THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407220253
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
AT A RECENT bowling party sponsored by Family Services of Tidewater Inc., a gutter ball created as much excitement as a strike or spare would for the average bowler.
But the bowlers that day at Franklin Bowling Center and Video Arcade weren't ``average.''
They were adults with mental disabilities, special people with special needs, said Beverly Mayfield, mental health coordinator for the non-profit agency.
She enjoyed watching their exuberance as they cheered each other's victories, giving one another a ``high five'' even when the ball rolled into the gutter halfway down the lane.
``It didn't matter,'' Mayfield said. ``It was something they had achieved to get the ball rolling down the lane. Whether it made it all the way didn't matter. . . . ''
Mayfield works two days a week in Franklin, bringing Family Services' activities to mentally disabled adults and to area families with children who have disabilities or special needs.
The program, headquartered in Suffolk, expanded about six months ago to Franklin, where activities at first were limited to one afternoon a week. That soon grew to two days weekly.
And on the fourth Tuesday night of each month, Mayfield coordinates a meeting of Parent-to-Parent, a support group at Southampton Memorial Hospital for families with children who have disabilities.
A similar group meets at Obici Hospital in Suffolk on the first Tuesday of each month.
Mayfield works with parents to help them cope with their children's special needs.
She assists them in acquiring hearing aids or other equipment their children need and in finding funding sources to pay for them.
One family she worked with had a 6-year-old boy who had a learning disability and could not write. But Mayfield found he could use a computer.
``He was not able to write his name, but he could type it in the computer,'' she said.
One of the most satisfying aspects of her job is helping families teach children with disabilities to be as independent as possible, Mayfield said.
``The greatest fear of parents with children with disabilities is `What's going to happen when I'm not here?' '' she said.
Mayfield schedules monthly outings for mentally disabled adults from the Franklin and Suffolk areas, planning a variety of activities.
This fall, Mayfield will start a Moms Group for mentally disabled mothers. The support group will meet at Berkley Court. Participants will learn about nutrition, cooking, food spoilage, personal and dental hygiene, and basics such as reading or writing.
The mothers also will receive some free food through the Food Bank, Mayfield said.
Her job brings many rewards.
``I love people,'' Mayfield said. ``God gives each of us different talents, and I really believe mine is the gift of helping.'' MEMO: Mayfield can be reached from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and from 9 a.m
to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays at 217-A N. College Drive, Franklin, or by
calling 562-3306.
Family Services also provides free, confidential financial counseling
through Consumer Credit Counseling Service at the same location.
Leah-Beth Williams, a full-time counselor, can be reached from 9 a.m to
5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday
and Wednesday.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Beverly Mayfield works two days a week in Franklin, bringing Family
Services' activities to mentally disabled adults and to area
families with children who have disabilities or special needs.
by CNB