Every weekday at 7:30 a.m. on the dot, Linda Sue Brown is dropped off at Puzzle Pieces adult daycare. And every afternoon she struggles with leaving.
Puzzle Pieces is a non-profit organization that was started in 2012, and Amanda Owen, the executive director, describes Puzzle Pieces as a activity day care center that provides social environments with everyday skills.
At 57, Linda Sue is the oldest client at Puzzle Pieces. She has Down syndrome, and enrolled at Puzzle Pieces in August 2013. Staff members said she has since blossomed and become one of the most beloved clients at the facility.
She is always willing to give out hugs or hold hands, and is never hesitant of telling the staff or other clients they are “pretty babies.” Like the other adult clients, Brown has jobs to complete, such as mopping, sweeping, or loading the dishwasher.
“It’s so rewarding, even teaching her how to wash dishes is a big deal” says Quincy Tutt, Linda Sue’s caretaker while at Puzzle Pieces.
While it is all fun and games during the day, the difficult part is getting Linda Sue to leave. Every afternoon she is told it is time to leave, but insists that she just got to Puzzle Pieces. The staff says she understands a lot, but just can’t seem to understand that she will be coming back the next day.
“It is sad to see her have to leave at the end of the day, especially when she so badly wants to stay and play,” says Tutt.
