‘The Center’ Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Doses To People With Special Needs

The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges partnered with the Oklahoma Caring Foundation to help make sure all their clients could get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Staff members at The Center For Individuals with Physical Challenges said a few words come to mind Friday including fellowship, community, and a sense of hope that happy days are ahead.

Friends and family of John said he's silly, social and doesn't like to sit still. However, like many others in the special needs community, John's spent the last year in isolation.

"Having to keep him at home. Us not being able to visit him. His caregivers having to take special precautions so they can maintain a relationship with him. Those relationships are gold for him. Change is difficult," said Lynn Endres, sister and guardian. 

Endres said getting the second dose of the vaccine is worth celebrating, but they won't forget the sacrifices made along the way. In December of 2020, their dad died from COVID-19.

"It is unfortunate that he wasn't able to see his dad the last year, or dad to see him the last year," Endres said. "It would've been nice to have been able to get them back together to have that reunited family which is so important to everybody but even more so to this population that relies on those links and those ties."

Many said it was a struggle navigating vaccination sites to sign up online. Plus, not everyone has access to transportation. John's caregiver Rachel Nelson said she's happy to see places like the center stepping up to help.

"They do have disabilities, and you know, I think they're a little more vulnerable," Nelson said. 

Lisa Zarrow is an arts instructor at the center. Zarrow got her second shot yesterday alongside those she serves.

"I have to get right close to them and work closely and so it'll also make me feel more comfortable as well as them with us doing that one-on-one, hands-on work," Zarrow said. 

Zarrow said she can't wait for things to go back to normal, or at least somewhat normal. 

"Our mission here is to be able to include people from all walks of life. All ages. All different kinds of challenges. Physically and some mentally," said Zarrow. "So, in order for us to get back to some kind of normalcy, you know, I think it's our duty to get vaccinated to keep everyone safe and get one step closer to maybe ripping those masks off."

Zarrow, Nelson and Lynn all agree that everyone should do their part in protecting people like John.

More than 220 people were vaccinated at The Center over the past two days. This includes those they serve, staff and partner organizations who primarily serve those with physical challenges and developmental disabilities. The Center said it took a lot of groundwork to make yesterday and today possible and they couldn't have done it without the help and support of the Oklahoma Caring Foundation. 

For more information about The Tulsa Center, click here.

For more information about the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, click here.