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2019 Winner Lillian Lombardi “Live Your Best Life” Award

Jackie O'Brien

ReFocus is pleased to announce Jaqueline O’Brien as the recipient of the 2019 Lillian Lombardi “Live Your Best Life” Award. Like Lillian, Jaqueline has had many
obstacles to overcome to get to where she is in life today.

Jackie moved into the School Street Group home on December 24, 2015. She had moved in as a respite from a Shared Living arrangement and needed more care and support than the Shared Living arrangement could provide. Living in a group home is very new to Jackie. She had once been married and living in her very own apartment, and working at Kent County Hospital for 30 years in the sterilization department. This new way of living became a very real adjustment for her when she became apermanent resident there. It meant that she would have to share her space with three other women, and  would have to get to know a variety of staff who would be helping her with many daily tasks.

It took Jackie a few years to truly become comfortable with this whole new situation. She began to look forward to spending time with the ladies who started as her

roommates and became her friends. Over this past year, Jacqueline has thrived. She
began attending her 1228 Day Program, five days per week, where she actively
participates in the program and looks forward to the next adventure. She takes the RIDE bus home daily from her program and attends all ReFocus parties and events. Jackie also has had to make some difficult health decisions this year. She was able to make an informed decision with regards to a surgery that she would need. She had the surgery and soon was very anxious to get back to her normal daily routines.  She followed all the doctor’s recommendations to ensure that she had a speedy recovery.

Jaqueline is a strong, brave woman. She has a wonderful sense of humor. She is caring and thoughtful. She works hard to succeed at all that she sets out to do. She should be very proud of all that she has accomplished this year.
We are very proud of you, Jackie.

Keep up the good work and always strive to be your best self!