Gerald Is Enjoying Yoga Class

This blog post came to us in person during a yoga class at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. Gerald, one of the residents at the home, is shown with Angel Organic volunteer Laura.

During the yoga class, Gerald’s wife Donna commented, “Gerald is the last person I thought would be into yoga, but he’s really enjoying it. I think it helps that his better half is in the class.”

Angel Organic volunteer Laura welcomes Gerald at yoga class.

Angel Organic volunteer Laura gently supports Gerald's arms
as he stretches out his fingers.

John Enjoyed The Volunteer's French Toast

This blog post is from a conversation with John at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome.

We had a new volunteer come by our house over the weekend to make French toast. I showed her the technology and cooking stuff so it worked out well.

John at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome.

Richard Has High Standards For Job Crews

This delightful blog post fell right in our lap during a conversation with members of a CORE/Labor Source work crew that was on their lunch break after finishing their custodial job at the Hungry Toad Pub in Boulder.  Hungry Toad owner Terry Morton has employed a CORE/Labor Source crew for more than 20 years.  The following comment was a compliment from one of the crew members and was directed at Richard, the Supported Employment Specialist who had supervised the crew that day.

“Richard should be in a dining show the way he makes sure everything is so clean!”

CORE/Labor Source Supported Employment Specialist Richard had
his sixth anniversary at Imagine! on April 16.

Christopher Is Tired But Still Sent Us This

This blog post was sent to us by Christopher via an audio email. Christopher is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. Considering what he said, we’re honored that he took the time to send this.

Hi this is Christopher, I’m "calling" to tell you that my day was good, and I loved it but I’m tired and I’m exhausted so good-bye.

Chris in his room.

Gerald Bought A Beatles Yellow Submarine Lunchbox

This blog post came to us via an audio email last Saturday from Gerald, who is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. This was a verbal interview, with one of the counselors interviewing Gerald, rather than Gerald using his Dynavox to communicate. In answering most of the questions, Gerald used one or two word responses, but I have transcribed the post as if Gerald is doing all the speaking since he was active in the conversation.

Hello, This is Gerald. I had a pretty good day. I went out to the bookstore with my wife, and Mandy. I bought a lunchbox, a yellow submarine lunchbox, a Beatles lunchbox. Bye.

Close up of Gerald's Yellow Submarine lunchbox.

Sideview of lunchbox with Paul, Ringo, George, and John.

Gerald and his wife Donna with Gerald's Yellow Submarine lunchbox.

Photos Of Rebecca In Yoga Class

This is the fourth and final post (for now) about the yoga class that volunteers from Angel Organic provide for the residents at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. The photos below are of Rebecca in last week's class.

John and Rebecca gently twist their bodies.

Rebecca and John stretching.

Rebecca demonstrates her flexibility.

While relaxing, Rebecca stretches her fingers as if playing the piano.

"I'm A Twisted Pretzel" Said Donna During Yoga Class

This blog post, including the photos and comments by Donna, came to us through sheer good fortune when someone stopped by the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome last week just to say hi and was invited to stay and take photos of a yoga class that is offered to the residents at the home by volunteers who are with Angel Organic.

Gerald is the last person I thought would be into yoga, but he’s really enjoying it. I think it helps that his better half is in the class. (Note, Donna is Gerald’s wife, and better half. When asked about this comment moments later, Gerald verified the statement with a loud "Yeah" and a smile.

Angel Organic volunteer Michael gently helps Donna with this stretch.

Donna stretches by herself to loosen up before the yoga class began.

Donna said, "I'm a twisted pretzel" as Michael helped her with this stretch.

Angel Organic volunteer Laura provides some assistance to Donna for this stretch.

Jessica Keeps In Touch With Friends Through Email

This email was sent to Imagine!'s Communications Coordinator, Gary Stebick, from Jessica, who said that sharing the email with followers of the Imagine! Voices blog followers would be cool. It is exciting that more and more people served by Imagine! are embracing technology and using tools that are available to them to keep in touch with their friends. The words Jessica typed are all included, only a few minor spelling changes were made.

Dear Gary,

 Hello, how are you? I am hanging in here. I start track and field tomorrow.

I am down that Ted (CORE/Labor Source employee) is leaving at the end of the month. It is hard for me not to cry. I am sensitive we are very very close in friends.

On Wednesday I get my new knee brace@ 4:00 p.m. I start sports and games next week.  (a class with CORE/Labor Source). I hope you are feeling better. I don't like me arthritis but I have to deal with it in the rain and snow.

