For roommates, new hobby creates purls of happiness

Posted on July 25, 2023August 7, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Knitting teacher watches her adult student knitting with pink yarn.

Knitting instructor Kristen McKenna and Destiny Hawkins start a new project.

Even before they picked up their first knitting needles or tugged at a skein of yarn, Destiny Hawkins and Peggy Bergados already were on track for success at their new hobby. “They have such motivation,” said Kristen McKenna, their knitting instructor. “These two are amazing.” McKenna, who regularly teaches through a craft-classes enterprise in Westerville …

Name change a joyful step in personal journey

Posted on July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Smiling woman in bright blue shirt, holding court documents for changing her name.

Even as a young child, Marcie wrestled with what felt like a terrible mismatch. Her clothes were wrong, her name was wrong, and she was certain she was supposed to be a sister, not a brother. “I just always knew,” she said. “I am not a male. I am female.” But as a person with …

Special Olympics volunteering a true family affair

Posted on July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Three women, one teen girl and two men who are all family gather together, smiling.

Coaching for the Flyers is all in the family for Ellen Lubbers (front); Anna Milligan, Charlie Milligan and Monica Wangler (L to R, second row); and Chris Lubbers and Chuck Milligan (L to R, back row).

To fulfill a requirement for her high-school service project, Monica Wangler hit on a way to combine community service with her love of sports. “I was a multi-sport athlete,” she said. “I thought, well, if I can do service and sports at the same time, I’m in.” Some 30 years later, she’s still all in …

ARC opens spacious new day facility in Grove City

Posted on June 6, 2023June 6, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

State DODD director Kim Hauck holding blue grand opening ribbon next to woman in wheelchair and county disabilities board Superintendent Jed Morison. Morison holding other end of ribbon.

A vacant call center in Grove City has been transformed into a bright, welcoming and barrier-free space for adults with developmental disabilities. ARC Industries recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new facility on Marlane Drive, which expects to provide active treatment and community-based services for about 75 people. A majority will be residents of …

Goodwill Columbus, Harmony Project team up for collaborative performance

Posted on May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Smiling woman in white t-shirt with colorful birthday girl ribbon. She is sitting in a recording studio.

As she stood before an audience that had swelled to more than 400 people, Lattie Harrington realized she wasn’t feeling like her usual happy self. “I thought, ‘Uh-oh, what just happened? It got me,” she said. “I got stage fright. I cried a little bit.” But the tears didn’t linger, and Harrington soon felt happy …

Superintendent/CEO Jed Morison announces retirement

Posted on May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Picture of Jed Morison, wearing glasses and a dark suit

Jed Morison, Superintendent and CEO for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has announced that he will retire effective Dec. 31, 2023, following 54 years of public service. This is the full message he sent to staff and friends on May 15: After much consideration and now that the COVID public health emergency is …

National organization honors Boundless employee as Ohio DSP of the year

Posted on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Smiling woman wearing red glasses and gray shirt

Ask Hope Johnson to describe what she does, and her answer – Just about everything! – says a lot about the way she embraces her job as a direct-support professional. “We go out and integrate ourselves into the community,” Johnson said, smiling. “I tell people, if it’s somewhere I’d take my kids, family or friends, …

Families, providers invited to FCBDD Provider Fair

Posted on April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

For the first time since 2019, the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities is hosting an in-person provider fair to help connect people with disabilities and local disability-services providers. The annual event, which draws hundreds of families and providers, did not take place for the past three years due to the COVID pandemic. This year’s …

Perspective: DD Awareness and moving forward

Posted on March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 by FCBDD Communications

Photo portrait of smiling woman with glasses, red blouse and sweater

This past month was DD Awareness Month, and it is exciting to see how far things have come just since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. It’s even more exciting to see that, in many ways, we continue in a positive direction. I see us perched on the edge of …

Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities

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Author: FCBDD Communications