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Opportunities for Evelyn by Susan Mikula Campbell
“I’m good for 90 years old,” said Lutter as she started on her second piece of birthday cake – yellow cake, her favorite. Joining the celebration Friday at the Opportunities Unlimited day services building on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield were former and current staff members and friends from both this and other programs for the developmentally disabled in which Lutter participates. She’s a special lady. The oldest of 12 residents in the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara community residence in Wheatfield she now calls home, Lutter also is one of two individuals with developmental disabilities aged 90 or above in Niagara County and one of 16 in the seven counties of Western New York, according to Roxane Albond-Buchner, OUN manager of communications. Lutter grew up in New Jersey and moved to Niagara County as an adult. After her parents’ deaths, she lived with her uncle and then a neighbor in Medina, before coming to Opportunities Unlimited in 2004. Lutter is quick to flash a happy grin for the camera. She may be 90, but she doesn’t sit around waiting for the grass to grow under her feet. Not only did she have her hair done that day, but before the surprise party, she also, as usual, played in her regular Friday recreation bowling league. “I got three strikes,” she boasts. At her residence, she’s the unofficial greeter and keeps track of what everyone is doing. “Someone referred to her as the great-aunt everyone has who was always in charge of social activities and comings and goings,” said Albond-Buchner. Lutter volunteers in the OUN greenhouse and loves the cooking club, where they’ve made chili, peanut butter cookies and even canned tomatoes from the garden for use all year round. She and her housemates often visit patients in local nursing homes, enjoy movies together and on Saturdays play bingo. “Almost all of our seniors are very active,” said Lucy Wilson, site supervisor at Lutter’s residence. In addition to providing plenty of social, physical and intellectual activities for its growing senior population, OUN staff keep track of the seniors’ physical and mental health. More than 200 participants in OUN programs are considered seniors. Some like Lutter have outlived their families. Upcoming OUN open houses (see sidebar story) will provide information on all programs available for the developmentally disabled, young and old. “Basically, we try to put the right puzzle pieces together for an individual and their family. It’s not a cookie cutter approach; there’s really an individual plan for each person,” Albond-Buchner said. Last spring, OUN officially dedicated a new Senior Sensor Room, made possible by a venture grant from the United Way of Niagara. Those stopping in the room experience gentle stimulation of the senses through adaptive lighting, sounds and textures. One of the photos in the new OUN brochure shows this room. Posing happily is Lutter. After collecting plenty of hugs and kisses at her party, Lutter turned to a table piled high with gifts. What do you get for someone who is 90? There was a watch, a wallet, a stuffed toy that made her laugh, a deck of cards (she plays solitaire every day), warm fleece sweaters, perfume, jewelry and a musical jewelry box. “She’s a real girly-girl,” said Wilson.
OUN plans open houses Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara will hold a “Reaching Beyond Special Education” open house from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield, and from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at 107 Heath St., Lockport. The open houses will provide information for students with disabilities, as well as parents, special education staff, and advocates about programs and services, people who can help, the diagnosis process and options after high school. Presentations will be held at 4 and 6 p.m., with prizes and refreshments at both locations. RSVP by calling Jane Hattaway at 434-4050, ext. 422, or e-mailing jhattaway@opportunitiesunlimited.org. |
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For her birthday party last week, Evelyn Lutter was all decked out with beads, earrings, lavender nail polish and a glittery tiara on her freshly permed, white hair.
