Over the years, Hattie
Larlham has touched many lives. Our dedication
to providing quality care has not gone unnoticed.
Below family members of individuals we serve
and professionals in the field of developmental
disabilities express their appreciation
for our services. If you have a story or
testimonial you'd like to share with Hattie
Larlham, please feel free to send an e-mail
to webmaster@hattielarlham.org.
Be sure to tell us your name and relationship
to Hattie Larlham.
"As an artist, I am
inspired. As an observer, I'm in awe of
their accomplishments. And as a collector,
I'm proud to have seized the opportunity.
The Creative Arts program provides a venue
for creativity, enlightenment, and exploration
to enrich the soul."
—Laura
L. Burns, Legend Financial Group, Ltd.
"I purchased the pottery
pieces because I enjoy the fact that they
are expressions of emotion from some of
your Creative Arts program participants.
I believe art is a powerful tool that
enables an honest expression of one’s
emotions and personality. With this being
said, I love having the pieces in my office
for visitors to see and inquire about–they
have turned into touchstones for some
of my visitors to “feel” the
hearts of your residents–while at
the same time learning about your good
work–really good stuff."
—Walter
K. Chapman, Chapman & Chapman, Inc.
"I am an artist, a
painter. When Rinnie was born the doctors
immediately told me she was blind. I was
totally devastated. I had so wanted to
share my artistic knowledge and joy with
my daughter and teach her to be an artist.
The fact that she couldn’t see seemed
to present an impossibility for that to
happen and as time went on, we learned
that she was also profoundly retarded
with virtually no motor skills. The dream
of my artist daughter was a dream that
I could not see coming true.
As Rinnie became a teenager, her teachers
identified a new interest of hers. To
my astonishment, she was doing art projects
in school with paint, markers and her
own, unassisted hands! She was clearly
overjoyed with her new found talent so
when Dennis Allen asked me if she might
like to participate in the new Hattie
Larlham Creative Arts program I immediately
signed her up.
Through working one on one with her trackers,
she has learned to better communicate
using expressions and vocal sounds—answering
questions, not only “yes or no,”
but actually making multiple choices.
Rinnie has completed and sold four paintings
to date, which in of itself is remarkable,
but better yet, she grins about it from
ear to ear... She is so much happier now
than ever. And so am I. A long lost dream
has now come true—my little girl
is an artist, too."
—joAnne
deHamel, Parent
"On a beautiful day
last week I hopped into my car and drove
to Mantua, Ohio, about two hours away,
to visit Hattie Larlham, the new workplace
of my friend, Ingrid Kanics, an occupational
therapist. I was not prepared for my emotional
reaction to this astounding multi-dimensional
operation serving more than 1,000 children
and adults with severe disabilities."
—Patty
Lemer, Executive Director, DDR
read
the DDR blog
"A few weeks ago,
my wife Laura and I decided to share a
long weekend at Geauga Lake Park with
our daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons.
After two very longdays of fun and rides,
we were headed home on Monday. But we
decided to visit the Foundation and Dick
and Hattie's gravesite. While we were
there, an old friend showed us around
the new construction, and then he suggested
we visit the café on our way home.
Our visit was a wonderful
trip back to my teenage and early college
years. Not only had I spent a fair number
of days and nights in Hudson, I had spent
many evenings in the drugstore itself.
I walked through the front door, and was
struck silent by my first sight of the
soda counter in more than 45 years. I
used to sit there and eat ice cream, drink
coffee, and read comics while my sister
took piano lessons. She was too young
to drive, so I would bring her, and go
to the drugstore while she had her lesson.
Then I would drive her home. And there
it was--perfectly restored! I was 19 again!
So there I stood, dumbstruck,
while my family pressed around me. Finally,
they got me moving again, and we found
seats, but we were soon moved into a different
room because of repairs going on in the
front room. We ordered tuna sandwiches.
They turned out to be absolutely the best
tuna sandwiches I'd ever eaten. They were
served graciously, the atmosphere was
most pleasant, and everyone was very nice
and so helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed
our time in your café, and I hope
to return soon.
Mom would've been pleased
and proud."
—Chuck
Larlham, son of Richard and Hattie Larlham
“People are there
[the HLCCD] to help you from day one.
Words can’t describe the overwhelming
sense of love you feel from the moment
you step through the doors.”
—Karen,
Lacey’s mother
“I had some insecurities
at first with sending Manny to school,
but since he went to CALICO, those insecurities
went out the door.”
—Kisha,
Manny’s mother
“I couldn’t
be happier with the care Jeff receives
at Hattie Larlham. I don’t have
one single bad thing to say about the
care Jeff receives. Not one.”
—Chris,
Jeff’s mother
“Our respite provider
became part of our family and she helped
us with our daughter’s increased
abilities in eating, walking, communication
and development. She even went with us
on family outings and a vacation.”
—Theresa,
mother
“When visiting,
I am continually impressed with the quality
of the Constant Companions staff and the
clean, healthy, safe and attractive environment
there. It is clear that all of the participants
are having excellent experiences and enjoying
life more fully, while they further their
personal aspirations and grow as individuals
and with friends.”
—Tom
Eamoe, executive director, Arc Hamilton
County
“I highly recommend
Kim and her staff. Their stimulating outings
to museums, movies, farms and conservatories,
plus the creative craft activities, pet
interactions and social opportunities
are great. All of this, set in a loving,
caring atmosphere has given my client
a wonderful quality of life that few in
her circumstances experience.”
—Rosemary
Raether, special education teacher
“Interacting with
the Hattie Larlham service coordinator
has been a pleasure. The early intervention
families and children are special, and
I know they will be treated just that
way when she is working with them.”
—Pamela
Snyder, Akron-based Coalition for Early
Intervention
“I would pray that
God would make our family whole, and that
is exactly what God and Hattie Larlham
have done for us.”
—Rebecca,
Sephora’s mother
“I needed
to do what was best for our whole family
and that is where Hattie Larlham provided
us with a light at the end of the tunnel.”
—Peggy,
Brittany’s mother
“Because of
Hattie Larlham we are able to go to work
and live our lives without worrying about
Gregory and his care 24-hours a day, seven
days a week. I know because he is at Hattie
Larlham he is getting the highest quality
of life possible.”
—Carole,
Gregory’s mother
“It was a lifesaver
for both Edda and us to have placement
at Hattie Larlham. Receiving care from
Hattie Larlham has changed her life and
ours dramatically.”
—Hildur,
Edda’s mother
