October 24, 2024

Donna and Ashley Aren’t Just Living, They’re Thriving

“I get to go to places I’ve never been before.”

Those are the words said by Donna Viox, 70, about often traveling with her Mosaic at HomeⓇ shared living providers Kristina and Alex Smith and their young children, Madilynn, 7, and Wyatt, 4.

Ashley Heisner, 36, who also lives with the Smith family through Mosaic at Home, said she enjoys the regular travel as well; her favorite place they’ve visited so far is the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Now that they live with the Smiths, Donna and Ashley are doing the same thing we all want and deserve—leading the life we choose, doing the things we like to do. Most recently, they traveled to the state fair to celebrate Donna’s birthday.

It makes the difference between just living and thriving.

Kristina had previously provided hourly supports in Donna’s home each week, and as she began to need additional care, she moved in with them as a breast cancer survivor. Donna had been able to walk up and down stairs frequently and could do other light physical activities then, but she had a recurrence that took a toll on her, including an inability to balance herself.

Now, Donna is again in remission. The Smiths work with her and a physical therapist to help Donna become stronger; she works on strengthening her balance every day. While Donna uses a wheelchair to go long distances, she walks around in the home. She now has a leg brace and when she needs it, she uses a walker to steady herself. To make the home with steps more accessible, Alex changed a room on the first floor into a private bedroom specifically for her.

Ashley comes from a family with two brothers—both of whom have developmental disabilities—and one sister. She said after high school, she lived on her own for two years, but it “was very hard and scary with a mental illness. I felt like I couldn’t find my voice.”

Then in her 20s, the nature of Ashley’s mental illness was diagnosed, and she was given medicine to manage it. “But,” she said, “I wasn’t good being on my own. I struggled with eating, remembering details and scheduling doctor appointments.”

Kristina now goes with Ashley to all her doctor appointments, and said she’s on a “good balance” of medications. By working with a nutritionist, Ashley has lost 100 pounds! Importantly, as her confidence grew, she gained the courage to speak at her mother’s funeral and to share her life’s journey with others during Mosaic events.

They not only have become healthier and enjoy traveling. Each of the women attends Mosaic’s day services. Donna loves doing arts and crafts there as well as painting portraits, which she also loves to do in the sanctity of her bedroom or at the kitchen table with Madilynn and Wyatt. With her group at day services, Ashley visits places such as parks, museums and goes to events. Both like visiting restaurants.

Ashley is currently employed stocking shelves at the nearby Dollar Tree—a job she greatly enjoys.

Because of our many partners, each and every day Mosaic is able to support and encourage people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attain their goals and desires, so they can have a life full of possibilities—just like Donna and Ashley have now.

Below is a video about Donna and Ashley with the Smith Family. I think you’ll enjoy it.