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Seeing the ocean for the first time, friends (from left) Michaela Anderson, Brenda Lee and Mandy Gave walk in the sand at Virginia Beach.
Animal lovers Mandy Gave (left) and Brenda Lee spend time at a petting zoo during their Virginia Beach visit. |
The smell of salt water and suntan lotion. Gritty sand on bare feet. Cold waves tickling toes. The sounds of laughter and splashing.
For three area women, these standard beach highlights were completely new.
The women--Brenda Lee, Mandy Gave and Michaela Anderson--have been friends for decades and have long dreamed of a girls' week at the beach.
But vacations play only a little part in their lives. The three friends all participate in the Rappahannock Community Services Board's supported-living program, which helps adults with intellectual disabilities live independently.
They live on a small amount of wages and disability checks. If they're careful with their income, the three can save up for a dinner out once or twice a month.
But this year, the community stepped up and gave these women the opportunity of a lifetime: a week at Virginia Beach, in a spacious vacation home.
In December, the women became part of The Free Lance-Star's Holiday Wishes feature. The series highlighted area residents with unique requests for the holidays.
Wishes included jobs for single moms, college money for a homeless teen and the friends' hope for a vacation.
After the women's story ran, about 10 people called to offer time shares or beach rentals for them and some RACSB case managers.
One of the agency's board members had a home at Virginia Beach that seemed perfect for the women. The friends and RACSB staff spent the last week of July at the house.
Others offered money for the trip, and some donated beach towels, sunscreen and battery-operated fans.
One RACSB employee filled donated beach bags with games, nail polish, personalized mugs, bubbles, sun visors and more.
"It was just such a nice effort on everybody's part," said case manager Regina Bostian. "The community just did the nicest things."
Supported-living supervisor Tracy Mahone searched for coupons and discounts, and the donated money allowed the women to do a different activity every day of the week.
They went to an aquarium, a petting zoo, a dinner movie theater and many stores.
The three friends said shopping was definitely the highlight of the trip.
Ordinarily, they pinch their pennies. But shortly after the December story ran, the three women started saving as much as they could. Anderson took on an extra job, watering gardens and plants.
Because the women usually don't splurge, they enjoyed getting to buy whatever they wanted during the trip.
They also walked on the beach every day. They were excited to see and feel the beach for the first time.
Weeks later, they say they still feel relaxed from the vacation.
Gave said she jumped right back into her routine of going to work every day.
But RACSB staff say they've noticed a difference in the women. They're a little more easygoing and cheerful.
And Anderson, who was very shy, came out of her shell during the beach trip. And stayed that way.
A vacation is important for people with intellectual disabilities, Mahone said.
"So they can have a life like ours," she said. "We look forward to that all year long, to that week or two weeks we get off of work, to do something different than our everyday routine, to regroup. They should have that, too."
She's already planning a repeat trip.
"Are we going to go again next year?" she asked the women.
"Oh, I like that idea," Lee said. "I like that a lot."
Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Email: aumble@freelancestar.com
A single mom received a job, and her teenage daughter got Christmas presents. A grandmother undergoing cancer treatments and unable to provide presents for her grandchildren received gifts for the whole family. A woman battling AIDS and depression found new friends. A homeless teen not only got help paying for college, but also found a surrogate family and a new place to stay.
Overwhelmingly, the participants said the best result was just learning that people cared.
