When Antonio "Tony" Maddox left a nursing home to live at home with family in Elmira last summer, his service coordinator at AIM, Tracie Johnson, asked him if there was anything he wanted, or anything he'd like to do.

Maddox said he wanted to go to a Buffalo Bills game.

Unfortunately, though, he wasn't quite ready for a game last season.

Maddox, 48, has Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic disease that causes fragile skin that blisters easily. He was homeless when he entered a nursing facility in his home city of Syracuse several years ago, where his condition deteriorated.

With the help of AIM's Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Program, Maddox was able to leave the nursing facility and go to live with his sister, Monique Freeman, in Elmira. Johnson arranged for medical equipment, sessions with health professionals and other services to help Maddox make the transition.

Having EB is comparable to constantly having second-degree burns all over the body, and proper wound care is critical.

Freeman, who works as a certified nursing assistant, took over the role of primary caregiver for Maddox. Under his sister's care, Maddox's condition has improved over the past year.

And Johnson didn't forget about his request to go to a Bills game. She contacted the team, and Bills' staff offered a group of tickets for the preseason game on Aug. 26 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The tickets are in the Goal Line Club, an indoor suite overlooking the end zone at the Bills' stadium, New Era Field.

The team also sent a package of Bills memorabilia, including an autographed football and photo, a blanket, backpack and flag.

Maddox plans to attend the Bills game with his sister, his son, and several of his nieces and nephews. He said he was overwhelmed by the gesture.

"When they told me, I was crying and everything," he said. "Tracie makes miracles happen. She treats me like I'm a superstar."

AIM Independent Living Center's programs for youths with developmental disabilities will begin serving new age groups next month.

 

AIM was recently awarded a Family Support Services grant from the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to expand its monthly social groups, quarterly social skills programs and summer day camps.

 

A new monthly gathering called Growing Stronger for youths ages 9-13 will begin this fall. Growing Stronger is similar to AIM's Learn & Grow Playgroup, which is for ages 2-8.

 

Both groups will be led by Kelly Sidari.

 

Learn & Grow features Sidari's "Music and Movement" program. For Growing Stronger, Sidari will have participants create skits based on their favorite books. Both groups will include arts and crafts activities, along with snacks and beverages.

 

Also, AIM will add a second session of Sibshops, a fun and educational monthly group for the brothers and sisters of children with developmental disabilities. There will now be Sibshops groups for ages 5-9 and ages 10 and up.

 

Learn & Grow, Growing Stronger, Sibshops and Tween Sibshops will be offered one Saturday a month at AIM's Elmira office, 350 W. Church St. They are scheduled for Sept. 22, Oct. 10, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27, May 25 and June 22.

 

The schedule:

Learn & Grow | 9-11 a.m.
Sibshops (ages 5-9) | 9-11 a.m.
Growing Stronger | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Tween Sibshops (ages 10+) | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

AIM will also expand its Social Skill Club to serve ages 9-13. This four-session program is offered quarterly in both Corning and Elmira. In addition, AIM will add a day camp for ages 9-13 next summer. The dates for these programs have not been set.

 

For more information or to RSVP, contact OPWDD Youth Specialist Amanda Gitchell at [email protected] or (607) 962-8225, ext. 210.

Jessica Harshberger has been chosen as AIM's Employee of the Month for August.