Individual Stories
Category Archives: Individual Stories
Randy Neuman
By legislative | Published: February 4, 2010
Randy joined the Spectrum for Living family in 1999. Randy originally came to the Closter Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) from residing at home with her mother. There are no obstacles that get in her way. Randy, even in a wheelchair, doesn’t let that get in her way of enjoying parasailing, horseback riding and many other [Read more... ]
Ariel Shiner
By editor | Published: January 8, 2010
In this day of corporate downsizing, upward mobility and nimble job-hopping, a 28-year career with one company is an increasingly uncommon commodity. It takes an employer who values dedication and loyalty and an employee whose contributions are needed and valued. Even more uncommon than most is a combination like the Wawa Food Markets and Ariel [Read more... ]
The Smetona Twins
By editor | Published: December 15, 2009
Student Michael Smetona likes using a computer and playing sports. His twin sister, Megan, enjoys reading and art. At The Bancroft School, each has gotten to focus on his/her individual interests and abilities — preparing the 21-year-olds for their own, unique paths after graduation.
“Bancroft has been able to tap into their particular talents and give [Read more... ]
Rev. Richard Cromwell
By editor | Published: November 30, 2009
For the Rev. Richard Cromwell, words are the tools of his trade. So when a stroke last year robbed the Episcopal priest and substance-abuse counselor of his language skills, he turned to Bancroft for help. Now, Cromwell is back in the pulpit, as well as assisting people with addictions.
I was able to learn how to [Read more... ]
Dalton Hanna
By editor | Published: November 5, 2009
Small miracles occur every day at Bancroft. But Steve and Karen Hanna credit Bancroft with something huge:enabling them to keep their son.
“Bancroft was the reason we adopted Dalton,”says Steve Hanna,referring to his 6-year-old son with autism. “Emotionally,we wanted to adopt him,” recalls Steve, “but we needed to know what we were getting into; we [Read more... ]
Armando Feliciano
By editor | Published: October 21, 2009
When Armando Feliciano came to Bancroft, he hardly talked. The seven-year-old had difficulty dressing, eating and using the bathroom without assistance. Frustrated by his autism, he would slam toys and throw himself on the floor crying — once even hurling a play chair through his family’s big-screen TV.
But after just seven months in Bancroft’s Elementary [Read more... ]
Bob Pignataro
By editor | Published: September 16, 2009
After being thrown from his car in 1990, Bob Pignataro experienced a severe brain injury that resulted in personality changes, disturbances in thinking and loss of memory and inhibitions. When he awoke from a five-week coma he transitioned to an acute rehabilitation facility, where he worked with therapists to resolve the more visible effects of [Read more... ]
David Maas