I had the privilege of attending the funeral service for Paul W. Layden, Sr., M.D. this past Saturday. Dr. Layden was a volunteer at the Barber National Institute for 51 years. When Dr. Layden began, physicians were truly not interested in providing services to children and adults with intellectual challenges. Not Dr. Layden. He gave all the time he could, both personally and professionally.
Several times a month, Dr. Layden came to the Barber Center to see our children and adults who had orthopedic challenges. He would treat anything, from basic limitations in the hands and feet to more serious neck and back impairments. He was interested in each person as an individual. What was their name? Who were their parents? How long had they lived in Erie? And above all, how could he make their lives better?
He had an amazing working relationship with all the clients, and a great conversational style that was immediately calming. His memory for his patients was impeccable… even if he saw someone on an annual basis, he would remember both their personal and medical details. Medically, there was no one who knew more than Dr. Layden; he was an encyclopedia of knowledge. Teacher, mentor, friend, and family man, our clients became part of his family as well.
Did Dr. Layden make a difference? He absolutely did. His contribution to the Barber National Institute was invaluable. I feel truly honored to have worked with Dr. Layden and I know he will be greatly missed.
The Barber National Institute was founded on the belief that the right to work is a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, too often persons with disabilities are not considered for employment because of negative perceptions or the incorrect assumption that accommodating persons with disabilities will be cost prohibitive. On IDPD, we drew attention to the available technologies and measures that can create work environments that are open, inclusive, and accessible.
We at 
Is it possible? Ryan is turning 21 today! This is one of those special days where I love to take a moment to reflect on my journey with Ryan. I enjoy looking at his pictures that remind me of some of our “momentous” occasions, and I thought I’d share a few with you as well.
Hearts.
As I look back on the past 21 years of this journey, with its peaks and valleys, I’m very proud of who Ryan is, how he has grown and matured, and his numerous successes along the way. Today, his days are busy, divided between work at Bello’s Market and BNI. Before and after work, you’ll find him on the track or swimming at LECOM, or doing any of his favorite sports, including golf, tennis, skiing, and bowling.
Wouldn’t it be great to avoid the rush of traffic and rising early and instead shop from home, while supporting children and adults with special needs?
Brrr … it’s 14 degrees in Erie with a -2 wind chill. Three feet of snow is predicted, but the storm has stayed over the lake. Thanks to the generosity of PNC Grow Up Great, 
Karen Kyler, COTA, followed the laser light, a virtual brush. This extraordinary painting took 12 months to complete. Todd’s painting was also on display at our annual Art Show in April.
I had a great opportunity last week to attend the 
Grow Up Great will fund a project in which partners collaborate to promote families awareness of the importance of talking with their children to build vocabulary and help give them the skills parents need to do this effectively. Engaging older siblings, extended family members, and the community at large this program will assist families to develop positive routines and habits that support children’s development of vocabulary and concepts for the long term.
PNC Grow Up Great was initiated 10 years ago. There is no longer a conversation about why. Instead the conversation centers around access with quality. In 2004 states were spending $2.5 billion on early childhood education. Today they are spending $5.4 billion. The challenge going forward is to make early childhood education funding a priority and break the cycle of incrementalism.
Ryan and I were at the polls by 7:15 a.m. voting for our “favorite” candidates. Since he began voting at 18, I have stressed its importance to him. Typically we discuss the candidates a week prior to Election Day, identifying their position on various issues that we care about. Of course, supporting programs for children and adults with disabilities is right on the top of our list.
your vote.
