Mona Woodfox: A Blessed Life
Persons in our Supported Living Program
work hard and enjoy leisure, just like everyone else. If you or your
group could share a hobby or recreational activity with a person with
disabilities, let us know. Financial gifts are welcome, too. Call (504)482-2130.
Mona Lisa Woodfox was born on the Fourth of July, and her home is
decorated in red, whiteand blue. A longtime employee of Lakeside
Pets, Woodfox loves her job, friends, church, bowling and entertaining.
Like many New Orleanians, she lost all to Katrina and has worked to
rebuild her life.
This fulfilling life is far from typical. Woodfox has mental
disabilities and used to live in a group home. But for more than 14 years, with
the help of our Supported Living Program, Woodfox
has lived in her own apartment, with help from our staff. Facilitator Ellen Norwood and Direct Support Staffer
Patricia Jones provide just the right measure of support.
Always
flashing a big smile, Woodfox tackles challenge after challenge. She
doesn’t just get by, she shows that persons with disabilities can
flourish.
Woodfox has worked at the Lakeside Mall pet shop for more than two decades, and
owners Jon and Lindy Silverman sing her praises. “Mona is a terrific
person with a great work ethic.She has a wonderful smile and makes
everyone else smile. Mona is the nicest person on the face of the
earth.” Woodfox gets to work in a van for persons with handicaps, but
for many years she used public transportation, riding three buses each
way from New Orleans East to Metairie.
For 25 years, Mona bowled
on Thursdays at Rock & Bowl. Post-Katrina, she found a new league in
Harahan. She also attends church, and enjoys games on her laptop.
Woodfox has great resolve. If she doesn't understand a computer
function or if something needs to be repaired, she will take time to
figure things out. She has learned to burn her own CDs.
Never seeing herself as needy, Woodfox always wants to
contribute. Thirty years ago while volunteering at the American Red
Cross, she met fellow volunteer Violet Hamilton and her family, with
whom she formed a lifelong friendship. She also volunteered with
Community Christian Concern. Woodfox cherishes friendships and family,
always sending cards or gifts for holidays and birthdays. She recently
returned from Atlanta where she visited her former social worker,
another longtime friend.
During the storm, Woodfox’s apartment flooded and she lost her
belongings. But soon, Volunteers of America worked with her to finda
new apartment in Metairie, where she settled in, returned to her job and
started over with determination.
When Woodfox was born, she weighed less than two pounds. Doctors did
not expect her to live, much less walk and talk. She defied
predictions.
The philosophy of Supported Living is that persons with
disabilities do best when they can live independently and manage their
own lives--with appropriate support. Woodfox shows how beautifully this
philosophy takes shape in an individual life.