SOUL PURPOSE PROGRAM
“Now where can a man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.” –Marcus Aurelius
The Soul Purpose Team:
Crystal Lopez, Ray Silkman, Michelle Mason, Deborah Gary, Janine Ingram, Rhea Henderson, Tyrone Watts, Landis Johnson (photo unavailable), Lisa Bower(photo unavailable), Tony Smith (photo unavailable), and Carol Kenealy (photo unavailable)
The Soul Purpose initiative was developed in May of 2010. The idea generated from Michelle Mason’s understanding that despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the individual diagnosed still has the desire to be nurtured, experience human touch, be understood and loved, enjoy and live in the moment with family, friends, peers, and the caregiver. Innately, we all do. It started as a pilot program at a long-term care facility in the southwestern suburbs as a basic spa day, which evolved into a holistic wellness program.
With the recruitment of local business owners and talents such as Landis Johnson( Make-up Artist to the Stars), Carol Kenealy( Licensed Massage Therapist), and Tyrone Watts( Ty Watts Photography) , Michelle implemented a program which was facilitated in an environment where all participants could, Relax, Revive, and Renew themselves and offered services suited for QUEENS and KINGS. At the end of each session, participants left with a nurtured soul and an instant photograph to preserve the memory.
Within a couple of months the program that served fifteen participants doubled, with clients being both male and female. The request from participants and their family members for additional services, expanded the program throughout the week. Services included but were not limited to: Tai Chi, Yoga, Motivational Speaking, Hairstyling, Body Art, and much more…. Guess what? The participants even created vision boards which tells the stories of what desires they have now and in the future. The demand for more brought on board: Ray Silkman ( Saxophonist) Janine Ingram (Motivational Speaker/Author), Tony Smith (LoveLace Photography),Rhea Henderson ( RH School of Performing Arts), LaQueshon Harris (Hairstylist), Deborah Gary(Paint On Me Inc.), and Lisa Bower ( Body and Brains Fitness).
One of the most memorable responses from a participant who has Alzheimer’s and is visually impaired was, “I can’t see, but it must be heaven.”
The Soul Purpose program continues to grow as Michelle Mason is a soldier at educating individuals and communities about Alzheimer’s and how they can help to eliminate the dis-ease (discomfort) of what it can bring, if we allow it to.
According to the National Alzheimer’s Association, studies have shown that African-Americans and Hispanics are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease. Michelle has begun efforts to integrate some of these services into the communities as a door to begin the conversation about Alzheimer’s disease and provide resource information to those in need.
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