Renewal
The New Year always brings with it a sense of renewal.
A renewed commitment to losing weight.
A renewed commitment to staying within budget.
A renewed commitment to taking that long-awaited trip.
It’s the New Year!
For individuals with disabilities, the New Year brings on a renewal that’s slightly different.
A renewed commitment to fighting for dignity.
A renewed commitment to accessing basic housing, food, and medical care.
A renewed commitment to being able to navigate public spaces comfortably.
Many of the accommodations now afforded to individuals with disabilities, came at the hands of disability rights activists. In 2024, we lost a few of our greatest champions.
Disability champions we mourned in 2024
Brooke Ellison – Paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident as a child, Brooke would go on to graduate from Harvard. She championed cutting edge research that could be used to improve or potentially reverse debilitating physical disabilities. She passed away in February 2024.
Cola Boyy – A musician who suffered from diseases that affected his spine and hampered movement, passed away in March 2024. As a successful independent musician, he raised awareness about artists like him who also had disabilities.
Dale Coski – Following a car accident where she lost one of her legs and much of the use of her body from the neck down, Dale, became a passionate disabilities rights activist in Colorado. She advocated for accessibility parking spaces and for service dogs to be allowed inside buildings. She passed away in September 2024.
Diane Coleman – She was the President and CEO of Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights group which she founded in 1996 to give voice to disability rights opposition to legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia. She passed away in November 2024.
Continuing their legacy in 2025 and beyond
Although we mourn these amazing disability champions, we know their work isn’t done. We’re here to continue on the path they blazed for us.
We reflect on our own founder, Ruth, who in 1974, moved with compassion only a mother knows for her son, created a safe and nurturing space to cater to his disabilities.
This safe and nurturing space has been operating for 50+ years as KenCCID. Families entrust KenCCID with their loved ones knowing our vision to ensure that the rights, safety and well-being of the Individuals are protected and observed at all times.
Mission focused
KenCCID’s mission is focused on 3 primary areas:
- Housing to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our residents
- Medical care focused on enhancing the quality of life
- Job support to foster independent living
Our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Community House Managers (CHMs) enable KenCCID to provide housing for the full spectrum of care from independent living to 24-hour nursing support. Because of KenCCID, individuals with disabilities don’t struggle with housing insecurity and are able to venture out into the community to fully participate in various art, music, dining, and other cultural events that add value to their lives.
Our nursing staff work tirelessly to ensure our individuals with disabilities have their medical needs met and can make their doctor’s appointments.
Earning a living is important to all of us, even more so to individuals with disabilities. KenCCID is grateful to be in partnership with many employers within the Philadelphia community who ensure that individuals with disabilities can earn a living.
While our hearts remain broken by the deep losses we felt in 2024, our mission to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities remains forever steadfast.