Novel idea supports Reach for Ralph and strengthens connections Chris Ringe joined the Hammer & NER family in 2017. He is an active, friendly, outgoing guy with a big heart. His parents, Mitch and Judi Marie, were thrilled when Chris was invited to live at the Lancaster home, where he...
A sister’s devotion ensures he lives his best life Julie Wesley-Wong is Vice President of the Hammer & NER Board and chairs the Board’s Advocacy committee. Her brother, Mickey, joined the Hammer family in 1978 when he moved into the boys’ dorm on the Hammer campus. Recently, she sat down with...
By Diane Bruns, Steven’s sister Steve was diagnosed as a toddler with an intellectual disability. He is non-verbal but communicates through basic sign language. Despite some new health challenges, Steven loves to spend time with his family and go to his day support program, drink coffee and...
Growing up, siblings of people with intellectual disabilities will watch their parents care for all aspects of their brother or sister’s life, even during young adulthood. As they grow older, these siblings may wonder where they belong in terms of their involvement with caretaking and decision...
For many of us, sibling relationships are the longest-lasting bonds, surpassing even those with parents, partners, or friends. As a result, siblings often find themselves in the “club-sandwich generation,” balancing support for aging parents, siblings with disabilities, and their own children...
The relationship between siblings is one of the most enduring and multifaceted connections in life. For those with a sibling living with an intellectual or developmental disability, this bond can be especially profound. Siblings often take on roles that extend beyond friendship and familial...
Any parent has likely heard the phrase, “the days are long, but the years are short.” The years may be short, but my son, Josiah, definitely isn’t! It seems like just yesterday he was a tiny toddler running around the house and now I have an 18-year-old young man who is almost as tall as me (I’m...
Steve Kastendieck’s son, Ryan, is supported at Hammer & NER My relationship with Hammer Residences began 15 years ago, when my colleague at Allina Health, and my friend, Joel Amundsen, invited me to sit with him on the Human Rights Committee as a volunteer pharmacist reviewing cases each...
I was thrilled to join the Hammer & NER Board of Directors in January. Participating on the Board, Program Committee, and Advocacy Committee comes with a learning curve, however, not without wonderful support from other volunteers and staff members. The Hammer & NER Vision and Strategic...
Here is the featured cover story of our summer Discoveries magazine. Decades of devotion have nurtured a fulfilling life To meet the Smith family is to witness the meaning of love and devotion. In addition to raising their own six children, Gary and Shirley Smith welcomed 12 foster children into...
Andy’s journey with Hammer & NER Many people who live in our apartment programs and are used to living more independently are now “dancing a bit slower” as they age. When their health needs become more complex, the reality is that they will need to move to a group home where they can receive a...
Each of our Hammer & NER homes is unique because of the people who live and work there. The “Showcasing Our Homes” profiles celebrate our homes (and apartment programs), the people who live there, and the staff who support them. Let’s learn about the Lakeside home in Minnetonka! The Lakeside...
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