Roger’s Shining Light                            

Roger’s story is sad but beautiful. It is a Testimony to the Strong Spirit and Will-to-Live on Roger’s  part, and the Love and Strength on the part of his parents and family to do everything they could to help him to have the best quality of life possible. Upon hearing the devastating news of his birth injury, and trying to come to grips with that, Wiley said to Anne, “Let’s take him home and love him.” And so began a long journey that they never departed from, come what may.

It is a Testimony to the dedication of Dr. Becker and the Staff at the Northern Virginia Training Center, the many Friends, Family, Volunteers, and visiting Church groups who came on Sundays to provide worship services and music, which Roger loved, and the visiting Pet program.  Volunteers helped the Parents build a Nature Walk and Garden and helped to alter clothing to fit the residents as needed; helped with Proms and formal dances.  A Boy Scout made huge wind chimes for the Garden; Girl Scouts sent handmade Christmas cards & decorations for Christmas and Easter. 

It is a Testimony to the Tireless efforts of the Parents and Associates of NVTC who meet every month to work toward making life more comfortable and pleasant for their loved ones, holding auctions to raise money to purchase additional medical equipment and funds to help send residents to summer camps.  They built a Therapeutic Playground with the help of Volunteers.   The P&A group has been a force beyond measure to stand up for the fragile Disabled in the Training Centers around the State. They visited and wrote to State and Federal Legislators, and so much more.    

It is a Testimony to the VOR, a national group that works for the betterment of living conditions for all who are intellectually disabled.  The local Civitans also have devoted their time and efforts, and brought Santa Claus and Christmas parties and donations.

Most of All, it is a Testimony to Roger’s Mother whom I want to call Saint Anne, for loving and caring and devoting her life-long efforts in his behalf. She knew and could read his health situation better than anyone. She provided the continuity of his care in her mind and in her heart. Through the years, she tirelessly visited him four days a week, making a 40-mile round trip each time; she stayed at his bedside during the countless hospital stays; she served as a working member on the P&A of NVTC board since its inception.  And so much more.  And she never complained. 

When I picture Roger in my mind, unable to speak to say if something was hurting, I see his beautiful blue eyes full of Trust and anticipation, looking at his Mother, knowing she is about to do something to bring him comfort in some way, as she always did. And I see his eyes light up and that little smile when he enjoyed the music.  One favorite was, “This Little Light of Mine.”  I think he understood more than we expected.  Often, he and Anne would call me on her cellphone and I would be so happy and cheerful and sing him songs over the phone and ring a bell or beat a drum, and he would smile and look around at his fellow residents as if to say, “Hey, you guys, I’m getting a Phone Call !” Those phone calls seemed to give him a boost of self-esteem. 

We shall miss Roger. He had a sweet, gentle nature and He never complained. He endured much. He also gave back, as he communicated with his eyes. We could tell when he was pleased. And that pleased us.

God bless you, Sweet Roger. You have not lived your life in vain. You have taught us to see life from a perspective that we would not know about, had you not been here to show us.

So now you can get that Rest you so deserve. And share the Joy of Heaven with your Dad and family who have been waiting to Welcome you Home. And you shall not be forgotten by those of us here who love you and are missing you.  Not Ever.          

                                                                     Lovingly, Aunt Jan