Gordy C. finds his balance between work and life enrichment

Gordon “Gordy” C. is going on 27 years as a client at Merrick. He is part of the Alternative Services (AS) program and also spends time in Enhanced Services (ES) working on the MEDTOX contract. He chooses to divide his week between work and engaging in a variety of life enrichment activities like art, cooking horticulture therapy, outings, and playing video and board games. He enjoys being able to earn a wage that enables him to buy clothes, save for vacations, and go out to eat. Being able to combine work with life enrichment activities has been a great match for Gordy’s interests. 

Gordy became involved in self-advocacy over the past few years. He says about self-advocacy, “I love self-advocacy because it helps me be a better advocate---letting people know what I am thinking and feeling.” He has attended and presented at various self-advocacy workshops and conferences, participated in leadership trainings, and attended activities at the Minnesota State Capitol to raise awareness on disability issues. Gordy voted for the first time in 2008 and says it made him feel “real good.” He is also a Board member of ACT (Advocating Change Together) which makes him very proud. At Merrick, twice per year, he serves as a co-chair on the Advocacy Committee where he gets to share all the activities the self-advocates are involved with.

Gordy’s story illustrates the range of options available to adults with disabilities who choose Merrick and how individualizing our programs can produce better outcomes. ❖