Barcalow Team of the Quarter

November 10, 2014

Dear Kendall, Michael, Decarlo, Kevin, Bruce, Roosevelt “TJ”, Abu and Lamont,

No one said it would be easy and indeed it has been anything but! Good thing that each member of the Barcalow team has been up for a challenge from the start. This team is made up of nine talented, committed individuals who have come together to share their strengths in pursuit of the best life for Michael and Azzher.  When we think of what it takes to be a great, committed team that achieves excellent results, the word BRAVE comes to mind. It has been said that bravery often means taking on the work of making every day count, to do the slow walk toward a better life for ourselves and others. That is the sort of bravery the Barcalow team has. Together, you are determined and brave enough to pursue each day and make the lives of Michael and Azzher matter on their own terms.

A young man, Azzher, needed more engaging and fun activities in the community and to live a healthier lifestyle. You took on the challenge of increasing activities for Azzher and have succeeded! In the past few months Azzher has gone to Phillies games, movies, and walked about parks and farms. Being out more, Azzher has begun exercising without even thinking about it! He is walking everywhere and his health is benefitting! You assure that Azzher has nutritious meals as well and his weight has come down to a very healthy level. The Barcalow team also assures a culturally sensitive approach to Azzher’s diet, by following the Muslim dietary guidelines of Halal and supporting Azzher to pray every Friday at mosque.

As is widely known by all of us at SPIN, Michael’s medical conditions have been extremely difficult for him to bear over the past couple of years. He has been in severe pain which given Michael’s verbal ability had been very hard to determine and control. This team turned itself inside out to be fully present and observant and is now able to see the smallest change in Michael’s body language as a message that he is in pain. This incredible ability to see pain as it is beginning has helped to keep Mike out of the hospital for the past two months. Mike is again able to enjoy his life. He recently went on a shopping excursion in Lancaster where he purchased a beautiful new wardrobe! This team has also learned to expertly tube feed Mike. Regla told me that it takes a lot of patience and skill to tube feed Mike and that you are all patient and skillful.

One person who fully supports everyone and is therefore named by Regla as part of the team is Lamont. Although Lamont actually works in Health Services, he has taken it upon himself to be at Barcalow every Friday to set Michael and his team up for success before the weekend. Lamont’s preventative approach to support is working!

Your supervisor and leader, Regla, said she nominated you because when she thinks of an effective team she envisions Barcalow.  Regla wrote that to have an effective team there must be certain components, which she sees in Barcalow every shift, time or day she is there.  Regla thought of an analogy an award winning cake; you need every single ingredient to achieve the prize winning outcome.  The ingredients that Barcalow uses for that prize winning outcome are:

• Effective communication
• Commitment
• Ability to compromise
• Complementary skills

Here is what Regla said in her nomination letter about each of you:

Kendall is the go to guy; you can go to Kendall with any question and he will provide the information that you need and if he is not sure he will find out and get back to you.

Michael is so caring and has the parental type of influence in the home.  His cooking skills are amazing! He ensures that the guys always look nice by doing little things without anyone ever asking him.

Decarlo is new to the team but his knowledge of medicine, spirituality and his excellent writing skills are a true asset to the team!

Kevin brings that adventurous, charismatic and knowledge seeking attitude to the team.  Kevin is intrigued by everything so he is always looking for new ways to improve the quality of life for the Barcalow men. (He reminds me every day that he will be the next CEO, so watch out y’all)

Bruce uses people first skills in supporting Azzher and Michael at all times and his length of time here at SPIN speaks to his commitment to SPIN’s mission.

Roosevelt “TJ” has a quiet demeanor but don’t let this fool you.  He makes sure the men at Barcalow look and smell nice.  He can sense when something is wrong with Michael and he always makes sure that Azzher looks SHARP!!

Abu is a new addition to the team but has proven to blend right on in with his ability to be attentive , follow direction/share information from his team and handy around the home. Abu has become familiar with the men in such a short time and an important person in the lives of both Azzher and Michael.

Last but not least, Lamont, who supports this team not as a DSP, but as a Health Services Specialist.  In the short time that Barcalow has been on Lamont’s caseload, he demonstrates incredible compassion with Michael and Azzher.  He takes extra initiative with the staff by reminding them of appointments, listening to the staff’s concerns and stopping every week to assure that Michael is not in any discomfort before the weekend arrives.

Regla goes on to say that she is so proud to be on this team and couldn’t imagine it any other way.

So now it is my turn to say how proud I am of all of you. The Barcalow team lives the Pillars of SPIN in all you do. You are People First, Professional, and you demonstrate Performance Excellence and Productivity. Michael and Azzher have better lives because you come together to achieve the prize winning result for them. That prize is a life of possibilities. This organization has the utmost respect for all of you and what you are able to achieve and do together. You are demonstrating everything that SPIN stands for and as previously noted you do it bravely!

It is with honor, pride and great respect that on behalf of SPIN’s Corporate Board, our management team, and Michael and Azzher, I congratulate Kendall, Michael, Decarlo, Kevin, Bruce, “TJ”, Abu and Lamont; the Barcalow team as SPIN’s Team of the Quarter for July to September 2014.  Best wishes for your continued success. And thank you for all you do!

Warmest Regards,

Kathleen Brown McHale
President & CEO