#GivingTuesday with Kim Bastoni: My Daughter Is More Content Now

 Making the decision about who will take care of your loved ones isn't always easy.  Before Kim Bastoni and her daughter, Nicole, often called Coley, came to Marrakech, Kim spent a lot of time researching different agencies.  “I did my due diligence,” she says.  “Since Marrakech wasn't a known provider in my area, I spoke to other families and people who were knowledgeable about Marrakech.”

What she learned convinced her that Marrakech was the right choice for her family. “I think my daughter is more content now than before,” Kim says.  “I’ve seen her mature a lot.  Her caregiver doesn’t treat her like a disabled person, but treats her like an equal and gives her a lot of respect.  She has freedom and flexibility to make her own choices.   This is a direct result of Marrakech.”

A Part of the Community

The relationship began when Kim was looking for a home for Coley.  “Initially Marrakech had me looking in towns that were farther away.  I finally said ‘I can’t drive for hours to see my daughter.  I need to have her close to home, where her connections are and where she grew up.’”  Working together, Kim and the staff at Marrakech were able to find a house in Nicole’s childhood community.  “It’s so important to treat the agency as a partner,” Kim says.  “I believe that parents should be involved because when we help, our loved one’s experiences are the best they can be.”

In her new home, Coley lives a full, more independent life.  “The staff gets her out into the community.  She loves swimming, so she goes to the local high school to use the pool.  She loves animals, so she visits all of the area zoos.  She attends the summer concerts at the beach.  She volunteers, she goes out to dinner, she goes shopping,” says Kim.  “The staff made the transition a success.  My daughter’s caregiver has been with her for about a year and I hope she stays with her for the next ten!”

Making a Difference

These experiences are a part of Marrakech’s vision to have all consumers live and work in their community and be accepted for their individual qualities and contributions.  “The leaders at Marrakech are passionate about what they do,” Kim says.  “They’re not just doing it because it’s a job.  They’re doing it because they want to make a difference.”  The broad scope of services, including residential, educational, and employment programs, demonstrate the organization’s innovative thinking and dedication to the people it serves.  “Marrakech is looking for holistic solutions,” she says.  “They empower their staff to be creative and find solutions.”

Now that she and Coley are part of the Marrakech family, what would Kim say to other parents who are searching for an agency for their own families?  “I would tell them that Marrakech’s heart is in the right place,” she says.  “It is a flexible and accommodating agency.  They will do whatever they can to meet the needs of your loved one.  And you can’t ask for more than that.”

Please consider supporting Marrakech’s work to help people live full, more independent lives in their own communities:

·        A $10 donation buys a consumer lunch at a local restaurant.

·        A $15 donation pays for a consumer’s ticket to visit a local zoo.

·        A $25 donation buys pots and pans for a consumer moving into a new home for the first time.