By Meghan McCormick
November 14, 2008 01:58 am
—
Robin Neher was born with cerebral palsy.
She understands the world was designed for the able body. But Neher doesn't let that stop her from enjoying life.
Stop by the Among Friends Activity Center any Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, and most likely, you will find Neher talking with her friends as she plays a board game.
"I'm with people who have similar issues," she said.
Neher uses a wheelchair, but she doesn't let her disability keep her from reaching goals. She graduated from Noble High School in 1991. She likes to grocery shop and attend church. She also lives in an apartment on her own.
Neher also knows she can't do everything.
"You have to acknowledge your limitations," she said.
She said at times, she can be pride-driven. She considers the staff and clients at Among Friends her support system.
"They always tell me if you need something, don't be afraid to ask," she said.
Neher said she found Among Friends about four years ago. A short time later, she decided she wanted to be independent and live by herself.
"I like the support because when I was looking for an apartment, they helped me," she said.
Among Friends Executive Director Cathe Fox said anyone with either physical or developmental disabilities is invited to the organization.
"Our main goal is we are just a place for people to come, get out of their homes, develop social skills and make friends," she said.
Fox opened Among Friends Activity Center in 2003.
"Since that time, we've served over 100 clients and families in the community," she said.
She introduced Among Friends to Norman because she understood the need for the activity center.
In November 1997, Fox's 16-year-old daughter Jennifer suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of a car crash.
"She was left with physical and mental disabilities," Fox said. "When she finished school there was nothing for her to do except stay home and watch TV."
The organization meets 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 1-4 p.m. Thursday at the Community Services Building on the corner of East Main Street and 12th Avenue Northeast.
Fox said most Among Friends clients live with family members. An activity center gives both clients and families some time away from each other.
"We offer respite breaks for family caregivers," she said. "This is really the only break they get."
Fox said inside the activity center, clients interact with those who live with similar disabilities.
"They can all show improvement," she said. "Our clients are wonderful helping each other."
She said it's common for a new client to feel shy at the organization, but as he or she spends more time there, that person gains confidence.
Fox said Among Friends wants to provide people with disabilities with opportunities to build social skills.
"We found many clients have been diagnosed with depression," she said. "They forget how to be around other people. By getting them out, they develop skills and can maintain healthy eating habits.
Fox said the center offers social activities such as games, arts, crafts, bowling, dances, bingo, outings, movies and music. Among Friends hosts a dance the fourth Friday of each month from 6-8 p.m.
"We show movies here a lot," she said.
Fox said visiting a movie theater can be challenging for people with disabilities because sometimes there aren't enough parking spaces. A wide-screen television was donated to Among Friends.
"We can have our own movie theater," she said.
Neher said the Among Friends staff showed her with any challenge, most often, there's a solution right around the corner.
"The one thing this place has taught me is there are nice people in the world," she said.
Transportation can present an obstacle for people with disabilities, but Neher said thanks to CART, she can go shopping, eat at restaurants and run errands.
She said grocery shopping at a store has proven difficult because she needs assistance from someone at the customer service desk with a shopping cart. Between making her way through store aisles and finding someone to help her, there's not much time for shopping.
"If CART is picking you up at 5 o'clock, that doesn't give you much time," she said.
Neher said some services aren't easy to find, but most are within reach.
"That's why I'm grateful for the Community Services Building," she said.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com
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