Double Your Donation for Rachel!
Joy, sorrow, tears, laughter – to all of these, it has been said, music gives voice.
As we begin our month-long celebration of Mountain Shadows fathers, perhaps we will see in the story below that this is true … and yet we believe, beyond the chords and melodies, lies something ever more simple and beautiful, through which the bonds between a father and daughter are built. It all begins with a single note, and a game of Name That Tune. And, thanks to a generous pledge to match up to $10,000, your donation will be doubled, to celebrate the fathers and daughters, whose lives are forever entwined in loving harmony.
We are incredibly grateful to recognize two generous donors for their outstanding support. Our heartfelt thanks goes to John and Tresa Martindale, and the Gaspare Family Foundation, who have pledged a total matching gift of $10,000. Their commitment will double the impact of their generosity, significantly enhancing our ability to further the Mountain Shadows Foundation mission. Thank you for your unwavering support!
Please Click Here to Have Your Donation DOUBLED Today! |
Father’s Day to the Tune of Life:
Rachel & John Parker |
Can you “Name That Tune” above? Don’t worry if you can’t read music! Read the story below along with us and you will see the magical power of music, games, and love. And, if you follow us to the end, we’ll share the name of this famous father-daughter tune – a tune we believe just may perfectly express John’s love for his daughter, Mountain Shadows resident, Rachel. |
MSCH Resident, Rachel, with her father, John Parker. |
“Rachel was born three months premature,” says her father, John Parker. “She has cerebral palsy and is a spastic quadriplegic. She has very little use of her limbs, and she’s in a wheelchair.
“Her speaking is hard to understand at first, but once you get to know her, you see she’s just very articulate and thoughtful.” |
Rachel’s photo at Orange Glen Elementary School – age six. |
“One of Rachel’s favorite things is music,” continues John. “She has a stack of maybe 60 to 70 CD’s, and she just loves playing a game called Name That Tune. But instead of naming the tune, she’ll name the artist.
“I’ll put a CD on, start it, and then turn it right back off again after one or two notes. And Rachel is just a genius! She can name every single artist with just one or two notes.”
While a game of Name That Tune may not seem all that significant, between this father and daughter team, it has become a decade’s long tradition, enriching the bond between them.
“We play this game, Name That Tune, all the time – it’s kind of our thing. And I’m just amazed at how often I’ll just play one note, and she’ll know exactly what it is with just that one note. It’s quite a talent.” |
Rachel riding ‘Sunny” the white horse at Helen Woodward Animal Center. |
“Rachel was born in San Francisco,” says John. “In 1984, we were living in Mill Valley, and her day program was shutting down. We didn’t know what to do.
“I had a friend who was buying a house in Escondido. We knew nothing about Escondido, but it piqued our interest. We drove down one weekend and met a teacher at a special education program at Orange Glen Elementary School, and we were really impressed. We liked her, so we got a realtor, and bought the first house she showed us. We moved to Escondido and have been here ever since.”
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Rachel, dad and Teddy (Rachel’s friend for 13 years) at Lake Hodges. |
The family’s move to Escondido seemed meant to be. “Less than a year after we moved in, we were riding our bicycles around our neighborhood. I was pulling Rachel in a cart behind me. We noticed there was a family in their front yard with their children. “My wife, Rita, and I walked over and started talking with them. I introduced myself. I said, ‘Hi, I’m John Parker.’ And the man reached out his hand and said, ‘Hi, I’m John Parker as well.’
“There was an immediate bond that was struck at that moment, and our two families have been very, very close ever since. Rachel is our only child. But their four children have been like brothers and sisters to Rachel. We’re very close and socialize all the time. They are Rachel’s extended family.” |
Family friends Anna McCreary and her mom, Nancy, celebrate Rachel’s 41st
birthday with Rita, and Rachel. |
Rachel is 41 years old now. She lived at home with her dad and mom until eight years ago. Though it was a heartbreaking decision, John and Rita realized, “As we got older, taking care of Rachel every day became more and more difficult.”
The family researched homes and learned of Mountain Shadows.
Says Maria Leyva, MSCH-San Diego, “I’ve known Rachel since she moved into Mountain Shadows – and ever since I’ve known her, she’s made a huge impact. Rachel is very talkative and always lets you know what she is thinking. She’s very caring and interested in other people’s lives. “Rachel says, ‘Good morning!’ first thing, right after I clock in. Every time. And she always makes sure to say goodbye at the end of my shift. She says, ‘Say hi to Frank!’ my husband, and asks how my grandma is doing. She really tries to get to know you and to make a friendship with you. “You definitely know when Rachel is home – and even more when she’s not. You can feel her absence when she’s not home.” |
Rita, Stephanie Parker (aka Rachel’s sister from her “extended” Parker family), and Rachel. |
Maria continues, “At first, the transition, when Rachel moved from her family’s home to Mountain Shadows, it was hard for her. But she’s settled in now and she’s really happy here.
“Rachel’s family is still very involved in her life. They take her home every other weekend. And when she doesn’t go home, they come to visit her. Her mom takes her to the park, and sometimes they run errands together.
“Her dad is a very loving father. He’s very nice, very polite. He’s always there for Rachel.” |
Rachel, beaming at her birthday celebration. |
“Some of the residents don’t have families,” adds Maria. “So, sometimes for holidays and special occasions, they stay home by themselves. We’re the ones – their Mountain Shadows Family – that celebrate their birthdays. We’re the ones that are with them on Christmas. We’re the ones that make them feel like this – Mountain Shadows – is home.
“Rachel is very lucky, because she gets to go home for Christmas. She gets to go home to celebrate her birthday.”
Adds John, “I think some of the most fun we’ve shared with Rachel over the years was with our extended Parker family – socializing, having parties together, birthday parties, going out to eat dinner together. I think those are some of Rachel’s favorite memories growing up.” |
Rachel and MSCH – San Diego friend, Josh, coloring together. “Rachel takes a lot of pride in how many pages she can color in one sitting,” says John. |
“We’re so lucky to have Mountain Shadows,” says John. “The campus-like setting, the gazebo, the entire layout – it’s been wonderful!
“Rachel likes to sit in front of her house in her wheelchair and watch people go by. She says hello to everyone. It’s pretty special. I think we’re very, very fortunate to have found Mountain Shadows.
“Mountain Shadows is a pretty special place, and we think it’s Rachel’s permanent home. It’s where she’ll be when her mom and I are gone.
“I think we’re real fortunate that we already have found such a good place for Rachel.” |
Rachel and dad at San Elijo Nature Preserve. |
One note is all that’s needed for a simple game of… Name That Tune
To shine the light on a father and daughter’s lifelong symphony of love. |
It has been said that a father is a daughter’s first love.
We believe this is true for Rachel. Now … can YOU … Name That Tune??? |
… And forever she’ll stay in his heart … Happy Father’s Day, John! |
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The Mountain Shadows Foundation –
Because We CARE |
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION NOW! In celebration of Father’s Day, John and Tresa Martindale, and the Gaspare Family Foundation will match up to $10,000 in donations to the Mountain Shadows Foundation!
Have your Father’s Day gift DOUBLED today!
$25 → $50
$50 → $100
$75 → $150
$100 → $200
Double another amount
Donate now and you can receive a tax deduction for this year!
Your gift will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $10,000.
On Father’s Day, and all days, the Mountain Shadows Foundation funds
activities which add meaning and richness to our residents’ lives.
Click Here to Have Your Donation DOUBLED Today!
And please SHARE this story with your family, friends, and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family! |
Mandy Huiras Mountain Shadows Foundation Director of Development Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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