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Kareemah
Kareemah is in her early twenties and has a smile which lights up a room. She giggles a lot which
is so contagious. Kareemah was diagnosed with Turners Disease when she was a small child and with
Machida Joseph's Disease (aka: SCA3) when she was a teenager. At age 22, Kareemah for the first
time move out of her parent's house into Kate's Home.
Kareemah was pretty much a shut in when living with her parents. It was not her parent's fault.
It is very common for disabled individuals living with their parent, to become shut-ins. Parents
have to work and the disabled child is left at home without activities. Kareemah's mom, asked their
neurologist is there were any resources to get her daughter involved with the community.
The doctor referred the Kareemah to Lynn Robinette of the Wishes 4 Me Foundation. A few days
later, Lynn, Kareemah, Kareemah's family met and talked about various options. Kareemah decided a
few days later to move into one the Wishes 4 Me Foundation's Homes, known as "Kate's Home".
Kareemah is no longer a shut-in. Weekly, Kareemah is now experiencing new things for the first time
in her life. Kareemah's smile gets bigger each week - it that is possible. Kareemah volunteers
at a local Assisted Living Facility twice a week. Kareemah attends church every week with her
housemates. Weekly, Kareemah and Jenny participates in a Prayer Shawl Ministry at the First
United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville. Kareemah has learned to crochet and knit. She is
currently making a prayer shawl for the ministry. Kareemah enjoys going to the movies on a
regular basis. One evening, Kareemah and some of her new friends, went out to eat and attended
the play Annie at the Fox. Kareemah experienced several new things that evening. It was a joy
to see Kareemah at the Fox Theatre watching the play. Kareemah would sing along with the
characters as though she were on stage herself.
The Wishes 4 Me Foundation has assisted Kareemah in various ways. Ms. Robinette of the foundation
worked with Kareemah and her mom in getting Kareemah's first manual wheelchair ordered. Ms.
Robinette's experience with Kareemah and with wheelchairs assisted the Seating Evaluation Clinic
with several recommendations. The Foundation assisted with getting Kareemah on the SOURCE
program which is a Georgia Medicaid Waiver program which provides caregivers to assist Kareemah
with her daily activities. Kareemah has participated in various community events since she
moved into Kate's Home.
Kareemah will be participating in the Wishes 4 Me Foundation's 5th Annual Walk / Role for Independence.
She greatly appreciates anyone sponsoring her in the event. To sponsor Kareemah, you just need to
follow the instructions on the walk brochure attached to our walk page of the website. You can
also join Kareemah at the event. You will not want to miss out on the opportunity of winning a
HD - LCD TV which is being raffled off at the Walk / Role of Independence.
Thank you for helping Kareemah to stay active in the community.
To become involved, please, contact Lynn Robinette at
Lynn.Robinette@wishes4me.org or 770.982.0275.
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