Posted on August 22, 2024
Gregory Miller
President/CEO Penn-Mar Human Services
In my 36 years with Penn-Mar, I have held several titles, but my favorite might be my unofficial role as “Chief Storyteller.”
I’m sure everyone who works for our organization can recount multiple stories about their teammates and the people they support who have inspired and motivated them through their incredible courage, perseverance, humility and positive outlook.
One gentleman that never ceases to amaze and inspire me is John Getty. He holds the distinction of being the first resident of our first community home on Old York Road — just 100 yards away from Penn-Mar Central — where he was soon joined by roommates Anthony Hardy and Charles Cadden, who would become his life-long friends.
All three men all came to us in 1981 from Rosewood Center in Owings Mills, Maryland, an institutional setting for people with developmental disabilities. One can only imagine the experiences they endured there and their joy at finding safety, freedom, and caring in our Penn-Mar community.
I officiated at the funerals of Anthony and Charles several years ago, but John is still with us in his 90’s! He has endured many challenges over the years, but through it all he has maintained his good humor and earned tremendous respect among his peers, and the devotion of his staff, who are honored to help him live his life to the fullest every day.
In 2009 we publicly recognized all three gentlemen with a Pioneer Award that acknowledged their special place in Penn-Mar ‘s history. I’m so glad we seized the moment because these men really helped “show us the way” as our services have evolved over the years.
I remember John telling me that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the newly elected U.S. President when he was born in 1934. Ronald Reagan held the office when he came to live at Penn-Mar in 1981. Incredibly, John has lived to witness the growth of our nation under 15 Presidents and will add yet another to his remarkable run in January!
John is a very kind soul but also a fierce advocate for himself and his peers when the situation warrants it. You always know what he likes and what he doesn’t. John has a clear understanding of his rights and the responsibilities of the DSPs who support him. He isn’t shy about making his wants known.
And just as John experienced many of the hardships of life in an institution, thankfully he has lived to see society value people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and providers like Penn-Mar continually raise the bar to offer them opportunities to create a meaningful life of their own, connected to the world around them.
John retired before he could take advantage of our Customized Employment Programs, but his daily life was centered around activities in our Day Program, the companionship of his friends, and the ability to enjoy community activities like dining out and vacation travel.
As the oldest living member of Penn-Mar’s community home residents, John is our patriarch. And as someone who has lived through some of the darkest days of institutional care for people with IDD, John truly deserves the respect and deference accorded to him.
This is a man who defines resilience. Who values who he is and the people around him. A person with a remarkable story who I have been privileged to know for over 40 years.