Take Five with Laurene!

Beneath her calm demeaner and cheerful smile, Laurene is a fighter. At age 5, she was diagnosed with polio and spent time in Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “It was so crowded, my room was in the hall,” she said. While her health has her in a power chair, disability does not define Laurene. In fact, no one takes advantage of the many accessible sidewalks and walking paths at American House Jenison more than she does. If you want to find Laurene, best to head outside.

While difficulties occurred in Laurene’s life, you get the sense she’s pretty level-headed and doesn’t dwell on things. Perhaps overcoming a childhood disease has given Laurene perspective. Having lost her husband and becoming a single mother when her children were 8 and 10 years old, she’s philosophical, saying, “You have to be willing to change and accept what’s put before you.”

When this lady wants something, she goes after it. “I’m pretty vocal,” she laughs. Laurene recounts a recent request she made about power chairs on the community bus. “The driver said we had to board then transfer from our chairs to the seats,” she said. “Well, for us, it was difficult and not worth it.” Instead of not taking the bus, Laurene spoke to the executive director, Jonathan, about it. Days later, the rules changed. Now, folks in power chairs have the access they want. Laurene smiles, “That’s part of why you come to assisted living, is to be able to do those things, and he got it changed. I appreciate that.”

At American House, Laurene lived in an independent villa then moved into assisted living. “I’d entertain my friends, and I was always going somewhere,” she said. Though she no longer drives, she keeps her accessible van at the community and her friends drive her to the independent living building for cards or games. “People are so kind here,” she said.

She is all smiles thinking about the time she hired the community chef, Eric, to cater one of her villa parties. “I had him make appetizers and his famous ribs,” she said. “People still talk about that party!”

With this lady’s positive attitude and fun-loving spirit, it’s no wonder her home was a popular party destination. Laurene keeps things in great perspective. “When you wake up in the morning, I think you have a decision to make; I’m either going to be down or try to make the best of it,” she says, with her ever-present smile, “Every day can’t always be great. But it’s up to you to make it great!”

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We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.