Meet Peter Zimmerman

Diagnosed with a brain tumor, a police officer re-learns how to live life with many physical impairments, thanks in part to WSSRA

BY MARYELLEN BILEK, MGW

Life was going smoothly for Peter Zimmerman in the late 1980s. He was living in Forest Park and was in his early twenties working as a policeman in a nearby village. Things turned chaotic when, in 1988, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery to remove the malignant growth occurred in 1989, followed by an arduous journey of radiation treatments and other medical care. Now more than 10 years later, Peter is free of cancer but living life with many physical impairments as a result of the cancer treatment.

The residual effects of the radiation have left Peter with near-paralysis on his left side, memory impairment, visual loss, orthopedic limitations and little stamina. His hearing and speech have been impaired as well.

During his rehabilitation, Peter's parents researched area community services that could benefit their son. Mrs. Zimmerman learned that her park district, the Park District of Forest Park, was a member of the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA). So she called WSSRA in 1996 to find out about its programs and services. The WSSRA outreach specialist visited Peter and his parents in their home. Rapport was soon developed and Peter was invited to join WSSRA in some weekly excursion-oriented trips.

The outreach specialist assured Peter that despite his physical impairment, he would be able to visit restaurants, museums, theaters and community events with WSSRA. For long-distance walks he could use a WSSRA wheel chair and staff would always be available to "drive" the wheel chair as well as an accessible lift van. While Peter was appreciative of the home visit, he was not willing to make the commitment to register. The outreach specialist stayed in touch with Peter each time a brochure of new WSSRA opportunities was available.

Soon after their initial meeting in Peter's home, he began to participate in a disability support group sponsored by Loyola Medical Center. In September of 1997, WSSRA's outreach specialist was the featured guest speaker and Peter found out that some of his friends in the support group were participating in WSSRA programs. They talked him into trying WSSRA's Take Time for Fun Club.

Peter began participation in the WSSRA programs that fall and continues today, now in his ninth season of involvement with the special recreation association.

"I go out two evenings per week with rec," says Zimmerman. "A driver comes and picks me up and we go out and have a ball."

The Take Time for Fun Club is an every other week excursion-oriented program. Each session offers three hours of exploring community, cultural and leisure events such as outdoor concerts, trips to the botanical gardens, visits to the area zoos and dining out. Comprised of adults who have mobility impairments from stroke, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions, the group fosters friendships and offers a supportive environment in which to share common experiences of rehabilitation struggles and coping with the grief and loss of having a disability. During Take Time for Fun, WSSRA recreation specialists often share with the group "how-to's" of adapting a previously enjoyed recreation pursuit to one's current ability level.

"WSSRA programs are a wonderful outlet for Peter," says Mrs. Zimmerman. "He can't watch TV all day and yet he cannot work either." (Peter's vocational options are minimal and have not been eagerly pursued due to an ever-changing physical state.)

"WSSRA helps him to focus on things other than himself," she adds.

Peter has begun to feel comfortable enough to visit some of the community sites with his family now that he has been introduced to them through WSSRA. WSSRA will continue to provide the assistance Peter needs to get out and enjoy life. The Zimmerman family is so grateful that the Park District of Forest Park is a member of the West Suburban Special Recreation Association. 

MARYELLEN BILEK, MGW
is an outreach specialist for the West Suburban Special Recreation Association.

July/August 1999 / 27