By: Gail Kirkland
Words come thoughtfully and sparingly, but when he speaks the message is clear, genuine, and sometimes surprising. This 15-year-old Puzzle Pieces client flashed a rare dimpled grin as he said, “I’m gonna be famous,” in regard to his interview. “People will say, ‘Hunter, Hunter, can I have your autograph’? And I’ll say, ‘Yes’.”
Hunter Ross, who has autism, easily wins the heart with tender words and generous hugs. “Every single day Hunter gives each of us a hug; he doesn’t miss a day,” said Amanda Owen, whose inspiration for Puzzle Pieces was her brother, who suffers from a chromosome disability. Amanda taught six years in an MD classroom at Burns Middle School and many of her 18 staff members are also education majors.
Although Hunter’s autism sometimes creates frustration if he cannot do something perfectly, his well adjusted, relaxed attitude, and total enjoyment of his surroundings are more than apparent. “Well, my favorite thing to do is spend time with you guys,” Hunter told Amanda as we sat talking.
Hunter actually gave Puzzle Pieces a book about how to talk to someone with autism, and that book helped him meet and make friends with Cody, who also has autism.
Along with the enjoyment comes an expectation of responsibility. Each of the clients is given chores. Hunter takes his vacuuming and trash emptying assignments seriously and conscientiously completes his chores without complaint. In fact, he eagerly tackles his list of after school chores—daily.
Hunter’s love for Puzzle Pieces came through in every aspect of our conversation. “The coolest part is when school’s out, because I can be there all day,” he said. Generally the facility is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., with adult clients present primarily in morning hours and students there during the afternoon. Both city and county buses provide student transportation to Puzzle Pieces.
Hunter attends Puzzle Pieces Monday through Friday. He beamed as Amanda described the dress-up, Christmas dance, complete with Winter Wonderland decorations and a DJ—all of which Hunter planned and carefully designed. He and his twin sister recently celebrated their birthday together at Puzzle Pieces. Clearly, Amanda’s goal of creating “an extension of home where they can be with their friends” has taken root with Hunter, as well as the other 40 clients who come from Daviess, Ohio, Hancock, and Butler counties.
As for the upcoming Color Blast 5K Fun Run (March 23), Hunter is slated to help with all the preparations. His main responsibilities include precisely packaging the 4-ounce color packets for each of the anticipated 1,500 runners to toss at the conclusion of the race. He and his mom, Misty Harney, will be participating in the race, along with 10-15 other Puzzle Pieces team members. The remaining staff members, parents, and clients will be volunteering at the race.
Amanda readily admits the daunting task of organizing what some feel will become Owensboro’s largest annual 5K event, a take-off on nationally-acclaimed Color Runs. Nonetheless, she has two clear goals: to recognize the positive impact and abilities of individuals with special needs and to spread awareness throughout the community. This fundraiser allows the six disabilities-oriented groups with mutual interests and oftentimes mutual clients to work together toward a common goal. March is Disabilities Awareness month.
Puzzle Pieces keeps those abilities at the forefront of all they do. Each craft sold in their Community Store—dog treats, laundry soap, theme-based plates, and jewelry—carries a special, heart-felt message: “Know me for my ability, not my disability.” Those crafts, by the way, are so exceptionally popular that PP had to turn people away during the holidays, because they could not keep up with the demand for the clients’ crafts.
From a warm, friendly greeting upon entering the Frederica Street building (once the Boys’ and Girls’ Club) to the obvious kind attention given to each individual within the colorfully decorated facility, Puzzle Pieces seeks to provide “a safe and structured activity day facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities and promote independence, life skills, community involvement, social interaction, communication, and most importantly build trusting relationships between clients, staff, and families,” according to their web site.
Hunter, a Burns Middle School student, has never participated in an event like the Color Blast before, but his excitement and eager anticipation are obvious, as is his love and admiration for Puzzle Pieces AND Amanda, who sits alongside him. “It’s like I’m their big sister,” she said with a beautiful, broad grin. Her message is clear, genuine, and not at all surprising.