‘I Want to Be the Bridge Over the Water’
That’s what Kenneth McCall ’13 says about working with intellectually disabled adults during the annual Marlins Make A Difference Day.
By Megan Z. Shearin | April 1, 2010
One volunteer experience working with intellectually disabled adults during a College soccer game was all it took for freshman Kenneth McCall to realize he could make a difference.
“It really wasn’t something I thought I’d be interested in,” said McCall, who’s pursing a major in Education. But six months ago he started visiting homes designed for independent living spaces by the Hope House Foundation. He’s visited 13 locations in the area (and counting), and his not-so-much interest has turned into a desire to help.
On Saturday, McCall led a group of Virginia Wesleyan students during the annual Marlins Make A Difference Day. Through the Office of Community Service, students partnered with Keep Norfolk Beautiful to clean up Barraud Park, with some help from their buddies at the Hope House.
“This is a population that has been segregated by our society,” said McCall. “Someone starts talking about the need to help children or animals and people flock. But when some talks about helping people with disabilities, people say whoa and back off.”“I don’t think that one can say that intellectually disabled adults aren’t normal. What classifies someone as normal? To me, we are all the same – it’s just that everyone is different and is made with a unique manuscript.” – Kenneth McCall
Those barriers are being broken down with the help of McCall. Alone, with the help of Virginia Wesleyan volunteers, he makes weekly visits to Hope House residents, where he eats dinner, plays games and engages in conversation.
“I can have a bad day and I know that if I visit with the adults, I will have a good day,” said McCall. “This is by far the most thrilling experience of my life.”
McCall hopes to organize a beach day with Hope House residents in late April. His biggest challenge is exciting students about this relationship as much as he is.
“My goal for this program is to have a sustainable relationship between the College community and the Hope House residents,” said McCall. “I want to be the bridge over the water.”
A total of 28 Virginia Wesleyan students participated in the Marlins Make A Difference Day, partnering with the following agencies: Rosemont Unit Boys and Girls Club, Norfolk Animal Care Center and the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.