created by Jennifer Featherston, QLA Director 2006 - 2008
At the age of 17, Kathy Alexander had a great life. She was an honor student living in Mulberry, Arkansas with her mother, father, sister, and brother. But one day, her life changed forever.
Kathy’s mother had just picked her and a friend up after five weeks at Governor’s School. They were traveling down highway 71 when an elderly woman entered the wrong side of the highway and hit their car head-on. Kathy and her friend were thrown from the car. Her mother, a nurse, was able to provide support until the ambulance arrived. Kathy spent four weeks in ICU. Her mother was repeatedly told that Kathy would be nothing but a vegetable, but she refused to accept it. Kathy went through many surgeries and spent time in hospitals all across the country.
It has always been Kathy’s and her parents’ dream for her to be able to live as independently as possible.
In 2000, Kathy’s parents started a non-profit organization to provide support to people with disabilities. They chose to open Quality Life Associates in Fayetteville because of the medical care available, as well as the educational, social, and cultural opportunities. Kathy moved from a rehabilitation hospital to Fayetteville and lived in an apartment with 24-hour care staff. She attended Quality Life’s day program for adults with disabilities. She participated in many therapies, including speech therapy, yoga, swimming, and cognitive therapy. As Quality Life grew, services expanded to include vocational rehabilitation and support groups. In 2006, Brookside Women’s Residence opened to provide 24-hour care for women with disabilities. Now in her early forties, Kathy lives in Brookside with her dog, Chance and continues to participate in many activities in the community. In January, Quality Life began accepting residents at The Village at Scull Creek, the first apartment complex in Northwest Arkansas where ALL units are completely accessible for people with disabilities and affordable for people with low to moderate incomes. People in wheelchairs that have required care staff are able to live with less support, now that Anyone can live in The Village at Scull Creek– not just those with disabilities. The complex consists of people with disabilities and without disabilities living together because Kathy’s mother did not want to build a facility where people with disabilities were isolated from the rest of the community.
Proceeds from Garden Party 2008 will be dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities through residential programs, day treatment programs, support groups, and vocational rehabilitation programs. Please join us as we continue to champion independence for individuals with disabilities.
Quality Life's Garden Party 2008 will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 7 PM until midnight. The event will take place at The Village at Scull Creek and will include live music, a silent auction, and an art show and sale. Tickets are $20 before April 18th and $25 after April 18 and at the door and include complimentary beverages and heavy hor d'oeuvres. Call (479) 571-4455 for tickets.
If you would like to contribute to this event, the following opportunities are available:
· Sponsorship - Cash or in-kind contributions for the event.
· Silent Auction - Donate items to be auctioned the night of the event.·
· Volunteers - We will need volunteers to help with planning, decorations, silent auction donations, and various activities the night of the event.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Featherston or Jane Mitchell at (479) 571-4455.
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