PM - Testimony: Lois Shope

A Flower Blooms...
On Hudson Street
By Diana Cline and Chris Book

What would it be like to live in a sheltered institution your whole life?

If you’re like us, you really don’t know. But Lois is someone who does know, and we thought you might like to hear her story.

Lois is mildly retarded, and as a child she had moderate seizures. At the young age of five, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, and went to live in a state "colony" in Central PA.

She was torn from her family and was not allowed to see them for two whole years. She was told this needed to happen so that "she would get used to it." Lois managed to adapt though, and stayed for twenty years.

Then she was transferred to a home in the Harrisburg area. For twenty-four years she lived there, and although she received a private room, she was not happy. Here is her description:

"It was a terrible place for me to live because you couldn't see friends or have friends see you. There were lots of rules, and you couldn't leave the building except to go to certain places. You couldn't take a bus or taxi. I felt like I was in prison - all locked up.

"We would take the same walks over and over again. I was very bored, and wasn’t kept busy. There was only one picnic a year.

"I could never see my (government assistance) checks. You just had to sign them over and never got any spending money.

"The staff members were afraid to talk to you. It was like they would get fired or something if they did."

Lois was literally trapped for twenty-four years because she couldn't afford to obtain decent care anywhere else. I don't think that should happen to anyone.

But in 1993, Lois’ story took a turn for the better. She came to live at Paxton Street Home, the main home that we operate here at Paxton Ministries. (Paxton Street Home is located in the former Messiah Home on Paxton Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.) When she came, we found her to be a delightful, cheery person who quickly became part of our family.

We were excited to see a "new" Lois emerging. If only you could have seen the look on her face when she overcame her fear of the public bus system. After an instructor taught her how to ride, she stepped off the bus in front of our home all lit up and exclaiming, "I did it! I did it!" and went on to tell everyone about her new experience. And because she could take the bus, she was able to secure part time employment working in a restaurant.

But that was several years ago, how is Lois doing today?

The Lois we knew in 1993 was just the bud of a beautiful flower that the Lord was bringing to bloom. After two years at Paxton Street Home, Lois moved one block away to our Hudson Street Apartments. This small apartment building is nestled in a small neighborhood, close enough for our five residents who have their own apartments to stay connected to our larger community at Paxton Street Home for support and accountability.

After working for a number of years at the local Pizza Hut, Lois retired, but she still keeps active. She stops by Paxton Street Home regularly to share a smile and some of her quick wit. And she is reaching the potential that was within her all along, but just needed to be nurtured.

Picture of Lois Shope with two children Her apartment is decorated in a gracious manner. "Pictures on a wall make a house more ‘homey’", she says, as she points to a small picture of her with a little boy and girl (see right). The children in the picture, grandchildren of one of our staff members, are fondly coming to know her as "Aunt Lois." There is also a larger picture of her with friends on a vacation to Nova Scotia in 1995.

When asked what she is thankful for, Lois says "Paxton Street Home...I’m thankful to have my own things, to grocery shop for food that I like to eat, and the freedom to go to the refrigerator any time of the day." These may seem like simple joys to you or to us, but as you’ve heard, for the first 55 years of Lois’ life they were joys she didn’t know.

She has some other comments to share about the Paxton Ministries community:

"There are lots of things to do all the time and new places to see. I keep very busy. I can walk or take the bus anywhere and can come and go as I please.

"There's nice people here and I've made some good friends. I like all the staff - they're very good to me.

"I like that I can see my checks now. Here I can manage my money like a normal person. It makes me feel good. I can spend it the way I want to, and I save some in case something comes up."

Lois has blossomed now that she has been given the independence, with the proper amount of support, to lead a fulfilled life. And she has learned the joy of giving. Every now and then when she has some money saved up, she asks what she can do to bless Paxton Ministries. Over the years she has purchased a food processor for our kitchen crew, a computer for our main office, and currently is saving money to have her kitchen renovated in her apartment on Hudson Street.

But perhaps the most exciting changes for Lois have been on the inside.

"I feel great! I have much more energy, and I just want to keep going.

"Before, I felt like a patient. Now I just feel like everyone else. I go to work and come back to my home just like normal people.

"I used to be really sad and wouldn't talk to anybody, but now I feel great!

We wanted you to hear Lois’ story to get a picture of what God is doing at Paxton Ministries. There are also ninety other residents at Paxton Ministries, all with a different life story. Varying in age, ability and need, they are like a beautiful bouquet that the Lord has brought together. However, one thing everyone at Paxton Ministries has in common is that each of us need a helping hand.

You see, we can’t accomplish what we do on our own. Daily we depend on God for wisdom, guidance and strength. And we also depend on a large network of supporters in the local community to help us minister to the poor and disadvantaged adults that God has brought our way.

Paxton Street Home is structured to provide for our residents basic living needs in a setting somewhat like a boarding home. But the real key is love.

All of our staff are committed Christians, and most live right in the facilities with our residents and get involved in their lives. Some residents have had very difficult lives, but living in a loving, accepting environment brings healing and hope. Each morning, all staff meet together for an hour to worship, have devotions and pray for our residents and other ministry needs.

We run a clean, efficient home, and give residents lots of opportunities to get involved. This becomes their home, and they treat it as such. You can imagine that for someone with emotional difficulties, a home-like setting is much better than a cold institution.

One of our goals is to minister to all of our residents regardless of their finances. We ask them to pay a rental fee based on a sliding scale. Unfortunately, 85% of our residents are on fixed incomes and can't pay enough rent to cover our costs. Instead of raising rents for those who can pay, we ask outside friends to help make up the difference.

If you'd like to learn more about our program, please contact Chris Book or Donna Selka at (717) 236-5508 (or e-mail: home@paxtonmin.org). We can provide you with more information about our program or finances. Just give us a call.

Thanks for reading Lois' story. By getting involved in our work...you really can make a difference in the lives of our residents.

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