Confidence in Care

Kang Meng has received residential and day services from Unity House for 30 years. His sister, Hsien-Ann, is a music professor at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. Here, she shares their family’s story and how Unity House has made an impact on their lives:

Kang came to Unity House around 1995, following a connection made through friends who lived in Ithaca. Kang was born in Tainan, Taiwan, in 1970. Due to an unfortunate health event, he developed seizures as a toddler and was later diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disability.

In 1980, my parents gave up their prestigious teaching positions in Taiwan and moved to Rochester, New York. At the time, my aunt and uncle were living in Ithaca and recommended a neurologist in Rochester to help with Kang’s health. They encouraged my parents to move to the U.S. so Kang could receive better medical care and a quality education.

Eventually, my parents relocated us to Maryland for work, and Kang graduated from Rock Terrace High School in Rockville, Maryland. After graduation, my parents and Kang were unsure of his next steps, and it was during this time that our Ithaca friends connected them with Unity House.

The day my parents brought Kang to live in the State Street group home was bitter-sweet for them. We later heard that, when seeing Kang was a little sad about leaving my parents, his case manager had the idea of asking Kang if he wanted to go and get some ice cream. That was exactly what Kang needed and it really helped him began his new life at Unity House.

Since then, we’ve been gratified to see that, with the support of Unity House and Challenge Industries staff, Kang has been able to lead an independent life and grow into the person he is today. Through Supported Employment services, Kang has worked at Longview Nursing Home and Ithaca College’s dish rooms, where he earned several awards for his attendance and outstanding work. He also receives Day Habilitation services.

Today, he is part of the Community-Based Prevocational services through Challenge Workforce Solutions, which has helped him stay engaged with the community and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Kang is also a valued member at St. John’s Church in Ithaca, where he was baptized and is a regular reader for Sunday services.

Kang visited my parents and me on all major holidays. When the Greyhound bus service to Maryland stopped running, my father and the house manager arranged for staff to drop Kang off in Lewisburg, PA, where we would meet them. This thoughtful consideration from Unity House made it possible for Kang to maintain his close family connections.

Though it was always difficult for my parents to have Kang so far away, they were reassured by the care he received at Unity House. Through all the ups and downs Kang faced, the house managers and staff worked closely with Kang and kept us well informed.

In honor of my parents, who have since passed away, I continue the legacy of supporting Unity House, for which they were so thankful. I also extend my gratitude to all the house managers and staff who have supported Kang over the years.