Success Story: Edith Burt
Edith Burt has lived with Ginny Bijjani for over five years, in a lovely country home in Taunton. Ginny’s role is “Home Provider” for Edith, in a special arrangement called “Shared Living.” The Arc of Northern Bristol County has offered Shared Living as one of our residential options since the early 1990’s. Currently, we serve ten individuals who live in community based shared living homes in the Greater Taunton / Attleboro Areas.
Edith and Ginny really enjoy living together. Edith also likes her housemate Nancy, who began living with Ginny and Edith about three years ago. Ginny finds being a home provider “very rewarding.” When Edith was asked what she likes best about living with Ginny, she says “the good meals, my nice room, our dog named Bently, he’s a Cocker Spaniel, and I like Ginny, too.” On Sundays, Edith looks forward to going out for coffee and visiting with her sister. This is arranged by her Arc support staff member, Nancy, who picks her up. During the weekdays, Edith socializes at the WISE Program in Taunton, which is offered by a senior program. There, she enjoys painting and crafts, and has many friends. She says she especially enjoys making things, like a lighted potpourri Christmas decoration that she made for Ginny.
At the beginning of June, Edith fell and broke her hip. It was unclear at that time whether Edith would even be able to return to her home. “I want to go home!” stated this 85 year old, very determined woman. After Edith’s hospitalization and surgery, she was sent to Wedgemere Rehabilitation Hospital in Taunton. “I’ve never seen anyone with such a drive...so much determination,” stated Ginny, upon seeing how hard Edith worked to come home. She practiced over and over to walk again. It was difficult at first, but she kept trying. Up and down the corridors; then, she practiced on stairs. Ginny and Nancy visited her and brought her tea. She worked very hard, and she healed faster than most people. “Usually it takes about three months to heal from this type of injury,” stated her stated Karen Fournier, her team supervisor. On August 6th, just two months after her injury, Edith came home!
“Everyone who has worked with Edith, or provided her with transportation during this challenging time, has fallen in love with her,” says Karen Fournier. It is no wonder that Edith has plenty of friends...she is such a wonderful person!
Congratulations, Edith, and Happy Birthday! (Edith turned 86 years young on October 7th!)
