Over the past several months, we all have witnessed abilities to adapt to ways of life never thought of as a possibility.
Imagine how the world has been turned upside down for the children and adults and families of those challenged by intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.
The people we care for have relied upon set routines and schedules as part of their daily lives. All of that changed in March when the Shelter In mandate began.
During the past months, once we got past the first month associated with the challenges brought on by the uncertainties and even fears for what the virus could do, I’ve had the chance to watch how the people we serve are proving to have as much resilience in dealing with these challenges as anyone. Not only is it rewarding, but it helps put in perspective how we all have abilities to adjust what we do when necessary.
Last week I was invited to participate in several of the daily Zoom meetings we hold for our adults who have been unable to return to their day program settings. The friendships through activities that have been made at our facilities through day-to-day times together have been changed to looking at one another on a screen full of people smiling and participating in group activities.
It was great to see so many people enjoying being with one another, even though being together has taken on a new definition given today it only means being on the same screen. It was clear that the people we served have adapted and were doing well. This is a tribute to their abilities to overcome a new challenge, something they have been doing for years.
When I had the privilege of speaking to the group, several people asked when we would be able to go back to the old program and be together as a large group. I shared that we were working on it and expected that some things would begin to start in the next month and we would expand it as we went along. We would adapt and move forward provided we were able to keep everyone safe and healthy.
It struck me that what I was sharing with some of our adults we care for is really what is happening in so many other areas. We’re making incremental gains, monitoring how we do, and adapting as we navigate these times until some certainty can return. Certainty most likely is defined as when a vaccination is available and effectively implemented.
Until then, we ALL must continue to adapt. I’m pleased to share that at Little Friends, so far so good! I hope that you and your families are doing well, too!
