Sudan Napoli-berens:  

Even though I married young, having had 3 children by the time i was 22, I went on to do much with my life. I became very active in my childrens lives, as a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. I was also very interested in their lives at school and eventually went from Corresponding Secretary to PTA President at one school while holding the office of Vice President at an East side public school. I also represented the entire Cleveland Public School system and served on the Governing Board at the State level for CSESC. After my Father, Rev. Leo Napoli passed away in 1989, I took on the position of managing an inner city Hunger Center...I did everything from ordering food, held public speaking engagements in order to fund money for overhead and additional food for over 500 families each month and unloaded truckloads of food right alongside the other Volunteers. Not only was I the intake person, but as needed I packed food bags right along with the others.I worked with the Marines/Toys For Tots program and initiated a "young Mothers Nutrition" group, I also worked hand in hand with the City of Cleveland Courts, in overseeing people that were serving Court ordered community service work. I worked as a Nursing Assistant until an on the job back injury, including 3 unsuccessful back surgeries made it impossible to return. Unfortunatley I was at home for seven years, before returning to work as an Activity Director in a Nursing Home. I was able to return to work even when the physicians said it would never be possible. My Italian "stubborness" coupled with my love of people and not wanting to give in to my disability kept me driven in my goal to be as productive as possible. My position as Activity Director was perfect for me, as it included many care plan meetings with all disciplines, including meeting with familes, one on one meetings and resident assesments, State Documentation, scheduling the 5 people that worked in my Department, creating monthly calendars of events for each unit , creating and publishing the monthly Newsletter for both residents and their family members, along with scheduling the bus for outings for all of the owners NE Ohio facilities. I'm sure there are many more details that I have left out. The postion was perfect for me as I was able to sit as needed as well as getting up and walking when the pain became too great. I did this until the morning came that I was unable to get out of bed. In a...Expand for more