“An Amazing Gift,” Kyle Teaches Humanity and Compassion By Sherry Bale As she speaks, Laura Kelly lovingly brings her older brother Kyle Simonson, 62, into the conversation by reiterating key information and posing questions to him. He sits closely by her side, and their love for each other is palpable. Kyle may not be verbal, but he clearly communicates he’s happy through his exuberant smile, buoyant, happy clapping and his wonderful sounds of joy. According to Laura, Kyle has always been that way. “I’m 39 years old, and in all those years of being his sister, he’s always been happy. He’s so easy going, kind and sweet. You could be having the worst day, but his million dollar smile melts your heart and changes all that.” Before Laura and their sister Jennifer Halupnick were born, Kyle suffered a brain injury as a toddler. Their parents rushed him to the hospital with a high fever, and sadly, he coded overnight and lost oxygen to his brain. When he awakened, Kyle could no longer walk or talk. “The only time I sawmy dad cry was when he talked about Kyle being fully capable—walking and talking before his brain injury—and how afterward, Kyle could no longer speak and needed to relearn how to walk,” recounted Jennifer. Their father died 11 years ago. “The day before dad died,” said Laura, “he asked me to ‘take care of my buddy.’” While Kyle lived in a group home, Laura wanted him to live in a place where “he would have more life opportunities and experiences,” she said. “I started calling around the metro area to find a residence where we could easily pick him up and take him places. When she called Mosaic, a staff member asked her if she had ever considered being a paid Mosaic at Home shared living provider for Kyle. “I had no idea it was even an option,” Laura said. “I then knew in my heart this is the direction we should go, he could move into a home where people loved him, and he could be an integral part of his family. “I thought it would be hard to make the transition happen, but the people at Mosaic made it so smooth, and they were so supportive in making the change come true for all of us,” Laura added. 4 | Promise
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