Have you seen the movie of Jackie Robioson #42? I hope you have a great weekend. Please keep me in prayer as I do for you daily. Say hello to Jim when you see him please. Thanks for the article you sent. Write back soon please. Have a good weekend stay warm.

sincerely from one of your best best friends. Jessica

Mandy Appreciates The Angel Organic Yoga Volunteers

This blog post was provided in a face to face conversation with Mandy at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome Thursday night. Mandy was participating in a yoga class that is offered to the residents of the home by volunteers with Angel Organic. Mandy whispered this comment to a friend at the end of the yoga class, referring to the yoga volunteers, Michael and Laura.

They are very generous people to volunteer their time, and they are sweet people so we like to have them around.

Michael assists Mandy with an arm stretch.



Laura has Mandy reaching out her hands to grab Laura's hand.



Mandy is enjoying this stretch, with Laura's assistance.

Laura gently helps Mandy with this leg stretch.

John Says "That Was Incredible" (Yoga Class)

This blog post was provided in a face to face conversation with John at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome last night. John was preparing himself physically and mentally for a yoga class that is offered to the residents at the home by volunteers who are with Angel Organic. Here is how he described the yoga class.

“We stretch and shut our eyes and think about what’s going on right now, not what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day.” After the class, John stood up and proclaimed, “That was incredible.”

Below are some photos of John at last night’s class.

Before the class began, John streched by himself to warm up.

John clears his mind.

John is about to assume the same position as Rebecca.

John and Rebecca drift off to imagine the pleasant sounds,
sights, and smells of the jungle.

Jessica Is Excited To Be Walking The Bolder Boulder

This blog post came to us through a phone message from Jessica and returning her call.

Hey, this is your friend Jessica. I just wanted to tell you some possible good news. It’s a good possibility that I might be walking the Bolder Boulder and doing track and field. If you get a chance give me a call back. Talk to you soon.

The phone call was returned, and we got the following information from Jessica.

I just got back from my doctor a couple minutes ago and I got the OK to walk the Bolder Boulder and to do track and field. I get my knee brace tomorrow. I can even play softball too. For the track and field, which is through Special Olympics, if I qualify I get to go to state in Grand Junction and have a chance at winning a medal. When asked what she likes about the Bolder Boulder, Jessica replied, “Getting my picture taken, seeing people I know, and the bands are pretty cool too.

John Went To Disney On Ice Saturday

This blog post was sent via an audio email from John to his friend Gary.  Gary will provide an update on this blog regarding what game John is referring to after he gets the chance to stop by the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome and play the game.

Hi, this is John. I hope that you had a good Easter. I am hoping that you can come over and play a game with me sometime. Saturday I went to the Disney on Ice, it was about a treasure thing and it was fun. I just want to say hello. I hope you got to play an April Fools joke on someone last week. Bye bye. 

Kenny Enjoys Art Class

This blog post and photo were sent to us in an email from Erika Alvis, Program Coordinator for Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source department.

As you can see by the picture below, Kenny enjoys his time in art class. Kenny is an active participant in the class and enjoys working with art instructor Bridget to try new things, such as mixing colors.

Gerald Experiments With Color Mixing For His Artwork

This blog post and photo were submitted by Erika Alvis, a Program Coordinator for Imagine!'s CORE/Labor Source program.

In the photo, Gerald is experimenting with color mixing in preperation to paint his canvas for a June 28 art show at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder.

Gerald Will Spend Some Of His Paycheck at Outdoor World

This blog post was sent to us via an audio email by Gerald and one of the counselors at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome.  Gerald chose to have a verbal conversation in lieu of using his Dynavox computer to communicate with. Below is the information Gerald wanted to share from this conversation.

Hi. On Saturday there was an Easter egg hunt at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. The Easter egg hunt was won by Gerald and his wife Donna. They found 12 eggs each. They won big. Next weekend Gerald is going to Outdoor World (a fishing equipment store) with Whitney, and he is excited to be going there but isn’t sure what he will buy yet. Gerald has spending money that he earns at his job at Twisted Pine Brewery in Boulder.

Donna Says Easter Weekend Was A Blast

This blog post was submitted by Donna via an audio email. Donna is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder and she is very skilled at sending audio emails. (she taught me how to do it in less than five minutes). The house had an Easter egg hunt Saturday and apparently Donna and her husband Gerald found the most eggs.

Hi people, This is Donna and I was in an Easter egg hunt (Saturday) and I found a lot of Easter eggs and candy. I also had a church friend stop over and give me some Easter stuff, and it was a blast. Hope to hear from you soon.