Barbara Finds Friendship and Purpose at Easterseals

At 71, Barbara, who receives Senior Day Services from Easterseals in Brea, Calif., is so energetic as she talks about her many, varied interests, that it seems like she could use another day in the week.

Born and raised in Corona, Calif., she is the only girl of four children. Now living with her youngest brother, she worked at a bird clinic and later as a courtesy clerk bagging groceries at Vons before retiring. “Working at the bird clinic was messy. You had to feed them first before you swept up,” she laughs, sharing a useful tip.

A Life Reimagined 

“When my parents passed away, I knew I had to come back and take over the house and take care of Barbara,” said Joseph, Barbara’s brother. “She needed to be somewhere when I was working and that was Easterseals. I’m retired now, but I do all of her cooking cleaning and laundry.”

“I’m a homebody,” admits her brother. “She loves being out of the house. Otherwise, she’d be on her tablet 12 hours a day, seven days a week—Healthwise it wouldn’t be good for her, physically or mentally. She loves going to Easterseals and being around people. It keeps her active and busy … and it’s a break for me.”

Agrees Barbara, “It would be boring to stay home. I like to stay busy and I have a lot of friends here. I come to Easterseals and have coffee with friends and today we’re making mocktails, non-alcoholic beverages.” 

Every Day is an Adventure

Outgoing and with a passion for art, she loves to draw and paint and teaches art classes for her ADS peers, as well as hosting crafts, “Travel with Me” and Zumba/music classes. “I love Zumba. It’s good exercise and I like all sorts of music—rock ‘n’ roll, merengue, salsa, Bad Bunny, Michael Jackson.” 

She also loves playing word games, shopping, and going out to eat—and is an adventurous eater. She also enjoys reading, playing bean bag and Wii bowling, singing karaoke, traveling and watching television.

A big animal lover—she has a 14-year-old maltipoo named Sofie—she particularly likes TV programs about wildlife and nature. National Geographic is a favorite and she still talks about seeing pandas at the San Diego Zoo! 

A Road Map to Fun!

A YMCA member, she is a seasoned traveler and loves going on trips organized through the Y’s New Horizons travel program for adults with special needs—especially enjoying trips that involve flying and include hotel stays.

“I do love cruises. You can enjoy dinner and a show and the club for dancing. I got a little bit homesick but at the same time I wish I could live on a cruise ship. But my favorite place I’ve ever been is Vegas. They’ve got all kinds of stuff there,” says a woman who likes a lot to do. “And I won $100 at the casino, which isn’t bad.”

Next up? “I’d like to go to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore,” says Barbara, who has visited the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, French Quarter (giving a thumbs up to beignets over doughnuts) and Space Needle, among other iconic landmarks. “And I’ve never been to Chicago. I don’t like sports much but they have hotdogs at the stadium.”

The Bear Necessities of Happiness

And if that weren’t enough? “Oh yeah, I collect teddy bears,” she says. “I have about 200 of them—small, medium and large.”

“She definitely doesn’t like to be still,” laughs Jasmine Hernadez, Barbara’s Life Skills Coach at Easterseals. “She’s great to have around and a good friend. I ran into her once at a Target store when I was with my family and now they all ask about her.”