APSI client Lisa is known for two things: her art and her kindness. These qualities blend as she creates bespoke paintings and cards for the people she loves, for birthdays, holidays, or simply just because.
“If you tell her a birthday or anything like that she immediately wants to know, ‘what can I do to make your day more special?’ So, that just kind of puts a smile on everybody's face,” Lisa's APSI Protective Services Representative (PSR), Keshia Williams, said.
After meeting Keshia just once, Lisa painted a portrait of her. The painting now hangs in Keshia’s office as a constant reminder of why she advocates for her clients.
“But that right there, like I said, that did something to me, simply because we had only met once,” Keshia explained.
Whether she’s painting a portrait of her friend’s dog, or a sparkling landscape featuring her day program staff, Lisa is always thinking about others. At her day program, ARC Bixby Center, her work is displayed nearly everywhere: in the halls, in staff’s offices, and in activity rooms.
Soon, Lisa’s art will also adorn the walls of APSI’s central office; in celebration of our 40th anniversary we purchased a painting from Lisa. She gladly used the funds from the sale to buy new art supplies.
“She's always looking to create something for someone... It's just her thing,” Keshia said.
Keshia describes Lisa as a “natural leader” at Bixby, the Special Olympics, and throughout her whole life. At Bixby she uses her artistic know-how to help her peers during art activities and during the Special Olympics she pairs up with newcomers to show them the ropes.
“She's very outgoing. Easy to chat with and in my opinion just awesome to be around,” Keshia said.
Lisa has always supported others but struggled to advocate for herself in the past, until she met her prior PSR who encouraged her to voice her opinions with her team. And when Keshia became Lisa’s rep, she inspired Lisa to further grow in her self-advocacy.
“Lisa had a lot of struggling with advocating for herself. She just kind of by default... felt like decisions were made for her,” Keshia said. “She's very vocal now.”
Keshia made herself available for regular phone calls so Lisa could really get to know her. Often, Lisa would call just to check that Keshia was doing good.
“It's always for Lisa, about the other person. So, I always try to reassure her like, ‘I'm your person,'” Keshia said.
As Lisa advocated for herself more, she set and achieved some amazing goals. She wanted to learn water aerobics, so she joined a class at her local recreation center. She wanted to attend a concert, so she saw Barry Manilow live. She wanted to go on vacation, so she took a trip to Hersheypark and Philadelphia with her long-time roommate and home staff.
“I see her being more fulfilled in her personal life, because she's accomplishing things that she always kind of felt like she couldn't do,” Keshia said.
With the unwavering support of her staff and APSI reps, Lisa has built a fulfilling life of her own and APSI cannot wait to see what she does next!
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