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25 TheSouthShoreMagazine.com With her device, Jenny is able to engage with the people around her. She loves to tell jokes, ask trivia questions and share her favorite memories, including the moment at her brother's wedding when he lifted her out of her wheelchair and danced with her. Her face lights up when she shares this special memory. Her adaptive technology device has enabled Jenny to flourish and has given her a new level of independence. She moved out of her parents' home and into one operated by RTR. She has friends, engages in activities and lives a happy and fulfilled life. "This world was not made for the disabled," says Jan. "But with her family and RTR as a partner, Jenny has a fighting chance." EMMA Emma was a strong, healthy, bubbly child until she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Emma's family watched their daughter go from an energetic second grader to a frail child who could barely walk. Emma received treatment for her disease and was ultimately cancer free. Unfortunately, the treatments were so aggressive that they caused brain damage and left Emma with severe intellectual and behavioral disabilities. Her parents did everything they could to help her as she grew up, but eventually she need to transition to a residential program. Her behavioral challenges proved to be too much for a number of facilities, and she was then placed at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton. The school's behavior plans are controversial: some students are required to wear backpacks and electric shock devices. When the student acts out, a painful electric shock is delivered. Emma experienced this pain firsthand for seven years. Sadly, this practice continues today in spite of efforts to ban it. Just eight months ago, in response to a lawsuit from the state, Judge Katherine Field of the Bristol County Probate and Family Court ruled that the practice can continue. When Emma turned 22, after seven years of wearing an electric shock device, she finally came to RTR and was liberated from this controversial practice. Emma's road was hard but, over time, her behavior and outlook started to improve. She has been with RTR for more than 13 years and has had a transformative experience. RTR uses a clinical wrap around approach with individuals, focusing on positive behavior supports and encouraging and rewarding positive behavior, instead of punishing bad behavior. Emma is thriving, and it is wonderful to reflect on where she was and where she is now. She is fully engaged in the community and the activities within her group home. She loves to help others and regularly volunteers with Meals on Wheels…often wearing her favorite color: pink! RTR does not believe that individuals are beyond help; Emma is proof that everyone is deserving of a meaningful and fulfilling life. BOB Bob is a special person at RTR. He was the oldest individual at RTR at 94 years young! He came to RTR at age 69, after having spent his entire life in a state-run institution. When Bob came to RTR he was terrified and overwhelmed. Bob's story began in 1927 when he was three years old. His family brought him to a state- run institution in Southern Massachusetts, dropped him off and never returned. Bob never heard from them again. During this period in time, children in institutions often endured cruel, harmful and undignified experiences, were subject to experiments and had no access to the outside world. Bob, unfortunately, was not immune to these experiences. When Bob arrived at RTR in 1990, he was paralyzed with fear and anxiety. He had no experience of life outside the institution. RTR staff provided wrap-around support to help him transition to his new environment. Through the support of RTR and a lot of patience, Bob started to make small, incremental changes. He slowly began to venture out and started participating in an RTR day employment program. On weekends, he treasured relaxing in his recliner and enjoying his favorite meal of spaghetti and meatballs and diet Coke. Bob developed strong friendships, and RTR became his family. Bob passed away peacefully in 2018 at age 94. As a direct result of RTR's compassionate and consummate care, Bob spent the last 25 years of his life living with dignity, humanity, friendship and kindness. For over 30 years, RTR has celebrated the unique strengths of individuals, supported families and has made lives better for thousands of people. RTR greatly appreciates the support from the community. If you are interested in learning how you, your family or place of employment can get involved, please contact Serenity Belo, Director of Development and Communications at sbelo@ rtrinc.org. When you support RTR, you get to be part of something bigger than yourself and you get to be part of an organization that serves some of the most amazing, but also most vulnerable among us. Visit their website, www.roadtoresponsibility.org.