Our Residents
Meet the residents of Merica House (video)
We each have a story to tell and would like you to meet us.
My name is Cathy Parr. I was born in Memphis, TN. I have had spastic cerebral palsy since birth. I moved with my family to Fairfax County, VA when I was 6 years old. My parents live in the area, as well as my brother, his wife and their twins. When I graduated from Falls Church High School in 1990, I moved to a group home in Prophetstown, IL, since there was no appropriate living arrangement to be found in the area. There I worked on skills I would need to cope with my severe disability in a community living environment.
I also received a certificate in Word Processing from Sauk County Community College. I use one finger of one hand to access my computer and am quite good at getting around on the Internet. I would love to have a job, but have not yet found the right match for my skills.
I enjoy ceramics, poetry (reading and writing), dancing (I have my own style!), and music. I am very interested in fashion design and would like to do it on the computer.
Cathy won Miss Wheelchair of Virginia in 2021-2023 & used her public persona to advocate for the disabled.
Cathy was invited by apartment management to participate in their Board Meetings and attends in an effort to ensure that ADA standards are followed. In the summer of 2024 Skyline Plaza installed a pool lift for the disabled at their pool and said it was due to Cathy’s advocacy. In addition, they are working on making their playground accessible to disabled children.
Cathy was one of the first residents of Merica House. This has been her home for a long time. Her favorite food is fettuccine Alfredo. Her favorite type of music is soft rock. Her favorite movie is “Fame” and her favorite TV show is “Dukes of Hazard.”
Cathy loves to cook (with assistance from an aide).
I am Deirdre Shields and have lived at MH since 2001. I am 36 years old years old and a graduate of Perkins School for the Blind in Waterstown, Mass. It was there where I learned the skills of independent living and it is here that I use them in my daily life.
I have been diagnosed with an unknown probable white matter disease of the brain. I had what seemed to be normal infant skills up to about 7 months of age and then neurological symptoms developed and over the past years it has left me blind and a quadriplegic.
I moved to Williamsburg, VA three years ago with my parents and one sister and it was there that I met Millie Becker, one of the founders of Merica House. Through her encouragement and help, I applied for residence and have since enjoyed living with the other clients and maintaining my independence.
See more News from Dee
Robyn Schuler joined us in June of 2022.
Robyn is a spirited, independent and energetic young lady. She works at Home Depot five days a week. She takes her job very seriously. Robyn grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where her Grandparents and Parents still live.
My name is Matt Renfro. My family lives in Gainesville, VA., about 30 miles west of Washington, DC.
I was born 9 weeks premature, weighing 2 lbs. 12 oz. and spent the first 11 weeks of my life in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I have Cerebral Palsy (CP).
I attended public school from pre-school through high school, taking regular education classes. I graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, VA. in 2004. I enrolled at Strayer University right out of high school, so I don’t have any work experience yet. I am working on a BS degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS). I’m a big sports fan especially tennis, golf and college basketball. Also, I enjoy reading a good mystery novel.
See more News from Matt.
Joe Durbin grew up in Northern Virginia. At an early age he suffered from Glaucoma. Joe graduated from high school then worked several jobs, answering telephones. His employers included AT&T, Virginia Hospital Center and Pizza Hut. These employers provided special equipment to enable Joe to perform his duties, despite his deteriorating sight. Joe earned a sound technician certificate, which he hoped would pave the way for a career in sound engineering, once he lost his sight.
Joe eventually lost his ability to walk due to a traumatic brain injury suffered when he fell victim to a physical attack. Joe possesses a dry wit and sense of humor and loves reading murder mysteries and enjoys listening to music.
