Recreational Center for the Handicapped :: essays research papers

The Janet Pomeroy Center â€Å"The Recreational Center for the Handicapped† Descriptions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Janet Pomeroy Center†, also known as â€Å"The Recreational Center for the Handicapped† has been serving the residents of the San Francisco community for over 50 years. Founded by Janet Pomeroy on November 18, 1952 it has enriched the lives of over 17,000 individuals. It is a multi service center conveniently located off of Skyline Boulevard, over looking Lake Merced and directly behind the San Francisco Zoo. With a wide range of services offered, â€Å"The Janet Pomeroy Center† strives to provide recreation and vocational opportunities for the mentally and physically challenged, so as to create and instill independence, personal achievement, and a means for self expression for the disabled population. Having a variety in age from the youth to the elderly, RCH’s clients also have a wide range in the levels of physical and mental disability. They range from being mildly to severely mentally challenged. There are clients who can easily communicate verbally and others who rely on other methods to express themselves. These individuals also range in their physical disabilities. Some are in need of a wheelchair, where as others are able to easily get around. There are clients who violently have seizures, as well as those whose seizures are generally mild. â€Å"The Recreational Center for the Handicapped† is unique in the fact that it also provides services to those who have had a head trauma. In collaboration with St. Mary’s Hospital and the Department of Mental Health, RCH has started SF TBI NET, which stands for â€Å"San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Network.† Imagine the tremendous impact it must be living one moment able-bodied, then the next moment, disabled. Imagine the impact an event like this would have on your loved ones. The individuals who benefit from the program were once able-bodied like us, but because of a brain injury, they now need help relearning their motor skills and being able to function in daily life. SF TBI NET also recognizes the strain a traumatic event like this can have on the entire family and provides help and relief to its members. Rather than focusing on their weakness, the staff focuses on their client’s strengths. Through the different recreational activities and services this multi service center provides, the interests and talents these individuals have are further nurtured. For example, having access to art supplies and instruction is a great benefit to those clients who are interested in further developing their art skills.