Once we had introduced ourselves we let David share with us his various passions. He only has a baker’s dozen we talked about! He takes each interest seriously, and we discussed them all in turn. Here’s the list:
1. Fixing things
2. Collecting and using tools
3. Finding interesting items at estate sales
4. Boating
5. Going out for coffee
6. Becoming a member of the University Presbyterian Church
7. Watching and talking about Movies
8. Building model train set-ups
9. Playing and listening to Organs
10. Cheering for the Boston Red Sox
11. Walking Prianka, The Dog—owning pets
12. Completing projects
13. Playing Golf

David's next network meeting is scheduled for the weekend of January 14-15 at the Model Train Show at the Seattle Center Science Center. The network will be joining David to experience the fun of model railroading.

I had done a lot of worrying prior to the move. Dave had grown up with three siblings in Northport and knew just about everyone there. How would it be for him to arrive as a forty year old adult in Seattle where he knew no one but my husband and me? The post office facility where he would be working as a mail handler was miles away and much larger than the one he had grown used to back home. How would he manage? How would he cope with living in the city? How would Rick and I adjust to this new 6’ 4” addition to our household?

Fortunately there was a very young but determined LifeSPAN organization here in Seattle, which I learned of when a flyer inviting me to a 7 Steps workshop arrived in the mail. I was desperate for information and the sense that perhaps I wasn’t completely alone in this new situation so I signed up.

I became an associate member and I watched the organization grow by degrees as Dave established himself at work, in his new church and in our neighborhood. Last winter, after speaking with him about it for some time, I decided to join as a lifetime member and begin a network for Dave. LifeSPAN found us a fabulous facilitator in John Perkins and the process of building Dave’s network has proved to be an interesting one driven by Dave’s many hobbies and interests.

I am now on the LifeSPAN board and Dave is doing great. We are looking for an apartment for him in our neighborhood where I know that with support from his network he will enjoy a very good life indeed.

We're planning more events like this in the future for network members and friends of LifeSPAN. If you have ideas for fun (and inexpensive) activities, please send them to LifeSPAN.

We invite you to attend a free one-hour session to talk about LifeSPAN and our approach to building relationships in the community. You will have an opportunity to speak with members of LifeSPAN who are excited about ensuring a good life for people with disabilities. You will also be able to get more information about membership in LifeSPAN, training workshops, and involvement in Networks and Facilitation.

Our next sessions are scheduled for Sunday January 14 from 4-5 pm and Sunday February 11 from 3-4 pm at Jackson Place Cohousing 800 Hiawatha Place S. Seattle, WA 98144, one block east of Rainier Ave, at Dearborn.

To help us with planning, please RSVP to Kathy (206) 522-3099 or email (kathy@lifespan-wa.org) if you're planning to come.

In Barbara's words...
Being older parents with only a few scattered close relatives, we were reassured to know that the LifeSPAN program would provide oversight and assistance for Katie's network into the future. The network get-togethers provide Katie with opportunities to develop relationships and gain social skills, which in turn will help her become more confident and self-sufficient. We see that as one of the goals attainable through Katie's LifeSPAN Network, and we already feel progress has been made in that area.
- Dennis & Barbara Bednar, Lifetime Members, Sept., 2006