For someone who treasured his routines, Amir Samaan had a lot of tolerance for disruption, especially if it was his own good-humored mischief creating the havoc. Seemingly everyone had a good time with Amir – his family, everyone at Lifestyles for the Disabled and at his Mount Loretto group residence, even the clergy at Archangel […]
Amir Samaan, 39, a caring jokester loved to work and play Read More »
Coletta Lurlean Bailey was a woman on the move. Tall and stylish, she was often at the center of a group of friends having a good time. Depended on for her honesty and humor, she had strong opinions about what she wanted and didn’t hesitate to try something new or advocate for something better. She
Coletta Bailey, 48, lived life with style, humor and determination Read More »
Sheila Alamo has a fond memory of her infant daughter Tanasia locking eyes with her and smiling. “She stared at me intently and smiled,” said Ms. Alamo. “Almost like ‘Mommy, I’m going to be ok.’ It was comforting.” Known for her hugs and unconditional love from the moment she met you, Tanasia, with smiling light
Tanasia Alamo, 25, had a gift for therapeutic hugs and a passion for pro wrestling Read More »
Sonya Alexander was in her happy place when she was dancing. “Even when she was in my belly, when you play music, she would dance,” said her mother Rety Alexander. Sonya was born with Downs syndrome in the Bronx in 1994. Mischievous and independent, she loved stylish outfits and appreciated good food. On April 5,
Sonya Alexander, 25, was a dancer from the start Read More »
Wherever he went, Sal DiBenedetto had a good time. And having a good time for Sal meant making sure that everyone else was having a good time too. Stocky and bespectacled with a neat white beard, he was a powerhouse of energy. His gravelly voice was a familiar sound wherever he was, whether singing or
Thoughtful and gregarious, Sal DiBenedetto, 59, wanted everyone to have a good time Read More »
The late Teri Russo thought she knew all she needed to know about her gregarious, red-headed son Kris. She knew he was outgoing and mischievous, but she didn’t realize the expanse of his social circle until his death when people from all over his Pleasant Plains neighborhood expressed their condolences. They all knew Kris because
Kris Russo, 45, aspiring chef, put a smile on every face Read More »
Grace Valdez will be missed by all her friends. Chorus or solo, she loved to sing. Little things like a cup of coffee or a soda would make her day.
Grace Valdez, 56, enjoyed the good things in life: coffee, friends, a song, a prayer Read More »
The Cat and The Horse, two familiar animals, became the main characters in the College Group’s fables written during the Writing a Fable Workshop at Lifestyles for the Disabled. With the simple formula of teaching a lesson through a story that has animals for characters, fables can have a surprising variety of characters types and
The Cat and the Horse: Lifestyles Foxy Fables Read More »
With animals as the main characters, what better place is there than the local zoo to inspire writing a fable? That’s where the Lifestyles for the Disabled’s College Group met while participating in a Writing a Fable Workshop. The Staten Island Zoo inhabitants stirred the imagination for the creation of some funny, rebellious, sympathetic and
Writing a Fable: All Happenin’ at the Zoo Read More »
A rebellious peacock, a distracted osprey and a clueless horse: The Writing a Fable workshop at Lifestyles for the Disabled led to the creation of some memorable and charming characters, entertaining stories and thoughtful words to live by. With experience working independently, the College Group members wrote their own fables with discussion and feedback from
Writing a Fable: Stories and Words to Live By Read More »
