“I think one of the things that’s fantastic here at Quad is the staff are respectful, and the conversations are not just about the life of being a Quad but life in general.” Meet Brenda, resident of six years at Quad Inc.. Originally from McMinnville, Brenda is a born and raised Oregonian. After high school, Brenda attended nursing school at the Good Samaritan School of Nursing and became a cancer care nurse.
In 1999, Brenda was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive disease that causes muscles to gradually weaken and break down. After diagnosis, Brenda had to leave her job at the Good Samaritan; “It was tough and a challenge because nursing was my life.” During the progression of her Muscular Dystrophy, Brenda had to make life changes from moving out of her family home and into a smaller apartment that could accommodate her needs. She then moved to an assisted living facility and an adult foster home. During her experience in an institutionalized care setting, Brenda explains “the culmination of all the loss [of personal liberties] was difficult.”
After a few years in her adult foster home, Brenda found out about Quad Inc. and applied for housing. After getting the call about a vacancy, she moved into her new apartment. Brenda had to adjust to the independent style of living that Quad offers because she regained many of her personal liberties back that had been taken away during her time in assisted living. For Brenda, “there were adjustments […] but I am impressed with the help we have.” After six years of living at Quad, Brenda thrives in her everyday life and adjusts to the progression of her Muscular Dystrophy with the support of attendant care staff.
Looking towards the future, Brenda reflects on her past and the impact she can have on others; “One of the things I loved about being in the nursing career was being able to teach patients, family, staff, students and being taught myself. That is something I am hoping as my disease progresses – that will be an aspect of my disease that I can pass onto staff, caregivers, and other residents.”