Living in a Group Home During COVID


My brother Joe lives in an EP!C group home. He has lived in one of these homes since 1997. He works at the EP!C workshop. Like all of us, Joe's work and comings and goings have been curtailed by COVID.


Joe's current home is on the edge of Peoria, across the road from a golf learning center. Above is the backyard of the home. 


Joe has been more or less on a lockdown since COVID hit. He normally goes to our parents every weekend, but this has not been possible during the pandemic. He has very thoughtful family and friends who have sent him special gifts during this time. Above, Joe wears a t-shirt with a photo of him as a young boy on the pony, Cookie, that my grandpa got for his grandchildren. Mom and I delivered it to him from a gracious cousin this week. In the first photo of this blog, Joe is wearing a cap, a gift from a friend.

Though Joe lives in a group home most of the time, he participates in our family get togethers. Above, he is pictured in semi-annual gathering at Lake Bloomington, KillianFest, a couple of years ago.

Here we are in 2019 after having a picnic on the grounds of our childhood home, now a spot on Bradley University's campus. (the circle of flags)


Here is Joe, smiling broadly with the family MVP, mom.


Joe, enjoying a glass of chocolate milk at his sister Maria's place.


Here Joe is on the front porch of his brother-in-law John's home.

Joe celebrated his 50th birthday in 2016, with family and friends below, at the Fieldhouse.



Above is Joe with mom and dad in front of their home. We are looking forward to this pandemic ending and Joe being able to come home on weekends. In the meantime, he is handling the changes and isolation with aplomb! 

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