The Holiday Season at NCC

By Jessica Bahny

NCC Activities Assistant

Well, it’s been looking a lot like the holidays here at the NeuroCare Center.  I thought I’d update everyone about what’s been shakin’ here in the activity department.  As you can imagine, we’ve been busy, busy, busy- but always having fun!  As we do every year, we’ve been trying to go to the Wayne County Lightfest every Thursday night.  I personally went recently, with Brian O. and Bradly R.  We had so much fun!  The holiday music was cranked up, and we sang and laughed the whole way.  The lights were quite a spectacle this year- they had the usual displays, but DTE energy sponsored the new addition- blinking musical notes in a rainbow of colors.  Very cool. 

 

On December 11, my co-worker Kari and I were fortunate enough to be able to take two of our clients to the Lion’s game.  Willie B., James H., Kari and I had a rockin’ good time watching the Lions face the Minnesota Vikings.  It was a packed house at Ford Field, and oh yeah, the Lions won!!!  The staff was very gracious to our gentlemen- what a great experience!  

This past Friday was our annual Winterfest here at NCC.  We had a full day of games, crafts, food and excitement.  My leader, Amy Blevins, did a great job as always coordinating the whole thing, and all of the awesome therapists, RST’s, and everyone else working that day were so supportive in working the different stations and helping the clients get from one place to another.  It always feels so good to see all of us working together to give our clients a good day.  One more shout-out has to go to our Dietary Staff for the AWESOME food!  We had soup in bread bowls, and fantastic wrap style sandwiches.  They worked very hard, and it certainly paid off with compliments from clients, staff and guests alike.  We’re all decorated up for the season, with the Christmas tree that our clients helped decorate sitting in the dining room and our menorah lit.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.  Stay tuned for more updates!  There’s always something going on!

Pay Day at Last!

There’s nothing like the feeling of getting your first paycheck, even if you have to wait until you’re 59! Client Dusanka was thrilled to get her first paycheck EVER for her vocational work in Special Tree’s Day Treatment Service’s in-house ceramics studio where she creates ceramics and keeps the studio clean and organized. “Dusanka is a hard worker and voluntarily takes on extra tasks,” said DTS Manager Kathy Gray. Dusanka has a long work history — just not for jobs she got paid to do. After immigrating from Romania, she raised three kids and helped care for her five grandchildren. Working in the studio has dramatically changed Dusanka’s outlook on her abilities adds Kathy. “Instead of saying she can’t do something, she’s now focused on what she can do to make more money!”

But Dusanka’s new job has given her more than just money -- it’s also boosted her self-confidence. In October, she bravely spoke about her work experiences to a large crowd at the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference in Grand Rapids. Dusanka, her co-worker David, and DTS staff made the trek across the state to participate in the Conference’s Micro Enterprise Mall where they sold over $500 worth of client-made ceramics at Special Tree’s product booth.

Ceramic works by Dusanka and other clients in the DTS vocational program are on display (and for sale) at the Troy Neuro Skills Center. You can also purchase ceramics by contacting the ceramics sale manager at victoriamannino@specialtree.com.

Knock, Knock... It's the Holidays!

By: Tonya Bryant, CBIS
Residential Manager
Webster Court

This year the staff at Webster Court wanted to do something fun with our clients to get them in the holiday spirit.  We decided to have a Holiday door decorating contest.  All week long we have encouraged any visitors at Webster Court to take a walk through and vote for the most creative and festive door. Tom had a box of Godiva chocolates set outside his door to share with all of those who stopped by to vote.  This afternoon we tallied up our votes and we have our winners.  In first place we have Tom, known at Webster Court as “The Mayor.”  He won a $20 gift certificate to Fanatic U. In second place we have Shanay, who a $10 gift certificate to Dots.  In third place we have Bill who took home a $5 gift certificate to Fanatic U.  Staff also decorated the office door to join in on the fun.  Everyone enjoyed this contest and we plan to make a holiday tradition at Webster Court.

Tom, "The Mayor" who's festive door was awarded 1st place

Shanay's door adorned in red and green and got her the number 2 spot 

Humble, yet festive Bill was awarded 3rd in the contest

Happy Holidays!