Sherry's Story

Sherry’s Turnstone story spans over two and a half decades. Beginning in 2000, her connection to Turnstone has only deepened over the years. From her early days as a substitute teacher at the Kimbrough Early Learning Center (KELC) to her invaluable contributions as a volunteer in various programs, Turnstone became more than just an organization to her—it became family. Today, Sherry is a counseling client at Turnstone where she has made a lot of personal growth and built a strong support system.

Sherry is an optimist who shares her gratitude often. She carries a glass-half-full attitude with her at all times, but her story is not just one of personal triumph—it's a testament to the resilience of family bonds. Sherry has cerebral palsy and her husband acquired a disability as his health declined later in life. They were caretakers for each other as well as their son. Sherry and her husband pursued couples counseling at Turnstone to confront the unique challenges of navigating marriage between people with disabilities.

“Counseling is so beneficial… it has made a world of difference to me,” said Sherry. “…just a few years ago I saw a study that said there was an 87% divorce rate in families with one person with a disability and our family had three people with a disability so there is a lot of extra stress and things that people don’t think about. I think it’s important to have those avenues of having an outlet so that the stress doesn’t build in the family.”

“[My husband and I] loved each other so much and we were best friends but he didn’t feel like he could really talk about the stress that he felt because he didn’t want to make me feel bad…” said Sherry. They went to counseling together and strengthened their relationship for about half a year before life changed suddenly.

Life's journey took an unexpected turn when Sherry faced the devastating loss of her husband. Grief weighed heavy on her heart, but Turnstone emerged as a source of hope. Recognizing the importance of emotional support, Sherry continued counseling for herself. Turnstone's counselors walked alongside Sherry, offering comfort, insight, and a safe space to navigate the complexities of loss and grief.

“[Turnstone’s counseling team] gave me tools to help myself because growing up with a disability and being bullied so many years, I have a tendency to be very hard on myself…” said Sherry. “Now I have tools to help myself through the whole grieving process.”

To Sherry, Turnstone is a place of compassion, empowerment, and healing. As she continues to navigate life's twists and turns, she does so with gratitude in her heart and the unwavering support of her Turnstone family by her side. Sherry’s connections at Turnstone, which now also include enjoying Turnstone's Adult Day services, have produced more than just a source of support—Turnstone became a lifeline. During some of her darkest moments, Turnstone provided vital resources and support, ensuring that no challenge went unmet.

“Turnstone has been very supportive… I know I am very blessed,” said Sherry. “They’ve always cared for my family. I wish there was a Turnstone everywhere for people. I don’t know how I got so blessed to come and live here in the same community because there is no other place like it.”