For the past 15 years, Donald and Bonita have been meeting each other every morning at?The Arc San Francisco.
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Bonita makes sure Donald has his glasses and bus pass before he goes off to work at his custodian job downtown. Donald says he likes getting a paycheck so he can take Bonita to lunch.
The couple meet back at The Arc at the end of the day and travel to their separate homes. Donald lives at home with his elderly mom; Bonita lives in a group home.
In a perfect world, they?d get to go home together, but that?s not how the world works for many individuals with developmental disabilities. ?While employment, education, health care and other supports are public priorities, the affordable housing that would give Donald and Bonita a chance to live together is out of reach.
Still, their relationship endures.
For Donald and Bonita,?The Arc?is a lifeline, providing?employment,?education,?health care?and a safety net of support.
The Arc San Francisco?is a non-profit service and advocacy organization for adults with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families living in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties.
The Arc serves a varied group of over 550 clients who, despite their diverse backgrounds, ages and disabilities, are all similar in their desire to live a life of greater self-determination, dignity and quality, providing supports that enable people with developmental disabilities to maximize their potential, live meaningful lives and become integral members of the community.
?The capacity for people with developmental disabilities to live full, rich lives is often underestimated,? says The Arc San Francisco CEO Dr. Glenn Motola, ?but love is found across the entire spectrum of ?the human experience and includes us all, people with disabilities and people without disabilities.?
Bonita agrees.
?Donald makes me laugh and makes my worries go away.?
To learn more about The Arc of San Francisco,?CLICK HERE.
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