When Linda’s son, Luke, was diagnosed with mild mental retardation and a learning disability at age six, not knowing how to take care of him scared her the most.

“There was no rule book when I was raising him,” Linda said. “I had to find out everything for myself.”

So, in the little town of Thompson Falls, Montana, Linda did just that. She began researching and attending conferences for parents of children with disabilities. She even founded Sanders County United for Disabilities, the first support system of its kind in Thompson Falls. As a parent, Linda treated her son like any other mother.

Nothing comes easy

“Growing up, Luke wanted to do everything,” Linda said. “I would never tell him he couldn’t. I always wanted him to try and find out for himself.”

This attitude helped Luke accomplish more than many imagined. In high school, he made the football team, wrestled and took shop class.

But everything did not come easy for Linda and Luke. In school, Luke was bullied by a teacher.

“There was a teacher that made Luke the joke of the class,” Linda said. “Luke confronted him. I confronted him. Thankfully, the special education teacher was able to solve all the problems.”

In 1998, Linda was faced with yet another unknown. Linda’s husband took a job in Wichita and the whole family was forced to move.

“I was scared to leave Missoula. The town helped to parent Luke,” Linda said. “Wichita was big and I didn’t know what to expect.”

She was pleasantly surprised.

“Wichita is a mecca of help for people with disabilities,” Linda said.

Soon after her arrival, Linda came in contact with The Arc of Sedgwick County. This United Way-funded agency improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families through education and social development.

Since her introduction to The Arc, Linda has not stopped volunteering for programs that help people with disabilities. She has served on numerous committees including the Endowment and Ladies Luncheon for The Arc. She has also served on the executive board of Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization and on the board of directors for The Arc for five years. In addition, Linda runs her own payee business, where all of her clients have disabilities.

Luke’s independence

The Arc has also played a large roll in Luke’s life. With Linda’s parenting and The Arc’s case management program, Luke is almost completely independent. He cooks, owns his own house and car, works part-time and is even married.

Even with these accomplishments, Linda knows Luke still needs assistance. But with his house only two blocks away from The Arc, she can rest easy.

“I worry about what’s going to happen when I’m gone,” Linda said. “But I know... Luke will always have a friend and safe place to go [at The Arc].”

Article by Ryan Schafer