One of the core beliefs at Macdonald Center is that no one deserves to live in isolation. We live out this belief by visiting and creating community with our members. While many members receive volunteers at their homes, for some, a trip down to our Community Room is a better option. Michael, a long-time member at Macdonald Center, visits the Community Room at least twice a week to meet with our student nurses or just enjoy a chat and watch a movie. Read below for a spotlight on Michael.
Q: Where are you from originally? When did you move to Portland? Why did you move here? What do you like about Portland?
A: Originally, I am from Spokane, WA, which is where I was born. I was adopted at four years old, and raised in Wishram, WA, which is a tiny railroad town on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. My late father was a railroad engineer, so he worked on trains that went up and down the Gorge. I moved to Portland in the early 1990’s, and now live in Northwest Portland. I really like how you don’t have to have a car in Portland, and that most things are accessible through public transit. Everything is really close by, and you can walk a lot of places.
Q: How long have you been a Member at Macdonald Center? Why did you join?
A: I started coming to Macdonald Center for money management in 2011. When that program went away, I kept coming back because I liked it here and I can visit with people.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a Member here?
A: I really like the face to face interactions, from the staff, student nurses and other members I get when I come here. It helps with the isolation I sometimes feel when I am home at my house alone. There is a misconception that once someone is housed that they are fine, but really it can be very isolating. People can feel very lonely in their new house if there aren’t many people around they can talk to and they live alone.
Q: What do you like to do for fun? What is your favorite show or sports team?
A: I like to watch sports and play on my computer. I really like to play games because it gives me a chance to chat with people all around the world! Just by chatting with the people I play with I can learn more about other places and cultures.
Q: What do you wish people knew about Macdonald Center and the Old Town community?
A: I want people to know that despite my autism spectrum disorder, I am very likeable and kind. I was diagnosed as having Asperger’s, but not until I was 36. And as for the Macdonald Center, I want people to know that the staff here are decent and kind, and that they do the best they can. I like to say that “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get,” just like Forrest Gump. And I really think that the staff here is always doing their best with what they have. A mental health crisis is common here, and the staff is good about dealing with everything.
