Only the Beginning

Adam Ginsterbum is a generous, polite and well-spoken young man who also happens to live with a developmental disability. A going-away party was held for Ginsterbum in honor of his graduation from Watertown (Wis.) High School in June 2006.

Those gathered at Bethesda’s day services building in Watertown celebrated the time they had shared with Ginsterbum and wished him well. He was a polite host, proudly wearing a new “Class of 2006” T-shirt, and made sure to meet all of the guests and offer them punch and cake.

This wonderful occasion took on a bit of a bittersweet tone because Ginsterbum’s high school graduation marked the end of his five years of participation in the day services program. It also signaled the end of working with the day services staff members who had been his consistent and trustworthy guides down the path that lead to the achievement of the goals he desired.

None of his goals was more important than earning his high school diploma. And now that Ginsterbum has completed that goal, the next phase of his life is ready and waiting.

Like all participants in the day services program, Adam lives with developmental disabilities that not uncommonly make life in public schools difficult. According to Marti Joers, work trainer evaluator for Bethesda’s day services program, Adam’s first summer session at the day services program was precipitated by a request from his school. It was believed that he would benefit from the consistent support of the day services staff, and the structure that occupational training would provide.

Joers reports that Ginsterbum was 14 years old when he started the day services program and states that his behavior was that of a typical teenager, which is to say that his actions and attitudes were two areas that he and the day services staff agreed they would work on together.

According to Karla Kwapil, Bethesda day services instructor, it turned out to be a fortuitous pairing. Ginsterbum was able to work with a staff that was consistent in both message and actions. What the day services program received in turn was a quick learner who did not give up on any new task until he did it right.

Both Joers and Sharon Storrs, teacher assistant for Bethesda’s day services program, had a firsthand look at Ginsterbum’s development, as both worked with him for the entire period in which he attended the day services program, and as you can imagine, they are very proud of his achievements.

As the year-round sessions passed, Adam mastered most of the tasks that are done at the day services program, and according to Storrs, his positive attitude and strong work ethic served as examples to others. Because Ginsterbum communicates so well and has a generous nature, Storrs reports that he quickly became a mentor to other individuals in the day services program, and always made sure to make time for them.

After graduation, Ginsterbum is eager to do community work and give something back to the community. It is a sentiment that surprises no one who knows him, especially Joers, Storrs and Kwapil. In the future, Ginsterbum hopes to continue traveling with his mother, whether it is another cruise or trip to Tennessee. In addition, he will also continue attending plays and musicals at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wis.

It will be fascinating to see where the outstanding support provided by the day services program and his own fine character and abilities take Ginsterbum in the future. But wherever it may be, he will always have the love and encouragement of his friends and the people he worked with at the Bethesda day services program in Watertown, and with that kind of support, his future will surely be a bright one.