The APD and Merica House sponsored a 2½ hour Zumbathon Fundraiser on March 17th at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Arlington, VA. It was organized by Lynne Myhre and Kathy Shields, two board members of the Alliance for the Physically Disabled.

The event was a huge success as well as tons of fun for the participants. Local Zumba instructor, Gaby Macias, brought a team of Zumba instructors and led a roomful of fitness buffs and beginners in one of the most enjoyable types of exercise available. There were representatives from APD to help with set up and  three residents from Merica House to enjoy the “dance”.

The instructors all donated their services, the church donated the use of the hall, and Mitch Opalski, the Board Treasurer, donated bottled water. Our thanks go out to everyone who made the event so successful.

The Zumbathon raised $486.00. We hope to have another Zumbathon soon, so watch for more information and please plan to join us next time.

Harry Merica spent all but nine years of his life in institutions. His severe physical disabilities required 24/7 care, but he was still a young man inside and wanted to live an independent life in the community. He dreamed of a home where young adults like himself could live together, have more control over their lives and contribute to society, yet still receive the 24/7 care they required.

Merica House was established in 1995 to bring Harry’s dream to reality. Today, Merica House residents enjoy high quality care yet retain much control over their own lives, unlike in a nursing home. They also have the companionship of peers, other “younger” adults like themselves who have severe physical disabilities, which they would not have if they lived in nursing homes or alone in separate apartments with personal care aides coming to care for them. At the same time, the cost of Merica House is significantly lower than the cost of either nursing home or individual care, saving the commonwealth of Virginia tens of thousands of dollars each and every year.

Residents take part in community activities, use public transportation with assistance, attend workshops, help with fundraising for various causes, go shopping, eat out with family, and more. They talk, watch movies and listen to music together, help each other with problems, tease each other playfully, and make plans together. When they want a break, they retire to their rooms, either private or shared with one other. They enjoy a quality of life and care that would be impossible on their own or in a nursing home, and it is cost-effective. A recent study showed a resident living at Merica House rather than in a nursing home saved the state over $11,000 a year. In addition, the residents of Merica House have their total independence to come and go as they wish.

by Lynne Myhre, Past APD Board Director

Merica House residents are so thankful to the Falls Church Garden Club for generously giving of their time and talents to beautify the patios. The flowers are blooming, the herb garden is multiplying, and the tomatoes are growing.

In the photo below, Helen Transue, President of the Falls Church Garden Club, Debbie Wagaman, Program Director, and Linda Martin, Past President are left to right in the back row. Deirdre Shields and Matt Renfro, two of our residents are in the front row.

Merica House is home to four women and three men with a variety of severe physical disabilities. The Alliance for the Physically Disabled has helped to make possible the dream of Harry Merica for a home that would allow independent living for severely physically disabled adults. Too often the only option is living out life in a nursing home or other institution. By living together these adults can share the cost of rent, aides, and staff. Many people volunteer time, skills, and resources to truly make Merica House home for these seven.

Thank you for taking some time to learn more about this way to make life better and more cost effective for the severely physically disabled.

Cathy, Deirdre, Joe, Matt,  and Maureen

Your Friends at Merica House