Real Families. Real Stories. Real Possibilities.
Every family's journey is different, but the hope for a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful adult life is something we all share.
At Daymark Living in Waxahachie, Texas, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have opportunities to build independence, develop friendships, explore new interests, and create a life of their own.
Hear directly from families and the people who know Daymark best as they share personal experiences, meaningful milestones, and what finding the right community has meant to them.
A Place to Call Home | Dr. Molly Denny
Dr. Molly Denny, Director of Community Life at Daymark Living, shares how residents develop everyday living skills, build independence, and discover a community that truly feels like home.
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my name is Molly Denny, and I am the director of community life here at Daymark Living. And I've been working on this project for almost 10 years now. Um, obviously it's been such a labor of love. I think one of the neatest things that I hear from families pretty regularly is that when their loved one comes home, when they go back home to visit, that they're doing their laundry and they're helping in the kitchen, just those daily things that we all do, um, that they just do without being nagged. They go home for a visit, which they're excited to do, but then after they've been there for two or three days, they're ready to come back to Daymark 'cause Daymark's home. And, like, that's how we all felt when we went to college. Um, I think out of our top 25, we still have, like, 19 of them, which is a huge testament to Daymark, 'cause there's a lot of people that live here that either their families didn't think they could be successful or we had some doubts, and we're always like, "Let's just try. Let's give it a shot." About 98% of the time it works. I never, in all the years I've worked at Daymark, have left here without a great story, um, and a smile on my face and feeling like I was touched by someone and feeling like I at least helped someone with some small problem. Um, and it's just really rewarding. So, um, definitely we're the blessed ones
It's Never Too Late to Discover Greater Independence
When Suzanne Johnston's daughter Cindy moved to Daymark at age 50, her family wasn't sure what to expect. Today, Cindy is embracing new experiences, growing in confidence, and enjoying what she calls her own college experience.
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Cindy I'm Suzanne Johnston, and my daughter, Cindy Johnston, is the new resident at Daymark living. Cindy's turning 51 on Monday. Uh, when you ask your last nestling to leave home, it's usually at 18 and not 50, and we were wondering how in the world she's gonna be able to make this transition. It has really, uh, exceeded any expectations that we could have had. We have just been so pleased, and she loves it here. You know, I think that, um, Cindy is so proud of herself, and she has felt like she has really grown up and matured even more. Mostly her own self-image and her confidence has been wonderful. But she feels like this is her college experience. She's always ready to go back. She's afraid she's missing something here. We called and asked her if she wanted to come home for 4th of July weekend, and she said, "Well, you know, I'm riding on the 4th of July parade in downtown Waxahachie, and then we're gonna have, we're gonna have sparklers and ice cream, and so I don't think I can come." It's a gift. It's a wonderful gift. But in the big scheme of things, as long as she's happy, we're happy.
Independence, Activities & Caring Coaches | Gabriel's Story
Gabriel's mom shares how much her son values his independence, his active daily schedule, and the supportive relationships he's developed with Daymark's coaches.
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Oh, I, I know what he will tell you, that he loves his independence. Absolutely move him in here because you're not going to get perfect. Living at home, I think is absolutely debilitating because in Gabriel's case, all he will do is watch TV the whole day, and I think they regress like that. I think the most important thing is to be totally occupied all the time. But beyond everything else is the coaches are phenomenal. I mean, they go above and beyond. He, here he goes to five classes a day. So I, I actually went to the front desk and I said, "You know, Gabriel's just, we just moved in. What does he do now?" They know. And that's when Emma came in and stepped in, and she was wonderful. I watch them when I'm here on a Sunday. I see Emma. I mean, she's amazing the way she goes from talking to women, talking to that, feeding them, hugging them. It, it's phenomenal to watch. They, they give a lot of love to the residents here. 'Cause we always told him it's okay to be different. That's how Ronnie and I brought him up. I think this is great. I mean, you're not going to find perfect any- anywhere. So total encouragement here, yes
Life After High School | Ramin's Story
Marzi Ranjbaran shares how finding Daymark helped her son, Ramin, build social connections, embrace greater independence, and find a home of his own after high school.
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Well, my name is Marzi Ranjbaran, and my son is Ramin, with the same last name, Ranjbaran. And when it comes after high school, you're left alone. You're on your own. You don't have any support. You don't have any programs. And we are very, very, very blessed that we found Daymark. A place like this not only can, uh, change the life of a disabled child, but also they can change the life of the entire family, and we all, you know, kind of feel more secure and happier. Ramin is much more social right now, and he, uh, came to the point that he has accepted that this is the life he's going to be from now on. He has his more permanent home in Daymark, and, um, that's, that is really, really good. When, uh, my son, um, calls us or we call him and he says that, "Oh, Mom, I don't have time. I have to go," or, "I call you later," that makes me happy, very delight. It is not just, you know, providing a shelter or, uh, living for them. They are providing a life for them.
Every Journey Toward Independence Begins Somewhere
Whether your adult child is preparing for life after high school, exploring residential living for the first time, or considering a new chapter later in adulthood, Daymark Living is here to help you explore the possibilities.
We'd love to learn more about your family, answer your questions, and share what life at Daymark could look like for your loved one.