The
Mudry Family
The
home Lynn Mudry shares with her childhood friend Nancy Wilson is full
of life, and not just the human kind. Twin orphan lambs have been
paying weekend visits. There is a resident cat, and when Lynn's parents
Arthur and Hazel walk the three blocks from their home to Lynn's,
they bring along Nepal the dog.
"Our
concept was that it wasn't to be a group house, it was to be a home,"
Hazel explains. "Lynn and Nancy have attracted some wonderful people
to work with them." Kelly Zembik-Ansell, a previous care provider,
stayed for nine years. Lynn and Nancy attended her wedding and when
Kelly had her first child, Hazel says, "we encouraged her to come
back. We thought the home should be about family and the baby would
be part of the family." Nicola Von Rosen, who has also been with Lynn
and Nancy for years, is responsible for the lambs, another canine
visitor, and a cowboy who comes by occasionally.
Hazel
grew up as part of a large family in the same neighborhood where she
and Arthur still live, and so, as Arthur says, "Lynn has always had
a large family network around her, lots of familiarity and family
connections." She enjoys close relationships with both of her siblings,
their spouses and a growing number of nieces and nephews.
The
family became involved with PLAN soon after the organization began.
They had been through a difficult period and had determined to take
matters into their own hands, purchasing a home where Lynn could find
the stability and fulfillment that eluded her in other group situations.
A combination of events had impacted Hazel's health at that time,
requiring major surgery. "It was always in our mind that Lynn would
be with us," says Hazel. "We were strong and healthy. That was a shocker,
that we're not invincible, something can happen.
"
Says Arthur, "When your kids are at home they depend on you and you
can't imagine them coping without you. Now, there are days when Lynn
doesn't have time for us." Hazel adds that, "As we get older, we don't
realize we're getting slower and slower. On the weekend now, we like
to stay home in our garden instead of going out and doing things.
But in Lynn's house they are young and they are doing all these exciting
things."
Arthur
talks about how grateful the family is for the practical contributions
PLAN has made to Lynn's future security by helping ensure an appropriate
will, discretionary trust, estate plan and representation agreement
are in place. "With these essential tools to complement Lynn's support
network, we have peace of mind that Lynn can have a fulfilled life
both with us and without us," says Arthur. After 40 years of involvement
with the disabled community, something for which he thanks Lynn, Arthur
is excited about the changes PLAN is helping advocate. "I think we're
on the brink of a momentous change, where perhaps for the first time
families are going to have more control over their lives than they
have had before."
The
fulfillment Lynn has found is visible as she sits in her garden, chatting
with her parents. Hazel talks about the contagious joy Lynn shares,
the many friends Lynn has made and brought into their lives, and her
daughter's gift of humor. "The biggest gift," Arthur says, "is loving
Lynn - it's so easy to do."
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