Meet Ryan: A New Resident

Ryan is on the move. In fact most recently, he moved into one of our new residences for individuals living with brain injury in Foxboro. Ryan has his own bedroom decorated with photos of family and friends and a pet fish named Angela. He enjoys going to the fitness center, playing board games, and arm wrestling. Twice a week he volunteers at a local hospital making sure packages and letters make it to the correct recipients. He’s not far from his family and sees them often while still enjoying the space and comfort of his own home. When asked what the best thing about his new home is he says, “Freedom.”

One of the growing areas at Riverside is homes for individuals living with a brain injury. Last fall we opened two brand new locations in Foxboro and Watertown. Each residence has been designed to meet the needs of the people living there and is staffed 24/7 to help with daily living tasks, skill building, social activities, and community outings.

Sarah O’Connor is the senior site manager for several of our acquired brain injury residences. In a typical day, she says staff members spend their time interacting with people at home, doing activities like puzzles and games, and preparing meals. They’ll get out of the house and hit the road, getting people where they need to go, whether it’s a trip to the supermarket or a day program. They help people achieve their individual goals, such as finding volunteer opportunities, working on speech or mobility, and integrating with their local communities.

What’s next for Ryan? He’s hoping to secure supported employment with one of the local hardware stores where there is plenty of room for him to move and help customers find the things they need for their next home improvement project. We hope to see him in one of the aisles soon!

~Scott M. Bock, Founder and President/CEO