Retired now after over thirty years in the workforce, Jody has been dealing with his disability for the span of five decades. However, the heartbreaking loss of his sight did not cause Jody to lose his sense of humor.
“ L
Enriching
Each Day, Together
ife is too short,” Jody says as he sits on the patio of Landis Adult Day Services, relishing the fresh air and sunshine as he listens to the birds singing. He loves to be outdoors; he always has. He reflects on beautiful memories he spent with his family at their cabin and camping out in the yard.
He has a wife, daughter, and three grandchildren whom he dearly loves. When asked how often he gets to see them, Jody quips, “I don’t…I’m blind!”
Complaining isn’t in Jody’s vocabulary. He speaks openly about his blindness, never making others feel they must tread lightly on the subject. On the contrary, he’s been known to joke with the staff at ADS, saying such things as, “Let me sit by the window so I can see outside and watch people.”
Te only time Jody seems to get emotional about his loss of sight is when asked what he wishes he could see. With a lump in his throat, Jody confesses it is his family.
People truly matter to Jody. Perhaps that’s why he’s so beloved by the staff and his friends at ADS. Leone Wagner, the Activities Coordinator at ADS, says that when Jody walks in the room, he has the “Norm” effect, referring to the iconic character on the sitcom Cheers. Everyone looks up immediately to greet him with enthusiasm.
Jody is an encourager. He loves to lift people’s spirits, especially those he knows are hurting. When asked why, Jody explains how the removal of his brain tumor in his teen years affected his outlook on life: “I know what it’s like…when I had my operation for the first time, I was given only six months to live.”
Obviously, he beat those odds exponentially— although, he will tell you he’s only twenty-five. He believes he can speak to those who are facing difficulty because he received the worst news possible, yet here he is!
Jody has served as a mentor to those struggling to come to terms with their blindness through his service at the Central Susquehanna Sight Services. “I just…encourage ’em,” says Jody humbly. “Live day-by-day because life is too short.”
Jody has been coming to ADS for a few years now and loves it here. When asked about the staff, Jody says with a smile, “Tey’re great…don’t tell ’em that. I don’t want them to get big heads.”
Always willing to jump into any activity and try new things, Jody inspires others at ADS. Whether it’s an afternoon game of cornhole out on the lawn or Bingo, Jody’s adventuresome spirit is contagious. He also loves to rile up the crowd with a country music request for his favorite artist, Brett Young, knowing his peers will groan since they prefer rock n’ roll.
It’s easy to see why Jody is a cherished member of the Landis ADS family!
Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2022 • 13
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