by Linda Buchalo
This past year has given me much time to think about a lot of things, among them how truly blessed I am to have found a home for my son Andy at Misericordia. I’ve also thought a lot about the past, including life before Mis, with school staffings and services from other organizations. As I ponder these memories, I think how much better life is for Andy now, despite the pandemic and all its restrictions.
I’ve come to appreciate even more how different Misericordia is from many other organizations that offer services for people with disabilities. And other parents have shared with me how pleasantly surprised they were in making the transition to life at Misericordia.
As I think back to the days of Andy being in school, I remember good times, but I also remember the torture of staffings—my husband and I facing a panel of “experts” who listed all the areas where our child was deficient. I always walked away feeling sad that no one appreciated my son’s abilities.
June 1, 2021
Community Day Services (CDS) is in an ongoing state of transformation, working in tandem with the administrative and executive team to insure consistent application of the latest COVID guidance. Together with campus leadership, CDS is committed to continue to expand resident day service opportunities, with both safety and quality at the forefront of decision making.
The spring outbreaks and subsequent mitigation steps slowed the opening progress CDS has begun. Fortunately, CDS had an established in-residence CDS program in place that continued to provide CDS opportunities - every resident not yet returned to in-program services has a dedicated CDS staff available to them Monday through Friday in their residence. CDS measures have limited the number of residents that can be served safely in programs, with residents returning by cohort groups for their safety.
by Linda Buchalo
As part of our series covering the Misericordia Executive Team, this article highlights Lois Catinella Gates, who is celebrating her 50th year as a staff member at Misericordia Home.
In 1970, Lois volunteered at Misericordia while waiting for her acceptance as a stewardess. When called to follow her originally chosen profession, she declined and chose to remain at Misericordia, thus beginning her life-long love affair for Sister Rosemary and the residents. She officially became a staff member in 1971.
One of the reasons Misericordia is near and dear to Lois is that her brother Fred lived there for 16 years before he passed away in 2001. Lois is forever grateful to Sister Rosemary and the staff who nurtured, cared for, and loved Fred, and provided him with a life of dignity. Fred often told her “Sis, Misericordia is Heaven on Earth!”
By Julie Carpenter
Misericordia celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2021 with the venerable Sister Rosemary Connelly also recognized for her decades of leadership and compassion, serving the Misericordia community as Executive Director for more than 50 years!
Looking back on this past year, it is possible that this was likely one of the most challenging years to date in Misericordia’s history. As we round the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, we join Sister in her gratitude for the miracle of a life-saving vaccine, and her prayers for the promise of a new beginning and the return of the “ordinary” day.
by Ernie Stark
Assistant Executive Director for Residents and Programs, Mary Pat O’Brien, is a person for whom family is paramount. Born in Evanston and raised in an Irish Catholic family, Mary Pat cherishes her relationships with her two brothers, two sisters, and their spouses and children. With eleven nieces and nephews, along with five great nieces and nephews, Mary Pat’s personal life is enriched by the familial love she gives and receives.
Early in her life, Mary Pat’s family moved and settled in LaGrange. Here Mary Pat attended St. Cletus Elementary School and Nazareth Academy during her high school years. She went to Bradley University in Peoria where she majored in Psychology. During her collegiate years, her future plans included early childhood care or childhood intervention care.
by Therese Burke
The Misericordia Women’s League’s annual Heart of Gold benefit may have looked a bit different this year, but the fun and enthusiasm was felt across the country.
With over 300 supporters tuning in all the way from New York to California, the virtual event, A Night at the Races, was a huge success, raising $725,000.
The evening featured celebrity drop-ins from actress and Chicago native Jane Lynch, Chicago athletes Connor Murphy and Jim Thome, local broadcast stars and even more special guests sharing their love for Misericordia.
Year after year, a dedicated team of charity runners supports Misericordia in ways that few others could ever imagine doing – running 26.2 miles through the streets and neighborhoods of Chicago to raise much-needed funds that benefit our children and adult residents.
From first-time marathoners to seasoned runners, each Misericordia Heartracer team member commits to raising between $1,250 and $1,750, depending on the date they register for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. This year the event is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 10, pending Covid-19 restrictions.
by Scott M. Mendel
With a new administration in Washington, D.C., a number of legislative proposals are before Congress that could adversely affect Misericordia. There is also a new regulatory initiative in Springfield that can be detrimental to Misericordia’s future plans. Below is a brief summary of these federal and state initiatives. I am always happy to provide additional information or answer any questions. The best way to reach me is at scott.mendel@klgatescom.
by Ernie Stark
One of the areas of administrative responsibility of Associate Executive Director Father Jack Clair is campus security. Recently, I asked Father Jack about how Misericordia keeps staff and residents safe.
Over the past few years, many things have changed. Some are best kept confidential. Others are quite visible: Locked doors are now the rule throughout the campus not only on all residences, but the Ridge entrance, to areas beyond the Greenhouse Inn, business office and laundry. Elevator access requires ID activation. To enable staff to lock down areas if needed, many doors required new locks to be installed. Bullet proof glass has been installed at public entrances.
Dear TFC Members:
Senators Hassan, Casey, and Brown, and Representative Dingell, have circulated a draft bill called the Home and Community-Based Services Access Act (the “HAA”). They have asked members of the public to provide comments on the HAA. It is critically important that each of you send in your own comments on this proposed legislation.
The HAA is being portrayed as legislation that will help individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, the way it is drafted, it will have a devastating effect on the men and women with the most significant intellectual disabilities. The bill would end any requirement that states provide the services of intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (“ICF/IIDs”). It would also create a strong financial incentive for all states to close all ICF/IIDs, both state operated and private. 70,000 men and women across the country have chosen to live in ICF/IIDs because they have found that these settings best meet their needs and preferences. All of these men and women would be forced to leave their chosen homes.
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