Life after Springview is good for some
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Springfield, Ohio — S For at least three former Springview Developmental Center residents, the move out of the institution that closed in 2005 encouraged independence and freedom, caregivers said.
The closing of Springview, a state-run facility for citizens with significant developmental disabilities, forced 84 residents to find other homes, said Jennifer Rousculp, assistant superintendent at the Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Extras
However, the situation ended well for Mary, 44, John, 54, and Kathy, 52, who all now live in a home on Tavenner street built by Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center students last year, said Kesha Tuttle, Choices In Community Living, Inc. program director.
The four-bedroom, wheelchair-accessible home is identical to the one showcased at an open house Wednesday, May 14.
"The biggest difference is the one-on-one attention," Tuttle explained. "The individualized attention was a change."
Penny Godfrey, program administrator agreed.
"Their quality of life has changed," she said, adding that the residents can go grocery shoppingand their schedules are not as strict as when they were in Springview.
Rather than the small rooms at Springview, Mary, John and Kathy enjoy spacious rooms with their own personal touches, a living room with plants and pictures and a kitchen that they sit down to eat in, Tuttle said.
"This is just really life-changing for them," she added.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.
