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University Daily Kansan, December 2, 1982
Benjy, at left, shows his excitement as he rolls a bowling ball toward the pins during KNI's first bowling tournament. The song, above, is played and sung by foster grandparents to express their feelings for residents of the Institute.
400 residents get loving care
School serves special students
Staff Reporter
By DONNA KELLER Staff Reporter
Echoes of laughter and happy chatter are heard within the brightly lit halls of the Special Purpose School of the Kansas Neurological Institute in Topeka.
Many of the KNI residents have multiple handicaps. Auditory, visual or motor disabilities, often in addition to hearing, limit their understanding of the world.
Their abilities are different, their personalities are unique, but each of the nearly 400 residents is given a lot of tender loving care, according to Kathy Menzie, director of volunteer services and public relations.
"TWENTY OR 30 years ago, parents would put their child in an institution and forget him. Menziue said, "That's how I felt," many people, are really involved now."
Not all families, however, were able to care for their children during home visits, especially as the child got older. Menize said.
“It’s easier to care for the little ones.” Menzie said. “But some require more attention.” Parents get older, a lot of the things may get too hard for the parents to do”
The average age of KNI residents is 20 years, she said.
At one time, reference to a state
institution conjured an image of gray walls, dim lights and forgotten people. KNI does not fit that image.
THE BRIGHT GRAPHICS and cheery decor speak a Midwestern theme in the seven buildings, with each name reminiscent of Kansas — Wheatland, Cottonwood, Mendowark, Pleasantview, Honey Bee, Sunflower and
Many of the residents are now eagerly engaged in making holiday decorations to deck the halls of KNI with the vulture spirit.
So that the days preceding Christmas pass in a whirl of festive celebration, Volunteer Services organized an Adapt-A. Unit program to involve the community in making the holidays special at KNI.
Church, civic and professional groups, and local businesses may sponsor a holiday party for one of the 30 living units at KNI.
Connie Thompson, director of the foster grandparents program, begins the holiday adoption program several times a year. She was director of Volunteer Services.
THOMPSON SAID she wanted to make the holidays more personal for her children.
"Christmas is a time of giving, sharing and loving." Thompson said. "We wanted the residents to have the emotional contact that goes with these feelings."
Menzie said that in addition to parties, the sponsors could also give a gift to the unit such as a small kitchen appliance or games and puzzles. Small, inexpensive gifts for the 14 to 16 residents in each living unit would also
Eleven such parties are already scheduled for this month, Menzie said.
LARRY WILLIAM, secretary to the Fraternal Order of Police, Topkala Lodge No. 3, said this was the first year that the group had adopted a unit at KKU.
"We asked for the least adopted group. We'll be purchasing individual gifts for residents, and buying a unit gift," he said.
The Topeka Fire Department will sponsor its four holiday party for the KNI residents.
"It really warms your heart, especially this time of year," said Ken Tilghman. fire department inspector
PATTY COO, manager of McDonald's Restaurant, 2001 N. Topeka Ave. said this would be the second year that he had adopted a group of KNI residents.
Coon said the McDonald's staff had wanted to do something special for people less privileged and less able to themselves during the holiday season.
"Just to see their faces when they opened their gifts meant as much to us to give as it did for them to receive the gifts," she said.
Cheryl, above, paints Christmas ornaments as part of her class's holiday activities at the Kansas Neurological Institute. Foster grandmother Bessie Cook, at right, spends time walking with her new friend, Andrea.
Story by Donna Keller Photos by Buddy Mangine
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