Terry Home grows, adds second facility

Mary Norman saw a need. In 1986, she went looking for a home for her son, Terry, who had sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident on Green Valley Road. “There was no place for him except a geriatric nursing home,” Norman said. “It didn’t seem appropriate for him. He was 18 years old, and all his roommates were 80. He handled it well. … He called the place the Raisin Ranch.”

By Shawn Skager • April 24, 2013 5:54 pm
Terry Norman and his mother Mary Norman cut the ribbon at the opening of Auburn's Terry Home
Terry Norman and his mother Mary Norman cut the ribbon at the opening of Auburn's Terry Home

Mary Norman saw a need.

In 1986, she went looking for a home for her son, Terry, who had sustained a traumatic brain injury in a car accident on Green Valley Road.

“There was no place for him except a geriatric nursing home,” Norman said. “It didn’t seem appropriate for him. He was 18 years old, and all his roommates were 80. He handled it well. … He called the place the Raisin Ranch.”

So Norman, family and friends began 10 years of fundraising, culminating with the opening of Terry Home in 1996. Today the facility at 138 Third Ave. SW. in Pacific continues its mission of promoting purpose and privacy for young adults living with traumatic brain injuries. Staff therapists serve 10 residents, helping them move on to greater independence.

But nearly 20 years after that grand opening, given the many veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq returning home with traumatic brain injuries, the need is as great as ever.

That’s why Mary Norman and supporters of the nonprofit organization recently expanded their services, opening a second home in Auburn on A Street Northeast.

Joanne Norman, Terry Home administrator, said the waiting list had grown to 30 young adults, all looking for a place to stay.

The 5,300-square-foot facility offers 12 rooms for residents and sets aside four beds for veterans. Grants and the organization’s fundraising efforts have made it possible. The Auburn Eagles have continued their strong support of the cause.

The group cut the ribbon on the new facility April 17 and celebrated.

“I’m pretty proud of the group we have working on this,” Norman said of the second home. “We have a whole group of board members and fundraisers and family and friends. It’s like Hilary (Clinton) said, ‘It takes a village.’ And that’s true on this. It’s all the volunteers and community that make this happen.”

In Pacific and now in Auburn, Terry Home residents receive support in living as ordinary a life as their injuries allow.

“We work on some socialization issues. Try to get them out into the community and out to Walmart and the movies. Just trying to keep them busy,” Norman said.

For more information about Terry Home, visit www.terryhomeinc.org.