Adventures with Leslie
Who’s ready for a Leslie update? Everywhere I go, people ask how she’s doing—and I love that you care as much as I do.
Leslie is still rocking her signature style: frilly pastel dresses, the occasional leopard print, and making more decisions for herself. But not all of them.
It took some convincing but her new favorite—VEJA velcro sneakers (both chic and life-changing!).
The biggest news?
When Leslie came to live with me, she was registered for her day program but hadn’t attended in years.
She had spent every day in her room alone, watching television or listening to music.
If you know Leslie, you know every suggestion starts with a firm no.
Eventually, she warms up, but sometimes I have to help her take the leap.
This was one of those times.
We started small: one day a week at her program. Then two. Then three.
Building slowly, celebrating each milestone—walking up stairs upright, learning to take a shower, saying please and thank you.
None of it easy, but step by step, Leslie showed us all what persistence and courage look like.
Recently, with the support of her Service Coordinator (thank you, Kyree Neal!), we moved her to a new day program at Richcroft Inc. This also started with a no but…
The change has been transformative. Instead of of up to 50 calls a day out of boredom, Leslie now calls me smiling—and even a little tired from all the activities!
Behind the scenes, programs like Community Pathways (Medicaid) make this possible.
They cover Leslie’s healthcare, her residential and day programs, and the support services that give her dignity and independence.
For the first time ever, Leslie even has her own savings account—an ABLE account—helping her pay for little joys like coffee outings, movie nights, and recently, her very first airplane ride to visit her brother.
As I often remind my children: “How we care for the most vulnerable is a reflection of who we are as a society.”
Leslie’s story is one of courage, love, and yes—resourcefulness. And I’m so grateful to share it with all of you. 💜
Purpose Driven Leadership
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