The Plassman Family

Ron and Suzanna Plassman have been involved with Turnstone since the late 1970s when their daughter, Anne, was born with a medical condition. Since then, the Plassman family, including their son, Mark, like many Turnstone client families, have witnessed the positive impacts that Turnstone brings to individuals with disabilities and their loved ones.

After Anne’s birth, the Plassmans were in need of guidance on how to help Anne develop into the playful child they knew she could be. After hearing about Turnstone and the services they provided, Anne became part of the first Infant Stimulation program and also received speech and occupational therapy at the little house on Fairfield, one of Turnstone’s earlier locations. At the time, Turnstone was truly one of the only places in the community where Anne could receive the services she needed and the Plassmans immediately knew how much this place was going to change all of their lives.

One of the Plassman's favorite memories was during their daughter’s preschool years - Anne met the teacher who changed her life. Because of this teacher, Anne would light up with excitement and couldn’t wait to go to school every day. The Plassmans soon discovered that Turnstone was full of welcoming staff just like Anne’s preschool teacher, who were committed to helping clients reach their highest potential.

Fast forward over 40 years, and the Plassman family is still very passionate and engaged at Turnstone. Ron served as an active board member for many years and was the chair of Turnstone’s original Golf Outing at the Fort Wayne Country Club. Suzanna also volunteered on multiple event committees and helped former CEO, Nancy Louraine, do her filing and other administrative tasks for many years. Ron still enjoys coming into Turnstone’s adaptive fitness and aquatics center weekly to work out.

“Turnstone gave us happiness at the end of a long road,” said Suzanna. “Whenever I visit, I still tear up.”

Not only have the Plassmans donated much of their time, but their generosity was also a driving force that has made Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic Center possible. The 125,000 square-foot facility provides a place for people with disabilities to exercise and be mobile as well as a sports facility for people of all abilities to utilize.

One of Ron’s favorite memories was the day they finished the construction on the athletic center - both Ron and Suzanna were buzzing at the thought of what amazing activities would start occurring in this building. Turnstone remains one of the most unique and comprehensive facilities designed for people with disabilities in the nation thanks to donors like the Plassman Family.

“Without Turnstone, I believe there would be a large gap in our community, especially for those with disabilities,” says Ron. “Turnstone is a welcoming place that gives you the ability to be anyone you want to be.”

Ron and Suzanna’s passion for empowerment and possibilities also led to their critical roles in developing what is now the Goalball Center of Excellence and USA Goalball Resident Program established in partnership with the United States Association of Blind Athletes. The Plassman Family has become a champion for the Paralympic sport of goalball and has provided financial support in recent years to ensure the success of the athletes. Ron’s passionate and unwavering support for the Goalball program and the participating athletes has made it one of the premier Goalball Training programs in the world.

Turnstone provided a great start for Anne that ended up changing the lives of everyone in the Plassman family. And, Ron and Suzanna have also been able to witness Turnstone’s growth from a local resource to an international leader in disability services.

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT LONG-TIME DONORS LIKE THE PLASSMAN FAMILY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LIFE-CHANGING SERVICES THAT TURNSTONE OFFERS AND HAVE CONTINUOUSLY DEVOTED THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP TURNSTONE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.