WESTMINSTER — In one classroom, a group of six adults is being taught swordsmanship with sticks as props.
In a different room, another group is making sand paintings.
Inside the gymnasium, five people in a circle begin yoga classes.
Nothing special about this — except that the 60 or so adults here have multiple sclerosis, have suffered a stroke, brain injuries and have other neurological conditions.
The King Adult Day Enrichment Program, offered by the Rocky Mountain MS Center, is now in new digs at a former elementary school and already everyone is enjoying the spacious conditions.
The Rocky Mountain MS Center’s King Adult Day Enrichment Program is one of the agencies that has applied for Season to Share funds.
Through King Adult Day Enrichment Program, adults with MS and other afflictions are able to participate in daily activities and have a more normal sense of life.
“I would just be hanging out at home,” said Nick Harmon, who has MS and uses a wheelchair to get around. “It’s difficult for me to get out of the house.”
About 85 percent of the adults in the program use wheelchairs. But that doesn’t seem to slow down their enthusiasm to lead as normal a life as possible.
The program recently opened in a new building at the former Vista Grande Elementary School in Westminster after years on the Mary Crest campus operated by the Sisters of St. Francis.
The new building is much bigger and has gymnasium. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The day starts off with breakfast and a morning stretch, then the adults break out into different therapeutic sessions. In all, 75 are offered in the program.
After lunch, it’s off to another session.
Crystal Medina, 26, was in a car accident six years ago that put her in a coma for more than seven months. Slowly, she has recovered from brain injuries and a stroke.
Medina is one of the most enthusiastic members on this day. Her favorite session is when they do karaoke. Her favorite song to sing is “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and the Shondells.
“You know, a song says a lot about the world,” Medina said.
The cost of the program is $75 a day, but with Medicaid and other assistance, 85 to 90 percent of those who use it don’t pay anything out of pocket.
Most adult day programs such as this one serve mainly senior adults. But the average age at King Adult Day Enrichment is 48.
There is a computer lab on the site, and participants go skiing and take boxing classes.
“The fitness center is twice the size of the old one,” said Laura Hartman, social services coordinator for King Adult Day Enrichment.
Not only does the program offer participants a variety of activities, it also gives those who are caretakers a little time to themselves after tending to someone who is severely limited because of MS.
Harmon’s wife, Susan, does just about everything for her husband, he said.
“This was my birthday gift for her,” Nick Harmon said. “It gives her a break.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
King Adult Day Enrichment Program
(Rocky Mountain MS Center)
Address: 8845 Wagner St. Westminster, 80031
In operation since: 1991
Numbers served last year: 169
Staff: 17
Yearly budget: $1.1 million
Percentage of funds to client/services: 100
