Lisa

“Losing weight helps me stay healthy and feel my best,” Lisa shares. Through hard work and dedication, Lisa has lost more than 62 pounds. It's an accomplishment she is incredibly proud of and one that reflects the determination she brings to many areas of her life.

For 37 years, Prader-Willi Homes (PWH), a MyPath Company, has been part of Lisa’s journey, providing a supportive environment where she can pursue her interests, work toward personal goals, build meaningful relationships, and stay connected to the family she loves. Originally from Grant Park, Illinois, Lisa grew up with four brothers and developed a love for learning and exploring the world around her. One of her favorite childhood memories comes from her time at a Montessori school, where learning often happened through hands-on experiences. “We were learning about sheep,” Lisa recalls. “I was able to be there and help a lamb be born.”

It’s a memory she still carries with her today. One that reflects the curiosity and appreciation for animals that continue to be part of her life. Today, Lisa enjoys a full life shaped by the people, activities, and experiences that are important to her. At PWH, she appreciates the sense of community and the staff who help create a welcoming and supportive environment. “I like our management staff, Crystal and Melanie,” she says. “They do a lot with us and for us. They do things to make it feel like a home.”

When she’s out in the community, Lisa enjoys visiting Goodwill and exploring zoos of all sizes. She especially loves seeing some of her favorite animals, including goats and small monkeys. At home, Lisa keeps busy with hobbies that challenge her mind and creativity. She enjoys building with Legos, completing three-dimensional crystal puzzles, solving mind puzzles, playing games on her Wii, and watching shows on the Lifetime channel.

And while Lisa enjoys staying busy, family remains at the center of her life. “When I am able to go home and visit with my family,” she says, “that’s what I look forward to.” Lisa is proud of the close relationships she continues to share with her loved ones, including her five nieces and nephews and five great-nieces and great-nephews. “I have a wonderful family,” she shares.

That care for the people in her life extends to others, too. When asked what can be difficult for her, Lisa doesn’t mention challenges she personally faces. Instead, she talks about seeing others hurt. “When people get bullied or their feelings get hurt, I don’t like that.” It’s a simple statement, but one that says a lot about the compassion she has for those around her.

Like everyone, Lisa has ways of navigating difficult days. When she needs time to recharge, she turns to activities she enjoys, spending time working on puzzles or other projects that help her focus and relax. From her commitment to her health to the relationships she treasures, Lisa’s story is one of family, kindness, curiosity, and perseverance. Whether she’s solving a challenging puzzle, visiting her favorite animals at the zoo, or spending time with the people she loves, Lisa continues to pursue the things that bring meaning and joy to her life.

For families considering PWH, Lisa’s story is also a reminder that receiving residential support doesn’t mean leaving behind the relationships, interests, and experiences that make someone who they are. Those connections remain important, and PWH is committed to helping the people we support maintain them while building greater independence, confidence, and opportunities of their own.