The Rainbow Connection: Resident Christopher Groves Finds What’s on the Other Side |
Rainbow Painting on Canvas by Christopher Groves |
Christopher Groves – one of our beloved, original Mountain Shadows residents, at the opening of Mary Triplett Park. |
By Sheryl Wilde Why are there so many songs about rainbows And what’s on the other side? *
Christopher Groves, 30+ year resident of Mountain Shadows likely had little time to wish upon rainbows or stars as a young boy.
“Christopher had a rough start in life,” says Stacy Miller, RN. “He was born with mild intellectual disability. As a child, he lived in a car with his mother and brother. While living in their car, Chris had heat stroke, which paralyzed him on one side of his body. He developed seizures because of it. “The brothers were taken away from their mother and put in an infirmary at a juvenile hall, because authorities didn’t know what else to do with them at the time. Eventually, San Diego Regional Center was contacted, and Chris was moved into Mountain Shadows.” |
Chris looking dapper and handsome at the Mountain Shadows Fall Ball dance. |
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions And rainbows have nothing to hide “When he first came here, Chris was rough around the edges,” continues Stacy. “Back then, he would have verbal outbursts. He was hitting people. He was throwing things.
“The first time I met him, he gave me a little once over. I don’t even remember what I said to him, but he took offense to it. I saw he was angry, but I figured, “Oh, he’s in a wheelchair … ” But, you know what? He chased me out of the house! I made it to the grass in the back yard, and I figured, ‘Oh, he’ll stop.’ But he chased me all the way to the fence. I had to hop over the fence to get away from him.
“He was so mad. He was cussing me out, and he told me he was going to call the cops on me, like, ‘You don’t tell me what to do! You’re not my mother!'” |
So we’ve been told, and some choose to believe it I know they’re wrong, wait and see “Sometimes the words coming out of his mouth, it was just appalling,” adds Stacy.
“One time he got mad at a QIDP in the house. She wanted to go into his room to talk to him. We were all like, “No! Don’t go in there!” But she walked into his room and she’s like, “Now, Chris … ” and then all of a sudden, we see a TV come flying out of the room. And back then, you know how big the TVs were – not the little pencil thin things we have today. “He threw that TV out of the room with his one good arm. And the QIDP walked out and said, “Okay, I understand now.”
Stacy Sullivan, Executive Director, Mountain Shadows Support Group/
Mountain Shadows Ancillary Services, agrees, “Chris was a different person when I first met him 30 years ago. He was kind of an angry young man. He was a little pistol. He was calling the police. He was pulling the fire alarm. He was always causing some kind of ruckus.” Stacy Miller says, “The first five or six years that Chris lived at Mountain Shadows, he’d say, ‘I’m going to call the cops on you!’ And he did! The police had to come out and tell him, “This is when you call the police.” Eventually he did stop calling them. “And now, every year, on Halloween, Chris dresses as a police officer! When we had Circus Day many years ago, he would dress as a sheriff, and he’d go around and arrest people and put them in jail. This last Halloween, he was still dressed as a police officer. “We worked really hard with Chris because of his history. It was so sad. He had a difficult life.
“Eventually, we started to see a turnaround in his behaviors. His behaviors got better.
“In the beginning, Chris had a very hard life. But, here at Mountain Shadows, he has blossomed into a great guy and everybody loves him. I feel lucky to have seen that. I was lucky to be able to watch as he changed into a brand-new person.” |
Dead or Alive – On most days, you will find Chris sporting his favorite
black cowboy hat, as in this photo from a Circus Day past. |
Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection The lovers, the dreamers, and me
“Chris has come from chasing me out of the house, to today, where, if he sees me across campus, he’ll yell out ‘Hi!’ to me and give me hugs,” says Stacy Miller.
“Chris likes to pray and, because my parents have passed away, he’ll say, ‘I prayed for your mom. I prayed for your dad. Our parents are up in heaven now and I pray for them.”
Adds Farra Fibel, QIDP/A, Olive House / Fig House, MSCH – San Diego, “At some of our memorials, when residents have passed away, Chris will give a prayer. His prayers come from the heart. He also loves to attend the church services on campus. He’ll come home and tell everyone, ‘I was at church, and I prayed for you.’ It gives him something to believe in. “Chris is very kind-hearted. He’s always thinking of others. Just the other day, he gave me a flower he made at Outreach. And he likes to pick flowers from outside and give them to me. It’s very sweet.” |
Padres fever! Chris receives an autographed Padres ball! |
Who said that every wish would be heard and answered? Continues Farra, “Chris loves going to Outreach. He’ll get his backpack and his lunchbox, and he’ll say, ‘I’m going to work today. I’ve got to make that money!” Adds Stacy Sullivan, “You can’t help but love Chris. He’s all about making money. He’s always saying, ‘I’m making money. I’m gonna buy a house. I’m gonna buy my girl a ring.
“Chris just loves life. He enjoys life to the fullest now. And he loves making money. It could be 85 cents – but he’s so proud of the check!” |
Chris and Mountain Shadows friends at Padres game. |
We wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it Look what it’s done so far
Adds Stacy Sullivan, “Chris recently experienced a change in his health needs and moved to Olive House, one of our ICF/DD-N (Nursing) homes. He requires more care than some other residents. He’s adjusted very well to the transition. “Stacy Miller has been working with Chris from the beginning. She has now transferred to Olive house as well, and is working with him again. So, he has his family. “Chris is able to stay with us because we have the ICF/DD-N homes now. It’s that continuum of care that we’re able to provide. That’s so important because Mountain Shadows is what Chris knows. This is his home. This is his family. “It would be devastating for him to have to go somewhere else. He’s got all of his friends here. This is his whole world. And we’re in a position now where we can take care of him to the end.
“Chris will know for his time here on earth that his family loved him and took care of him until the end.” |
Officer Chris Groves – Halloween 2024 |
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What’s so amazing that keeps us star gazing And what do we think we might see? “Chris is just such a happy spirit,” says Farra. “He can always put a smile on your face.
“The rainbow painting reminds me of Chris because he gets excited about the little things. Rainbows are special and beautiful and rare. People always get excited about rainbows, and that’s what Chris does. It’s a good reminder to appreciate everything – all the beauty around you.
“I’ve learned from Chris that, even if something is negative, I see how he doesn’t get too disappointed. He changes his attitude very quickly and moves onto something positive. It’s a good reminder that there’s always something better around the corner…” And perhaps, on the other side of the rainbow. |
Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection The lovers, the dreamers and me
In the Muppet Movie, as Kermit the Frog sang The Rainbow Connection, he was on a quest to find connection in this world – meaningful connection with others and with something – a purpose – greater than himself.
Perhaps Christopher has found his Rainbow Connection here, with us. On one side of the Rainbow was fear, loneliness, and anger. But he grabbed the morning star and held tight – and has reached the other side of the Rainbow – through the Mountain Shadows Connection – the Mountain Shadows Family.
And, here at Mountain Shadows, we are the lovers, the dreamers who believe every wish should be heard – and answered. *The Rainbow Connection, sung by Kermit the Frog |
The Mountain Shadows Foundation – Because We CARE |
Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, the Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives.
It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: -
Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: [email protected], or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family!
To learn more about Mountain Shadows volunteer opportunities, please click below:
Learn about Mountain Shadows Volunteer Opportunities Here |
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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