The Respite Center
Love and care create
a viable alternative
for special children
helped a half dozen of. the
more severely handicapped
children bake cookies. “I like
Of The Print
this type of work,” \aid
“It takes a lot of energy to be
here, and you get a great deal Williams, “and fortunately, I’ve
of energy back from the-kids. ; been working in this field for so
They’ve got a lot to offer and I long, I know most of these kids
pretty well.”
just soak it up.”
Williams has a good, if small,
That is the way one
employee described the staff working with her. Pat
Clackamas Respite Center, a Riggs, Bob Ebberle and Susan
new and innovative program Pauli attend the kids’ needs. As
being offered on campus. The good with the youngsters as
Center is a bi-weekly recrea- these four are, the - need for
tional/educational facility that more help is obvious. “We’ve
“provides care for mentally and got a great need for volunteers.
phsyically handicapped We can’t grow here, and can’t
children from ages 1 to 18,” afford anymore staff people,”
explained Debbie Bennett, explained Williams. “This is a such a demanding profession, the altemating-^aturday pro
great program for nursing Pauli answered, “I’m from Col gram is 10.
handicapped specialist.
One young man, Moses,
orado. When I was there, I
Every other Saturday at 10 students.”
Bob Ebberle and Susan Pauli didn’t have much awareness of said he likes the Center. Moses
a m., parents from all over the
àrea bring their children to the are both past-employees of the ‘problem children.’ Wheh I is 13 years, talkative, and
Orchard Center. Some families Kerr Center for Handicapped moved out here, I becarhe bright. He will never walk. “I ,
come from as far away as Mt. Children. Ebberle has worked aware of it and...well, here K like it here. I’m usually in the
.recreational program, and it’s
Hood. The children are, for the for two years in this business. am.”
Pauli admitted that respite fun,” said Moses, “I have some
most part, seriously disabled. Why?
“I enjoy all kids. The day-' care is hard work but, “...I find friends from school here. Jason
Their handicaps include learn
ing disabilities, cerebral palsy cares I’ve worked in were with more frustration dealing with and I go to school together in
(mild cases and severe), normal, so to speak, kids. So the parents than with thé kids!” Portland^ But I like it here
Pauli, like Pat Riggs, is a stu best.”
general retardation and I’ve been in contact with all
The ovferall image the
dent of the College. Both are
behavioral problems. Some are sorts of kids most of my life.”
Ebberle is a tall man, with a taking “signing” (sign language Respite Center gives is that of
blind, some autistic.
Four instructors run the. full beard and indominable pa for the deaf) classes, as well as love. Williams and the others
rarely have a moment free
Respite Center. The guiding tience. Speaking of the college- general credit courses.
Pat has been a babysitter and without one of the children
force behind the operation is provided facility, he said, “This
Deborah Williams. She is a is a great deal better than the worked with children at the coming over for a huc^pr kiss.
nursing student at the College, place I did work. I feel the kids, Milwaukie Y.M.C.A. Said The kids get along with each
and studied educational all kids, should be exposed to •Riggs, “I like kids. They’re dif other, too. “I think the greatest
disabilities at CCC. Williams as much as possible, and these ferent from adults, even the thing about this place,” said Eb
worked with the Handicapped kids are. I like the opportunities ‘normal’ kids are. I get along berle, “is the social aspect.'
They get to work things out
Resource Center before there this place gives the kids. We let with them.”
As talented and loving as the between themselves, which
them choose what they’re do
was a Respite Center.
staff is, it’s the children who they don’t get at school or
On top of her background in ing, pretty much.”
Pauli, also has worked in make the Clackamas Respite other “centers.”
medicine and education,
Williams is obviously very
Williams’ forte is strength. other child care centers. When Center such a remarkable
While answering questions, she asked how she came to work in place. Maximum attendance at fond of the Respite Center. “I
By J. Dana Haynes
Page 4
don’t know any other programs
in the U.S. that’s a group-
respite program. And I’ve done
some research on the subject,”
said Williams.
“This is an extension of the
“In-house,” Tri-County Respite
Care project, but it’s différent.
We felt a group setting was
economical. Also, in a rural
area, we can reach more peo
ple. It’s not babysitting. We’ve
got activities, we feed them,
vetc.”
Thé College’s Handicapped
Resource Center funds the pro
ject, along with a $5 peK ses
sion fee for the parents.. The
Resource Center also provides
the Orchard Center, food, films
and play things, as well as
advertisements.
“Our one real need is
VOLUNTEERS!”
said
Williams, “The job takes so lit
tle time, and is so important.
I’ve been doing this since I was
16, and I enjoy it a lot. I learn
so much from the kids.”
imas Community College