Writing on the Wall: Spring 2022

Listen With Your Heart
Communication is important in any
relationship. For Mackenzie and Provider
Jeanette Perry, it is the center of
their life together and takes multiple
forms. When conversation fails them,
they have found writing down what
they are trying to express for the other
to read helps clarify meaning. Working
to understand each other goes beyond
words. Jeanette describes when
they met. “I bonded with her immediately.
I told her mom I would not just
listen to her with my ears, but with
my heart.” The two were a match and
have lived together for nearly two
years. “Mackenzie is a funny young
lady. Kind. Considerate. Helpful.
Energetic. She keeps me going! She’s
just really fun to be with.”
That heart bond goes both ways. Of
“Ms. J,” Mackenzie says, “She’s
a nice person. I like her. She’s my
friend.” Mackenzie also notes what
a good cook Jeanette is, with chicken
pot pie and “mac ‘n cheese in the
oven” particular favorites. Jeanette
believes in providing Mackenzie with
as many opportunities to make her
own choices as possible. This extends
from meals to activities and beyond.
Those choices have created a life that
is full and busy! Mackenzie loves
spending several days a week at
Momentum 180 where she has many
friends. “I love my job!” she enthusiastically
shares, listing people she interacts
with there. They claim Fridays
and weekends as their days together
for chores and to just relax. They purposely
set no schedule on these days,
leaving them free to choose. Striving
for balance is key with eating out and
going to the gym to swim both named
as potential choices. Often they love
just getting in Jeanette’s red truck and
driving. Sometimes they have a destination
in mind, other times they decide
as they drive what local spot they’d
like to see that day. Nearby beaches,
local restaurants, and parks offer many
options, as does one of Mackenzie’s
favorite outings: shopping! She’s an
avid collector of all types of bags,
backpacks, and purses. Not only does
she purchase ones that catch her eye,
she also makes them! She creatively
combines plastic bags, paper, and other
materials to fashion each, sometimes
even including a handwritten note as
part of the design when making
one as a gift.
The tight twosome becomes a
trio to their shared delight when
Jeanette’s granddaughter Nyah
visits in the summer. Family
is important to both women.
Mackenzie is a proud aunt to
an adorable niece and shows
off pictures. She’s looking forward
to a return trip to Alaska
this summer to visit with her
brother and his family again. Closer to
home, Mackenzie and Jeanette enjoy
friendships with neighbors, church
7
members, and others. “People are
drawn to her,” says Jeanette. She also
lifts up the unexpected joy of gaining
a relationship with Mackenzie’s
family and her own family gaining a
relationship with Mackenzie as one
of the benefits of being a Sponsored
Residential Provider.
Jeanette has spent her career working
with people with intellectual disabilities
and mental health diagnoses, with
over 40 years experience including
working at Eastern State Hospital and
for local community service boards.
About two years ago, she decided to
become a provider because she was
“at a point where I didn’t want to
show up 9-5!” With her only child
grown, the house felt too big for one.
She knew she had room in her home
and heart for someone looking for
support she could provide. “It was
time to just enjoy life with someone
else. Enhance their life, as well as my
own.” As the stories continue to flow,
it is clear heart listening has indeed
led to an enhanced life for both Mackenzie
and Jeanette.
~Angie Covington
Center: Mackenzie with just a few of the
bags in her collection.
Above: Jeanette Perry & Mackenzie