By Ted Wentink & Erin Dunn

Our daughter, Jessica, started her Hammer & NER journey 12 years ago when she moved into the Lake Place apartment program. Although she was 26 years old, we were hesitant to have her leave home, but we also wanted Jessica to develop an independent lifestyle with a close circle of friends. We knew that at some point in our lives, we would not be able to provide everything she needed. We wanted to do everything possible to set her up for success.

We remember when we first met with the team at Hammer to discuss whether Jessica was a candidate for their independent living program. They were so supportive and informative. They painted a picture of how Jessica could realize her dream of living independently, while growing her peer group and forging new relationships. A light bulb turned on for us and we were able to envision what this would mean for Jessica.

Now, 12 years later, Jessica has developed an independent lifestyle with a close circle of friends. We have seen our daughter fully bloom. Hammer & NER provides a variety of activities including cardio fitness, bowling, dances, healthy cooking classes, and more. They also coordinate transportation to and from work and day programs. They track Jessica’s healthcare needs and manage her finances. Each day, everyone gathers in the staff apartment to enjoy dinner and to talk about their day.

Jessica has told us some of her favorite memories include the Hammer Travel trips. Every year, we go through the brochure, and she picks a trip. Last fall, Jessica did the Colorado Excursion, which included the Georgetown Loop Scenic Railroad ride as well as visiting the Boulder area. The staff that accompany travelers have always been outstanding.

When we think about Hammer & NER, we know that they serve the most important needs for people. They provide homes—real homes. They have provided Jessica with a sense of independence, and everyone has become part of the family. As parents, they have given us peace of mind.

(Photo above: Jessica, Ted, and Erin enjoy taking family vacations to ranches where they move cattle and participate in ranch rodeos. Jessica is building her riding skills through the We Can Ride therapeutic riding program.) 

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My sister and I didn’t have much while growing up. Our parents worked odd hours to make ends meet, but no matter how hard it was for them, we were able to enjoy fun family vacations. I have fond memories of going to Universal Studios and riding the Backlot Tour attraction and the E.T. Adventure. We also drove to Las Vegas in an RV. There are pictures of me as a baby riding on top of an elephant in Thailand.

I have been fortunate to travel to several states and to places like China, Thailand, and Mexico. I had the pleasure of immersing myself in different cultures. It was a privilege to be able to do these kinds of trips, especially when I had money to do it on my own. However, I realized, after working at Hammer Residences, that not everyone had the same privileges as I did. Learning about our sister company, Hammer Travel, that provides all-inclusive vacations for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, piqued my interest back in 2017. The belief that everyone should have the ability to travel is what made me apply to become a Trip Leader, because I wanted the individuals that I supported to have the same experience I had when I was young.

Steve meets Minnie

One of my greatest experiences as a Trip Leader was leading a trip to Disneyland in September 2023. There were two brothers who had never traveled before. They experienced sheer joy visiting Disneyland and doing it independently. The eldest brother wanted to see the ocean. We made his dreams come true when we took the travel group to the Santa Monica Pier. He smiled from ear to ear, feeling the warmth of the sand between his toes, and getting to dip his legs in the ocean. It brought me joy to see him experience something I have done many times in my life.

Enjoying the Disney attractions

I also led a group on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas in March 2023. One traveler was an avid traveler with Hammer Travel, but with his decline in health, wouldn’t be able to travel much longer. During departure to Florida, one of his family members told me that the Disney Cruise may be his last trip. I made it a priority that he would have the trip of a lifetime.

Being a Trip Leader for the past five years, I have seen the impact that we have on the travelers. From novice travelers to the most experienced, Hammer Travel creates memories that keep bringing travelers back wanting more. I hear stories from individuals I support about the exciting things they were able to do, things that wouldn’t be possible without the innovation and ingenuity from two former Program Managers who saw there was a need in this population. Hammer Travel broke the barriers by creating trips that are inclusive to all.

If you would like to learn more about Hammer Travel or becoming a Trip Leader, contact Tom Ryan at tom.ryan@hammer.org.

Steve Watanaskul is a Program Manager at Hammer & NER’s Arrive apartment program in Eden Prairie.

The post Sharing a Love for Travel appeared first on Hammer.

This wasn’t Ryan’s first cruise–he’s actually a veteran “cruiser.” “This was like my 8th,” he says. Ryan has done quite a bit of traveling with Hammer Travel including a trip to London last fall. He’s looking forward to his next trip and highly recommends seeing the world. “Life is just too short,” he says.

Ryan is supported at our Stone Creek apartment program in Plymouth. “The staff are amazing, and I have a lot of friends there,” he says. He also enjoys his job at Kowalskis where he works in the deli area. “I’m doing pretty good for 40,” he says with a smile.

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

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Hammer Travel opens up a world of adventures

Jim checking out the cockpit, 2016

Since 2009, Hammer Travel has supported over 2,000 people as they fulfilled their travel goals. Going hand in hand with Hammer’s mission, Hammer Travel promotes personal growth, social inclusion, independence, and self-confidence, through the joys of travel. Whether visiting a new city or cruising Alaska, travel is a world-expanding experience that plays an important role in one’s quality of life.

Katie Pease, Hammer Training Consultant, Trip Leader – I’m happy to share a part in making travel dreams come true for the people we support. Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to travel, and if someone needs a little extra help to be safe and supported, that’s what we’re here for. I really enjoy seeing our travelers embrace all the new things that can be a part of traveling. Sometimes it’s navigating through nerves with airport security, trying a new food, or walking slowly together into the water to touch a dolphin. I enjoy working through challenges as they arise and having a ton of fun along the way.

