country and culture.
Their other adventures have included:
- Visiting an ice sculpture exhibit
- Santa’s workshop
- Train ride to Glenwood Springs
- San Diego Zoo and Natural History Museum
- Ringling Brothers Circus in Sarasota, Florida
- Disneyland
Back at home, they don’t slow down. Here are other activities they enjoy:
- Movies at the theater
- Going out to dinner or breakfast
- Shopping at ARC Thrift Store on weekends
- Spending time at a cabin near Idaho Springs where they gather pinecones and go to a nearby creek to pan for gold
- Tending to plants like garlic, onions, and Swiss chard in their mini greenhouse
- Yard work
- Visiting the local farmer’s market to choose food for their meals
- Cooking – including for visitors (They hosted friends for Easter dinner, including a previous client of Gregory’s who now lives mostly on his own, and they spent the morning coloring eggs.)
There is a household focus on health that includes a primarily plant-based diet, homemade granola, and guidance from a functional medicine doctor. Their three dachshunds and cat also enjoy a healthy, homemade diet. Chuck and Dale are absolutely attached to them and love to help care for them, including feeding, watering, and sometimes sharing a nap.
Many of their activities, including a morning routine, help provide them with structure – not just something they need but that they like. It helps them thrive and function in ways that build confidence and self-esteem, as does their exposure to all kinds of experiences and the diverse people who are part of those experiences – a demonstration of the value of well-chosen community connection activities.
Gregory seems to thrive as well. He speaks of Chuck and Dale with pride, respect, and deep compassion. His commitment to them and the enrichment of their lives is obvious.
He shared, “They are a part of my life, part of the family, and have very full lives. Everyone deserves to have the best quality of life they can and there is no reason for them to be excluded from that.” It’s this kind of thinking – and action – that makes a real difference in individual lives and makes this family amazing ambassadors for the IDD community.
