Local Couple Providing Hope For Adults With Special Needs

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) –  Caring for an elderly loved one, or a family member with special needs can be taxing for caregivers.  In fact, a Tupelo husband and wife realized that several years ago, when they were faced with some difficult decisions. For seven years now, they have been working everyday, making a difference in the lives of many people.    In our salute to “Black History Month”, we see how the couple turned an unmet need into a full time business.

On a recent morning, clients at Caring Heart and Hands Adult Daycare took part in a group exercise session, then, played “Hot Potato.”  And Chris and Connie Sadler were right there.  The Sadler’s started the adult daycare  after Chris’ mother became ill, and needed round the clock care.

“I received a vision in 2005, was doing traveling nursing at that time, and his mom got sick. And we ended up having to take care of his mom, they didn’t have an adult daycare center anywhere.  After she passed we decided we would open an adult daycare center,” Connie said.

“Caring Heart and Hands ” began with one client in 2011, but quickly outgrew its first location, and is now in a 10,000 square foot space on East Franklin Street.

Each morning,  buses pick up clients from an eight county area.  They range in age from 21 through eighty something.   Each day has specific activities,  such as sewing,  arts and crafts , games and academics.

The Sadlers see their work as a ministry, and Chris starts each day the same.

“One of the activities which I enjoy is the devotion time we have here, there’s nothing like starting the morning out with a devotional, then it gets us in the frame of mind we can continue on, it gives us hope,” Chris said.

The Sadlers say providing hope, for clients and caregivers is their motivation.

“They’ve been loved on today, and when they leave and go home, they’re not there lonely, they know when the next day comes, Lord’s will, they will make it back out and get the same thing they got the day before,” Connie said.

Chris and Connie Sadler have room for about 70 more clients at the East Franklin Street location,  but they believe they will eventually need a bigger space, as word gets out about their mission and ministry.

Caring Heart and Hands Adult Daycare also has a location in Ecru.

caringheartandhandsadc.com

662 842 7970