Tag: intellectual disabilities
Go With the Flow: Rachel’s Story of Strength and Spirit
“Water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient.Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember, you are half water.If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”— Margaret Atwood I’ve had the privilege of seeing some of the world’s greatest swimmers in action — Michael Phelps… read more
Honoring the Legacy of Sandra K. Lucy
At GoodLife, we believe every person we serve leaves a lasting mark on our community. Few embodied that truth more than Sandra K. Lucy, who passed away on May 29, 2024. Sandra was known for her infectious laughter, joyful spirit, and the light she brought to her home and everyone around her. Recently, Sandra’s family chose to honor her memory… read more
What Is GoodLife University? A Smarter Way to Stabilize Your DSP Workforce
Across the nation, I/DD provider agencies are facing a painful reality: the direct support workforce is in crisis. Agencies are short-staffed, leadership teams are stretched thin, and the professionals who are meant to be delivering care are burned out or walking away. The traditional methods of recruiting, hiring, and retaining Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are no longer working. But that… read more
“We All Love Terry”
Gosh, time really flies by. It seems like yesterday when Terry asked me “Can I hold her?” My daughter was just a few days old but I didn’t hesitate. I had known Terry for about a year which was long enough for me to recognize that behind his gruff, tough-guy demeanor lived a gentle, caring soul. He carefully took my… read more
One Long Journey
One of GoodLife’s most dedicated and loyal employees never leaves the office on Delaware street, has 29 siblings, is exactly 5 feet tall, and has been with the organization for over twenty-two years. Yes, it’s been that long since our beloved Jayhawk statue first arrived at its permanent location in Lawrence. It all started in 2003 when the Lawrence Convention… read more
“Happiness Without Walls”
A few years ago, Dr. Robert Waldinger delivered a speech titled “The Good Life: Lessons from The Longest Study on Happiness”. The speech has been viewed over 50 million times on the Internet. Dr. Waldinger’s talk focused on the longest academic study in the United States, which started in 1938 and continues to this day. Ultimately, the goal of Harvard’s… read more
“Santa Has A Name”
“Excuse me, I think you dropped something,” said Ted Horn pretending to pick up a twenty-dollar bill from the floor and handing it to his customer. The young man appeared startled and confused. Desperate, cold and starving he had walked into the Dixie Diner in Tupelo, Mississippi knowing perfectly well he didn’t have a single penny in his pocket. “What…sorry…I… read more
It’s Back! Midnight Farm Family Fun Day
So far 2024 has been eventful in many ways but we are about to make it even more memorable. On Saturday, September 7th GoodLife will bring back a beloved tradition – the Annual Family Fun Day at Midnight Farm! Originally, the event was conceived as an opportunity to bring families and community members together at the farm in celebration of… read more
“A Durable Dance Partner”
Dear friends, This July, we bid farewell to one of the most important members of our GoodLife family – Dr. James Sherman. It is impossible to adequately describe the impact and influence of his contributions not only to our organization but to the entire field of Applied Behavioral Science. In 1977, while working at the University of Kansas Dr. Sherman… read more
Amanda’s Lesson
Many years ago, an Englishman named John Spilsbury came up with a curious invention. He decided to draw a map of the world and cut it into many pieces. Then the scrambled pieces had to be put together. It was going to be an educational game: a fun challenge of one’s knowledge of geography. It was made of wood and,… read more
