Wildflower Community Still Thriving

Disabled persons — re-established in Florida — take on new challenges

By DIANNE RIGGS
Highland Episcopalian, January/February 2005-Page 7

MELROSE, Fla. — Creativity was the name of the game at Wildflower Christian Community for disabled persons as hurricane after hurricane left the residents with no power or water for almost two weeks. While their yard looked like a war zone (they lost 11 large trees), director Luke Duncan said the residents fared well compared to many neighbors. They had no damage to people, animals, house or cars. Even the 80 chickens all survived! One event that Duncan considers a gift from God occurred as he just happened to look out a window and see a tree swaying in the storm forces. On inspiration, he immediately moved one of their two cars and seconds later the huge tree fell exactly where the car had been.

Their undamaged cars freed the community to help others. Duncan said they shared water and food with neighbors, gave rides to doctors, grocery stores and companioned elders. Ironically, the hurricanes which caused so much damage, helped solidify a new direction for Wildflower ministry — that of reaching out to the local community. Western North Carolina Diocesan mem - bers may remember Wildflower primarily as a place that always squeezed in one more disabled person who needed a place to stay. Now, however, after a year and a half in Florida, their modest country home is bulging at the seams with current residents. According to Duncan, in addition to focusing on its role as a haven for current members, Wildflower has become known as an area outreach ministry.

At Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose, where community members attend, Wildflower is on call by the priest and deacon for people in need. The community assists with transportation, elder companioning for caregiver respite, counseling and an array of other tasks. Their large surplus of eggs goes to those in need. “After four serious storms in five weeks, people haven’t psychologically recovered: they lost cars, homes,” said Duncan.

Wildflower is a voluntary community of persons with a wide variety of disabilities. They receive no government assistance beyond what individuals may receive from their own Disability Insurance. Each resident, including the director, pays a modest sum from their own pocket into the community fund to cover their housing and food.

The ministry got its start in the late 1980s in Asheville when Duncan, Ramona Woods and former resident John Estes opened their home to others with disabilities. A wide variety of residents came and went over the years, helped along the way. Many WNC diocesan churches and members assisted in supplying financial support, and the colorful Wildflower yearly celebrations with Eucharist at the farm do not go forgotten.

Today, Wildflower has six residents: Ramona Woods, Luke Duncan, Paige Booth, Cole Booth, Boyce Booth and Bill Mattia.

The ministry is overtly Christian. While not requiring attendance of its members, Morning Prayer is said daily and weekly worship at Trinity continue to be mainstays of the community. Duncan currently facilitates a discussion class on “evangelism and where the Episcopal church is moving in the 21st Century.” Several residents attend a Christian meditation exercise class that uses the Jesus Prayer as its basis. The community also assists with the church’s involvement in a local thrift store.

“Our area is ripe for evangelism and outreach,” said Duncan. “It took awhile to get re-established, where people now know about us. We’re limited to help financially, but physically able to help a great deal.” What are residents doing these days? Well of course they do things like go to the beach and the county fair and share cooking, cleaning, yard work, cleaning up after the hurricanes and all of that stuff. But, what in particular?” Ramona’s new adventure is the Episcopal Church Women and helping Josh live in community. Her role continues as sounding board and surrogate mother to the com - munity. The animals are very important to her.

Duncan has switched his role from director to facilitator. ”I’m learning I’m better at... helping people do their jobs... making sure things happen,” he said. Duncan is the main cook and chauffeur in addition to facilitation of the community — a role that keeps him hopping. His avocation is chickens — yes, 80 of them, 6 guineas and 1 duck. They, along with the dogs and cats serve therapeutically for the communi - ty.

Paige maintains his interest in wrestling and Elvis Presley. He is now an hour from his natural mother and gets to see her often, said Duncan.

Boyce is working maintenance for a pri - vate school and is doing very well, said Duncan. He assists with the heavy chores and has been helpful with the hurricane cleanup.

Cole will be 21 years old in December. Many will remember him as the shy 11- year-old who came to live at the Wildflower farm. He has a full-time job in a grocery warehouse and is also doing very well, said Duncan. He maintains the website and does “ things that need to be done when there is no one else to do it,” said Duncan. “Cole is a hard worker.”

Wildflower continues to remember and miss the camaraderie of the people and churches of WNC, said Duncan. The Episcopal churches helped from the beginning and we still pray the WNC prayer calendar and for individuals by name, he said. They have a prayer request link on their website, he said.

Persons desiring to contact the Wildflower Community may do so at: http://www.wildflower.com or email at: wildflowerxncm@aol.com