CINCINNATI — Shipping and production delays are creating issues for problems that need to be addressed, such as fixing up old buses, which in turn affect adults with severe disabilities.
Katie Weinhiemer, 33, needs around-the-clock care to survive.
“She had a very traumatic brain injury when she was an infant, and that led to a whole list of complex and profound injuries both mental and physical,” said her guardian Patrick Kneipt.
Kneipt said she spends most of her time with the caregivers inside St. Joseph home in Cincinnati.
“She really enjoys interactions with staff and other residents in her cottage here at the home, but she needs variety, too,” said Kneipt.
That’s why something as simple as a bus ride sparks means everything for Weinhiemer.
The problem is the buses St. Joseph home uses to take adults with disabilities to their day programs don’t always work.
“It’s just over time, because we are using them every single day, the wear and tear on them, whether it’s small issues, major issues,” said Site Manager Shyanne Reid.
Reid said no matter the problems, she said the drive is important.
“With the different medical challenges they face, some things they may not get to do that adults get to do, but we try to find different things so they can experience things as we would,” said Reid.
It’s the reason last year, Jason White — a young man who goes to the day program — and his family helped to raise thousands for a new bus for St Joseph Home.
Organizers say production delays mean they’ll have to keep making fixes, so people like Weinhiemer can get around.
For more information about St. Joseph Home, click here.
