Meet the Queen!

The bonds, friendships and interactions between staff and clients at St. Ann Center mean as much to the staff member as it does to the client. One example is Sandy who works in our Southwest Unit, nick-named The Queen, and Jo-Ann who comes to the center Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Jo-Ann spent 3 weeks creating a special sign, crown, cape and royal staff for Sandy as a surprise birthday present, even though no one knows when Sandy's birthday is. Sandy spent all afternoon showing off the card that reads:

To the Queen: Your kindness has made all the difference. Thank you very, very much.

 “I’m glad you are there for me every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I look forward to seeing you. Also I like helping you around St. Ann’s. I’m glad that you ask me to help you. I’m so happy that you welcome me back when I miss a day or two. I hope you enjoy your birthday present (whenever your birthday is) also enjoy your sign. I’m happy I have a good friend like you.” - Jo-Ann

Thank you to our clients and staff who do the little things to show they care, because those little things make the biggest difference.

Darby's Dash Welcomes Special Guest - Wickett!!

St. Ann Center is excited to welcome Wickett as our special guest at Darby’s Dash. Wickett is a 5 year old Shih Tzu/Pekingese Mix on wheels. In 2010 Wickett and his owner Sarah were in a car accident that left the young dog paralyzed. From then on his life in a two-wheel cart could not slow down this exceptional little dog. Still full of life, he immediately took to his wheels and now, he is even training to be a certified therapy dog. 

At Darby’s Dash – St. Ann Center’s first ever pet-friendly and family-fun 5K run/1mile walk – participants will have the chance to meet Wickett and Sarah.  Darby’s Dash was created to honor the amazing volunteer dogs that visit St. Ann Center on a daily basis to spend time with our adults and children at St. Ann Center.  Wickett will not be staying home just because of his condition, and this event invites our pets, family, and friends to come outdoors and enjoy a community event and engage in an active lifestyle regardless of life’s challenges. Wickett and Sarah’s story relates closely to the lives of St. Ann Center’s clients – especially those who have their own wheelchairs. Read Sarah's perspective on how Wickett has changed her life; plus, how he continues to inspire her and everyone they meet.

Wickett on Wheels

“To say that my experience with Wickett has changed my world would be an understatement. Our car accident and what happened to him was the worst day of my life, but it turned into something really unique and beautiful. It has changed every part of my life, from my career to the way that I think about the world and being more attuned to the needs and situations of animals and people around me.”

In Early 2010 Sarah and her energetic Shih Tzu / Pekingese mix were on their way to work when they were T-boned by another driver speeding through a residential neighborhood.   Both Sarah and Wickett were badly injured.  Wickett shattered one of his spinal vertebrae and was instantly paralyzed.

“I asked my Grandma, who lost her leg below the knee to complications from a heart attack 10 years ago, what she thought about the idea of a dog in a cart. As a person living in a wheelchair, did she think it was mean to do this to a dog? Did she think his life would be happy? Her answer was the only one I needed to know, that I was making the right choice with Wickett. She said that yes her life was different after she lost her leg, but it was still her life and she loved it, and, if anyone tried to put her down she'd BITE them--and she thought that Wickett would say the same!”

For Sarah, caring for Wickett and his new needs was never a question, it was just a continuation of the promise she made when she adopted him.  After much medical care and casts, they created a wheeled cart to allow Wickett to continue living a fairly normal dog’s life.  It took some adjusting, but Wickett quickly learned that he could still do many things that other dogs do. Wickett is a perfect example of how happy and healthy an animal with a disability can be, given the right home care and love. 

“When we go to the dog park he is always a topic of conversation and a really good opportunity for people to see his smiling face and maybe change the way they think about handicapped pets. He is very physically independent with the help of his cart, and at the dog park he will run across the field faster than I can to go meet new people and visit. I get every reaction from ‘Aww’ to ‘That's so awesome’ to ‘That poor thing, you should put him down’ to ‘I couldn’t do that’.  People often praise me for caring for him.”

Sarah’s sentiments resonate with caregivers and so many clients’ stories at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, where people of all ages and abilities receive day services.   Whether loved ones are elderly, disabled or 4-legged, they all deserve to experience life and quality care even through life’s toughest challenges. 