Having lots of fun at All Things Hershey, 2022

Joe, Traveler, Hammer’s Stone Creek Apartments – I’ve traveled a lot with Hammer Travel. I’ve been to New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Branson, and Disney Halloween Magic at Disney World. I love seeing new places and it’s fun to meet people from other states and make friends with them. My favorite trip so far was “All Things Hershey” to Hershey, PA. We visited Hershey Park, went on rides, and learned about the history of Hershey. I also like going to Wisconsin Dells. I just enjoy myself.

Malik Mohamud, Trip Leader, Hammer & NER Program Manager – Witnessing the joy and excitement on travelers’ faces is truly awe-inspiring. We celebrated a lady’s birthday during a late-night luau in Hawaii. For her, it was an extraordinary experience to mark her special day in a place she had never imagined visiting. Individuals can accomplish goals they never thought possible. One traveler had a deep connection to Pearl Harbor, passed down through family stories. His dream was to be part of the Pearl Harbor experience during our Hawaii trip. His excitement was palpable as he eagerly took pictures and immersed himself in the history that had captivated him for so long.

Pam Whitcomb, Volunteer – I enjoy providing a safe space for people to freely expand their comfort zones and experience new adventures. On one trip, an Alaskan cruise, one of the travelers with a progressive muscle disease wanted to just swim in the hot tub. The pool staff operated the lift, and we got him in the tub and a few of us went in with him. He was happy as a clam! There are always challenges, but it really helps to have a good team of staff and volunteers that work together on the difficult issues. That can turn a tough situation into a good one!

Cindi Laurent, Volunteer – I really enjoy the people I meet and the things we do. My favorite trip was swimming with the dolphins. We had a gal with pretty serious physical issues (wheelchair bound) and we weren’t sure how we were going to work out her swim. The trainers at Discovery Cove were amazing. One of them wrapped her around the dolphin and then wrapped himself around her so she could experience the swim. We all had tears in our eyes at the joy on her face. 

JenniLee Wilson, Caregiver, Coordinator-MSCC, Inc, Olsonville (Carlton, MN) – We had a client who wanted to see a WWE (professional wrestling) show and I had no idea where to go about making it happen until a guardian suggested Hammer Travel. The four trips we’ve been a part of have been some of the most well planned, relaxing, and fun the clients I serve have had. We took one of the people we support to Louisiana. It’s been great to see how independent he has become after the trip. He’s really stepping up to the plate to do big things on his own.

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Volunteer Bob Martinka was recently celebrated for his quick thinking during a Hammer Travel trip that likely prevented a serious accident.

Last summer, a group of 26 people that we serve, along with 10 staff members, boarded a chartered bus (with a hired driver) for a trip up north for our annual fishing trip on Gull Lake. About 30 minutes in, the bus driver experienced a medical emergency, and volunteer Bob Martinka, quickly sensing that something was wrong, rushed to the front of the bus. “I knelt down beside the driver and grabbed the steering wheel while stretching my leg out to put my foot on the brake pedal,” Bob recalls. However, the driver didn’t want to let go of the wheel. “I told him what was happening and that we needed to get the bus to a safe place, but he was out of it,” Bob says. Thankfully, Bob was able to maneuver the bus around cars and construction barricades, while avoiding the ditch, and finally brought the charter bus safely to a stop on the right shoulder.

One of the staff, Malik Mohamud, a Program Manager for three of our west metro homes, jumped in to assist Bob. “As Bob was assisting the driver in getting off the bus and staying with him, I quickly got into the driver’s seat as the engine was still running,” he says. “The controls were nothing like my sedan, so I had to figure out how to turn the engine off and put on the emergency brake.” Malik remained in the driver’s seat as Bob and the other staff kept the travelers calm until another bus and driver were procured.

“Captain Bob” Martinka

Bob has been volunteering on this annual fishing trip for eight years. However, he hadn’t planned to be on the bus for the drive up this time. “I was going to drive to camp later as I had a funeral to go to that day,” Bob says. “But the funeral was changed to a date that would have been in the middle of the boating excursion, so I decided to go ahead and ride along on the bus.”

Known as “Captain Bob,” the travel staff look to him to captain the pontoon they rent. He also makes sure everyone has fishing poles and makes the rounds baiting hooks. “It’s all catch and release,” Bob says. “We just have fun going and dropping a line and then reeling them in.”

Thinking back to the drive up to the lake, Bob credits the staff for everything they did that day. “The staff were far more aware of what was happening than the people we serve,” he says. The others had been occupied watching the movie or reading their book. “The staff did an awesome job of maintaining a sense of calm and making everything seem normal when we had to pull over and wait for a new bus and driver,” Bob says.

Getting ready for some fishing!

A Highway Patrol trooper, Officer Christina Winans, arrived just a short while later. “It was reassuring to have an official presence there,” Bob says. “She got on the bus and took the microphone and had a tremendous way of calming everyone.”

An ambulance arrived and took the motor coach driver to the hospital as the group waited for another motor coach and driver to arrive. “The staff were so good about keeping everyone safe and getting luggage transferred,” Bob says. “We finally made it up to Gull Lake about three hours late.” Bob says he is humbled to be a partner with the great staff who helped with this trip. “What they did was a huge part of the success of the trip and the wellbeing of everyone who participated.”

In November, Hammer hosted a small reception to thank Bob for his quick thinking and bravery in safely stopping the bus and averting an accident. He was presented with a Ralph statue and Officer Winans was on hand to help recognize Bob and present him with a MN Highway Patrol shirt. She noted that situations like this don’t normally end this well, but thanks to Bob’s efforts, all our travelers arrived at their destination safely.

Thank you, Bob, for all that you do for the people we serve. We are inspired by your dedication and caring spirit. Staff from the trip wanted to be sure you were recognized for what you did that day, and we are proud to designate you a Hammer Hero!  

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