Tuesday, August 5, 2014

ConnectUS - Helping Severely Multiply Impaired Adults

Recently had the opportunity to speak with a remarkable woman named Eileen Whalen. She and her husband Tom, are the founders of ConnectUS, a non-profit organization established to provide quality day programming for severely multiply impaired (SXI) wheelchair-bound adults. Eileen is committed to expanding opportunities for SXI adults like her son Michael in a supportive and caring environment.  

The program, which operates in the Livonia, Northville and Plymouth, Michigan area,  hosts events in which impaired young adults, working with student interns and volunteers, produce things like book covers, felt hand puppets, dog treats and bird feeders. At one event, they even baked ginger cookies.

In a recent newspaper interview, Eileen talked about the organization's goals and her belief that "...everyone has something to offer and the needs of one can be an opportunity for another. Our goal," she explained, "is to make the connection happen.”

You can read the entire interview, learn more about ConnectUs and find out what you can do to help at the organization's website at http://connectus-livonia.org/ .

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