About 50 years ago, Indian Creek Homes was incorporated, and 8 adults with special needs moved into a residential group home on Indian Creek Road Farm in Harleysville. One member of that newly formed family was Carol Menser. Carol was in her late 30s when she moved into the group home, having been referred to our fledgling organization by some of her church friends.
Although Carol went on to live independently for many years following her initial group home experience, she is now retired and living in our residential program once again. Carol recently attended our monthly Prayer Breakfast and sat for an interview. Carol’s story is a very special one, and we are delighted to share it!
Carol Menser and Joe Landis
Institutionalized for Family Reasons
Carol was born in Indiana, where she had two older siblings and a younger brother with special needs. After Carol’s father died, her family moved to Pennsylvania. Following that move, Carol, her sister, and her younger brother were all placed in the Pennhurst residential hospital for the mentally disabled. It’s important to note that Carol did not have an intellectual disability. Her brother did, and her mother wanted Carol and her older sister to watch over him at the institution. Carol is not the only individual who was institutionalized due to family circumstances rather than legitimate need during the 1950s.
At Pennhurst, Carol was separated from her brother anyway, so she couldn’t keep an eye on him. Her sister was able to get married, which allowed her to get out of Pennhurst fairly quickly. Carol did not have that option, as she was only 14 when she was first placed there. She was given the job of caring for young children, as well as some adults who could not care for themselves. Carol lived and worked at Pennhurst for about 12 years. In 1963, she was given a test to determine her level of disability. When the staff realized that she did not have a disability, they released her. Her brother, unfortunately, died while institutionalized at Pennhurst.
Carol’s years of institutionalization left her ill-equipped for living independently. She was not well educated, and the environment had taken a serious toll on her development and maturity. She spent several years struggling to manage life on her own. Then Carol began going to church, where she quickly made friends who loved her and were concerned for her well-being. They connected her to the new group home program that was just beginning.
Skills and Training for Genuine Independence
Carol was one of many early residents of Indian Creek who had the ability to live independently, but not the skills. In the group home setting with well-trained and compassionate staff, Carol finally had the support she needed to reclaim the life Pennhurst had taken from her. Within that safe and encouraging environment, Carol quickly learned to manage her money, cook, and handle the rhythm of daily life. She decided to move out of the group home and into an apartment. Indian Creek staff still checked in and helped Carol as she continued to gain new skills, but she was highly independent for 23 years.
Of course, once Carol was on her own, she was very eager to work. She understood the importance of earning an income and enjoyed the opportunities it provided. Indian Creek staff helped her learn the job skills she needed, and she worked as part of a cleaning crew for her entire career. She earned Associate of the Month at least once, and she was often recognized as a highly valuable employee.
Outside of work, Carol was leading a thriving social life! She had a wonderful church community at Spring Mount Mennonite Church, where she attended up until a few years ago. Now that she needs a wheelchair, she attends Salford Mennonite Church so that she can use the elevator. She was a founding member of Harmony Theater, a theater company for adults with disabilities. She played the Wicked Queen in a production of Snow White there, and is proud to be the theater’s oldest member. Harmony is where Carol still enjoys dancing, which is probably her very favorite thing to do. She earned a variety of medals through Special Olympics for both bowling and softball, and she also likes to have a fun night out with friends to play Bingo.
Flexible Services for a Range of Needs
Carol’s story is an example of the success that many individuals can experience with Indian Creek Foundation. People come to Indian Creek at various ages and with various needs. Everyone receives individualized services so that they have the right support to pursue their goals and interests.
For someone like Carol, who was very successful living independently, that support comes in the way of skills training and assistance with the bigger responsibilities of adult life. We call this our Unlicensed Residential program today. Others do well in a semi-independent arrangement called Lifesharing, which places adults with a local family who will help and support them. Carol entered a Lifesharing arrangement with a loving family when she got older and needed a bit more help in her daily life.
Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities who require full-time residential care are accepted into one of our 28 group homes in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Our residents have a great deal of autonomy and receive support to acquire job training, engage in sports or the arts, travel, and enjoy their social activities. Now that Carol is nearly 89 years old, she has returned to group home living so that she can enjoy her retirement years comfortably and with easy access to medical care and physical assistance.
Like many people who receive services from Indian Creek, Carol has built a huge family of friends to fill her life. She has always had a cheerful optimism, and she enjoys sharing wonderful memories about her friends, church, and work. People who have been blessed to call Carol their friend always have a funny story to tell about her sharp wit and huge sense of humor. Carol’s inner joy is infectious, and most people can’t help but smile when they get to spend time with her.
Serving Every One is our Mission
Carol’s story is a profound one, not only because it spans the entire history of Indian Creek Foundation, but also because she is living proof of what’s possible when we personalize the mission. At Indian Creek Foundation, we believe that by serving every one, we will meet the needs of many people in our community. The goal is to recognize every person who qualifies for services as a unique individual who can and should be supported in enriching their own life and contributing to their community in the way they desire.
We are doing ambitious work here, and that takes a lot of resources! Every day, we see clear evidence that every effort is worthwhile. We are thankful to be rooted in a community of generous and interested supporters who help us carry out our mission. And we are grateful for our staff of compassionate professionals who bring positivity and leadership to work every day.
If you would like to learn more about Indian Creek Foundation, whether to pursue services, employment, volunteer opportunities, or donation options, please contact the applicable department from our Directory page. We look forward to getting to know you!