For Debbie Carpenter, finding Abilities Enrichment Center for her daughter, Hannah, was an answer to a prayer.
“I had been looking for a new day program for Hannah, but hadn’t heard of Abilities. I found it purely by accident. I was sitting in slow-moving traffic on Engle Road when I saw the sign outside the building.”
She jotted down the name and looked it up later. “That’s when I learned of the affiliation with Blossom Hill, which of course I’d heard of. There’s even a Blossom Hill intermediate care facility across the street from Hannah’s old school.” She made an appointment for a tour.
Debbie had found Abilities early in its existence before its name was widely known. In fact, when Hannah started coming to Abilities, it had just six full-time staffers because enrollment hadn’t grown yet.
“I liked the idea that it was brand-new, that it was Blossom Hill’s first day program. I was greatly impressed by the Sensory Room and that there were options for daily outings, because Hannah loves being outside. Also, I have personally experienced great communication with staff over time since she started at AEC!” Debbie keeps a notebook in the small bag affixed to Hannah’s wheelchair where staff can write notes about Hannah’s daily activities.
Hannah is blind but she loves the sounds of nature and feeling the blowing wind on her face. She enjoys being wheeled around the walking path encircling the Blossom Hill greenhouse. Debbie and Hannah are also frequently outdoors when they are together.
“Hannah is the love of my life and we spend all our time together. I wouldn’t change that. When she is at Abilities, that is my time to run errands, see friends, and rejuvenate so I’m refreshed. If I’m going to leave my daughter somewhere every day, I need to have a high level of trust with the people who run that program. That’s what I have found with Abilities.”