It is a story that’s all too familiar. The pandemic had brought about unprecedented challenges for everyone in our communities. Yet, for us? Our Support Partners were the ones on the frontlines from day one. People we support and their families who all have had their share of challenges during the last 3 ½ years. But then on May 11th, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration.
As communities started recovering and restrictions were lifted it begged the question. How do we guide the people who we support back into their respective communities? Our hard working and dedicated Support Partners played a vital role in this process! The ones that were there from the very beginning of it all.
They rose to the occasion by finding ways to keep people we support engaged, during an unforgettable time in our lives. Support Partners understood at the time what lockdowns and restrictions meant. They took the lead by using our resource guides and exploring fun and safe ways to keep everyone engaged.
Fast forward to the present day and things are starting to feel normal once again. But, with that in mind, what does an everyday life look like now?
For some? It was being able to visit their local record stores and reconnect with connections made with employees. Being able to return to the gym and work out with their instructors once more. Re-visiting coffee shops, bowling alleys, and eating out in their local communities again. These simple, everyday actions made life feel normal again for some of the people we support.
Although we cannot count on COVID being gone, what we can count on is the Support Partners. Their willingness to be ready, willing, and able to assist those they support in living their best life no matter what that life looks like now.