Quasif: Imprisoned No More
Quasif is a survivor. War, imprisonment, refugee camps, hunger and loss in his native Ethiopia—he has lived to tell about it all. Now 70 years old, Quasif (not his real name) has lived in the U.S. for ten years and has made Parker Skyview apartments in Minneapolis his home. But then a year ago, a stroke paralyzed the right side of his body.
While physical therapy provided some improvement, Quasif continued to have difficulty walking and his speech was nearly impossible to understand. Shut in his apartment alone and unable to communicate, he quickly became isolated and depressed.
That’s when he was referred to Volunteers of America’s Assisted Living Program which operates in the Parker Skyview senior apartment building. The program helps residents remain safely in their apartment homes and independent for as long as possible.The professional staff provide around-the-clock supervision and assistance with activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking.
Though Quasif tried to do things himself, our Assisted Living staff helped him clean his apartment, do laundry and bathe. They provided him with a standard wheelchair, and escorted him to meals and to the building’s community room for social activities including Bingo and exercise classes. Quasif began to smile again.
But, maneuvering the wheelchair continued to be a problem because of the paralysis. With only one good arm, Quasif could only move in circles unless he was assisted. That’s when our Assisted Living staff helped him apply for a motorized wheelchair. The new wheelchair gave Quasif the freedom he thought he had lost.
Today, Quasif is more independent and continues to receive our Assisted Living services. He can be seen traveling the Minneapolis sidewalks near Parker Skyview with his new wheelchair—going where he wants to go. He’s happy again because he has regained his freedom and dignity, and is no longer a prisoner of his apartment.