“I never imagined how much Wickett would change my life. I have a best friend and companion in everything I do, and I have an opportunity in a compelling way to educate people and to pass on Wickett's love of life. He inspires me to be grateful and smile and always remember that the worst day of your life can turn into the best path life ever set you on.”

Meet Sarah and Wickett at Darby’s Dash on Saturday, October 4th at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. This event will be our first pet-friendly and family fun 5K & 1 Mile Walk/Run. All ages and abilities are welcome to participate.  For more information and to register for this great event please click here>

Respite is Care for the Caregiver!

Anyone who takes care of a loved one knows what it means to get a welcome break – no matter how dedicated they are!

This is what we mean by respite-supporting the person who gives care as much as the one receiving it.

We’d like our community, especially the many dedicated caregivers, to know about our 24 hour overnight respite care center.

St. Ann Center offers this care (from 1-20 days) to frail elderly and adults with disabilities. This gives caregivers a chance to take a few days off, go on a vacation, or maybe stay at the hospital worry free while their loved one is in good hands.

We often say St. Ann Center is someplace you have to see to believe, from the beauty of the center to the care shown to the clients. The nine bed respite center is set up like a European village with each private respite room decorated to look and feel like a bed and breakfast room. The bed and breakfast feel lets the clients who stay in there feel like they are on vacation, comfortable and surrounded by beauty.

St. Ann Center currently has room in its respite center and is always accepting new clients. Even if you don’t need respite – you might know someone that does. We are happy to answer your questions or offer you a tour any time, just call Sarah at 414-977-5033.

Below is a testimonial from the family of a respite client.

“What can I possibly say to express the refuge that I have found at St. Ann Center over the past few weekends? I even think that I could do a commercial testifying to the personal care and concern that you and your staff have shown to my dad. Checking once and sometimes twice for accuracy of the meds dispensed, to the gentle care in the respite center only confirms all the wonderful things I had heard prior to his stays. Thank you and St. Ann Center for an outstanding care center.” Kathy Anderson

St. Ann Center is open to the public 6:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m. Monday – Friday.

A heart warming site on a cold winter day!

Mornings can be crazy in the lobby at St. Ann Center – people coming and going, staff coming in for the day, clients arriving on buses, caregivers dropping off their loved ones, parents dropping off their sometimes crying children, housekeeping trying to keep the floors clean and dry in these wet winter months.

As I watched the clients arrive I was humbled as I usually am by the amount of care and concern the staff shows to each and every person that arrives through the front door. One arrival in particular caught my attention - Marta a woman in her 20’s. She was seated in her wheelchair bundled from head to toe with hat and scarf, large winter coat and blanket on her legs. Marta can’t speak but she has the most infectious smile. Today, as she’s greeted with a friendly “good morning” her nose is running from the cold. The caregiver who greeted Marta sees her and says “Oh honey, let’s wipe your nose, that must be uncomfortable,” and she gently wipes Marta’s nose. Marta returned the favor with one of her beautiful smiles.

Marta is unable to wipe her own nose, she’s unable to dress herself, she’s unable to feed herself, and she’s unable to go to the bathroom by herself. These are all the things that the staff at St. Ann Center provides for her along with loving companionship. It really was a very heart warming sight to see!

BEATITUDES for caregivers of people with Disabilities

Blessed are you who take the time to listen to difficult speech. If I persevere, I can be understood.

Blessed are you who never bid me to “hurry up” or take my tasks from me and do them for me. For I often need time, rather than help.

Blessed are you who stand beside me as I enter new and untried ventures….myself and you.

Blessed are you who ask for my help. For my greatest need is to be needed.

Blessed are you who, with a smile, encourage me to try once more.

Blessed are you who never remind me that today I ask the same question twice.

Blessed are you who respect me and love me just as I am.



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Join St. Ann Center at the Memory Walk Oct. 3

A team of over 20 staff at St. Ann Center are ON THE MOVE getting ready to participate in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk on Saturday, October 3. This is a terrific opportunity to participate in the movement to end Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, brings together family, friends, caregivers and concerned community members — who all want to make a difference. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million to help those battling Alzheimer's disease. (stats from www.http://www.alz.org/sewi/)

St. Ann Center Shepherd House serves over 60 clients with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. You can still register for Memory Walk today and help us raise even more.