REFUGEE Manzi Icyaliho is apartment-hunting this week...read more
HOME HEALTH CARE The Rose of Ames is decorated for the Christmas season with trees wrapped in strings of lights and ornaments...read more
EARLY CHILDHOOD On a snowy afternoon Alice stares in wonder at the nativity set her mother is unpacking on the coffee table...read more
SERVICES TO FAMILIES Annette and Darryl Koudelka were moving their oldest son to independent living three years ago when they got the phone call...read more
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES Ten-year-old Logan Millius is an easygoing fourth grader with a passion for bowling...read more
RESIDENTIAL Sitting in her old junior high gym in Marshalltown, in an intersection between her past and her future, Amanda shares the story of how she turned her life around...read more
Services For People with Disabilities
Ten-year-old Logan Millius is an easygoing fourth grader with a passion for bowling.
It's his favorite activity to do with his LSI caseworker Stephanie Lange, and Logan loves to tease her about her score.
"He'll tell me I threw a bad ball, and laugh," Stephanie said. "Or, his mom will ask how I did, and he'll give me a thumbs down. Logan has a great sense of humor."
Logan has moderate developmental delays. His mom Judy was cautious at first about using services, but her hesitation quickly turned into appreciation.
"When I first started, I thought 'I don't need that," she said. "Now I know it's a win-win situation for both of us. He gets so much out of it. Now I ask 'Did we use it all?"
Stephanie and Logan work together once a week on skills such as safety, socializing and communication.
"It's great to see his improved safety and it's paid off through his ability to go out in the community," Judy said.
They also use LSI respite services, where a respite provider takes care of Logan while giving his parents a break from the demands of daily caregiving.
"When I drop him off, he tells me 'Bye' right away," she said with a laugh. "It's a great break for us, and it's nice knowing he has fun there."
A year ago Logan got a special device to help him communicate. He wears it around his neck and can select pictures and pre-recorded phrases for things he wants to say, such as asking for his own shoes and lane at the bowling alley.
"Family and friends who haven't seen him for awhile are impressed with his progress," said Judy. "When you can talk, it makes everything easier."
Her family's partnership with LSI has helped make things easier as well.
"Stephanie is awesome," Judy said. "I can't say enough about her. Logan is where he is right now 90% due to her. We work together as a team."
