A sweet reunion with early childhood teachers Chris Ringe joined the Hammer & NER family in 2017 when he moved into our Lancaster home. Chris, who has Down syndrome, is an active, friendly, outgoing guy with a big heart. Earlier this year, as our annual Reach for Ralph fundraiser was...
Her Smile Lit Up Times Square! By Joanne Heller Our daughter, Jennie, who recently turned 47, has resided at the (east metro) Cedarwood home for 24 years. Throughout her life, Jennie, who was born with Down syndrome, has struggled but persevered. When she was starting to crawl and grabbing things,...
Watch the Video “When Andy Met Molly” By Aaron Garcia, Program Manager at Lake Place Apartments Andy and Molly first met back in 1981 when they were young kids at summer camp. The camp was discontinued after a few summers and they lost contact with each other. Fast forward to 2008 when...
My name is Pat Peterson and my youngest brother Kelly was moved to a state institution when he was very young. That happened in the 1960s to some people with developmental disabilities who could not be cared for by their family. Kelly was born with Down syndrome, and was not very healthy when he...
By Emily Robillard, Assistant Program Manager Say CHEESE!!! FLASH! Look up here!!!!! FLASH! WOOOO!!! FLASH!!! Loud, energetic, exciting – all words I would use to describe a Target photo shoot. My daughter Harlee (pictured above) has been modeling for Target since she was about nine months old....
By Ginny Kjellesvig A few years ago I was working at Hammer’s Gardner home. I had been married less than two weeks, and it was my first shift back – Friday through Saturday afternoon. Only one of the ladies, Miss Dawn, was home that weekend. Just as she was getting settled for the evening, I got...
by Levi Martinka, Hammer Volunteer My sister Joy has Down syndrome. Some may consider having a sibling with a disability to be a burden. In my mind, it is, and always has been, a blessing. Despite being my younger sister, she has greatly shaped my life (whether she knows it or not). Because she is...
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