Community Partner: Graceworks Enhanced Living
Since 1922, Graceworks Enhanced Living has been a non-profit that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas of Ohio. Aspects of their work include medical and non-medical transportation, residential services, and several day programs. They focus especially on the values of dignity, wholeness of life, and respect for the individuals they serve.
Particularly in the Cincinnati day program, Graceworks Enhanced Living provides a place for individuals with IDD to be active and integrated within their community outside of the home environment through activity-based programming. These programs coordinate ways for individuals to practice their independence and self-expression through pursuing interests in hands-on crafts, physical exercise, community outings, and volunteer opportunities while caring for their unique needs such as bathrooming, feeding, wheelchair accessibility, and adaptations to behaviors.
About Trong
I was born in Vietnam but grew up in Bowling Green, KY for most of my life. In 2019, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Centre College in Danville, KY before starting 2 gap years in Baltimore, Maryland doing research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In 2021, I started my medical school journey at the University of Cincinnati, where I have realized my passion in the coordination of complex care in individuals, whether that be in physical or intellectual disabilities, terminal illnesses, or other life-limiting conditions. I want to specialize in palliative care through internal medicine to pursue this aspect of complex medicine. Likewise, I chose this elective for flexibility to further my understanding of the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have been working with Graceworks Enhanced Living for the past year and love the opportunity to continue enriching that relationship and to contribute to their values of serving and give back to their time with me.