Child Development Center
For the past 20 years, Marilyn Grant, 62, has devoted her career to Easter Seals of West Kentucky, first helping with kids in the classroom, and more recently, taking care of all the administrative statistics. She’s committed to the center and to her church, family and friends. And now, after 11 years as a widow, she might just possibly — just maybe — be ready to fall in love again.Marilyn Grant, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! It’s so cool that you work at Easter Seals!
I love it. It’s amazing. The kids teach us a lot of things.
Like what?
With the vast majority of the children, no matter what their disability, they can learn. They have their own special talents. You really come to understand that no matter how big our own challenges are, we shouldn’t complain.
So you’ve been with the Easter Seals center quite awhile?
Twenty years. I started working with kids in the classroom and then switched to administration in 1995. It’s a wonderful, quality daycare center. We have space for only 12 children between six weeks to 1 year old, and for more than 100 children between 1 and 12 years old. So there’s a waiting list. My son and daughter-in-law are on the waiting list, and they’re not even expecting yet!
It’s neat that the daycare is mixed with special needs kids and other kids.Yes, and I think it’s good for both groups. With special needs kids, usually when we get them, they’re shy, they can’t talk or walk. And then when they play and interact with the other kids, you really see how quickly they progress. They gain social skills and they push themselves and are encouraged by the other kids. It’s amazing how far they can come.
And other kids benefit from seeing special needs kids. Usually, kids make fun of anyone different from them. But when you grow up with kids who are different, you don’t think of them that way.
Special needs kids would like to do everything that normal kids do — if there is such a thing as a normal kid! Both groups need exposure to one another.
I can see why you love it here.
The Easter Seals adult center is just as touching. You’d be surprised by the talents and skills you’ll find there. For example, it’s not unusual to find someone who may not be able to hear, but he or she is an amazing artist. They all have special gifts somewhere else. No matter how severe your disability is, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. It’s amazing.
Is the adult center mixed, as well?
Yes. It’s for anyone who needs care during the day.
Our challenge is that we take kids from six weeks to age 12, and then the adult center takes people from age 16 and up. So there’s a gap in care for kids between 13 and 16. We’re trying to figure out what we can do there. They can stay in the school system until they’re 21, but there’s nothing for them during the summer.
So what’s your role in administration?I do the billing, the statistics reports, the aging reports. We have to report our statistics — how many children we serve in each area, their ages and disabilities. It’s a lot of numbers. Every day is different.
The children’s center is gorgeous. After 20 years, this new facility must be incredible to you.
We’re growing and they’re offering more. When I started, it wasn’t integrated. Now it is. And we have this new building where we can handle a bigger enrollment. And it’s a healthier environment. There was extensive research done to get it this way.
Like what?
Well, the individual classrooms circle around a big room in the center where all the kids can come in and play. And there are kitchenettes between each classroom for snacks, along with washers and dryers, storage areas and little commodes and sinks for the kids. And the outdoor playground has a special spongy ground so that if they fall, the kids don’t get hurt.
The team is always looking for new things for the kids to do, and we’re always applying for grants to try out new teaching methods.
It’s tough enough to be a parent, I would think. But a parent of a special needs child — it must be exceptionally hard.
I have to give some of the parents credit. It’s not easy. God must pick special people to do it. The parents are really good here. We’re blessed. And special needs kids will give you a blessing in return. Several parents say it’s they who are blessed because they get so much in return.
What do you do when you’re not at Easter Seals?
I volunteer a lot for my church, St. Francis de Sales. And my mother-in-law lives here now, so I spend time with her. Her husband died 10 months before her son — my husband — died.
Your husband passed away?
Yes, 11 years ago.
How long were you married?
We were married 28 years. I was blessed.
How did you meet?
I was at a friend’s house, and this guy came in and said, “Does anyone want to go for a ride?” And I said yes, and then he asked me out in the car. That was in August. We were engaged in December and married the following November.
Engaged in four months! That’s so sweet! You had a good marriage?
I did. It was terrific. But he was diagnosed with cancer in 1996 and struggled for 11 months without getting any better. He’s at peace now.
So have you dated since then?
No, not at all. I don’t know. I just wouldn’t settle for anything less, and I don’t know if I can get that again. I can’t do the Internet or bar thing. My kids will say, “You’re not even looking!” And it’s true. God would have to deposit him on the front porch.
Well, I reckon he’d have to be the postman or the Orkin man or something!It’s OK. I’m content.
Marilyn, you’re DAR-LING! There’s a good one out there for you!
I’m open to it, I’m just a little shy about it. I don’t want someone who’s 15 years older than I am, or 15 years younger. But I do miss the companionship. I’d like someone to go out with. Someone strong in their faith — that’s important to me.
You’re active in church?
Yes. And I do ceramics. There are four of us who get together every week and paint. I like to read. My friends and I also go to the Market House Theatre shows, the Carson Center and movies. And I like sports.
Which ones?
Football basically. I like pro football. We had Steelers tickets when we lived in Pennsylvania.
Wow, well that’s a big ol’ plus! Men love women who love football!He’d have to like dogs. I have a shih tzu who’s 14 and a half.
What’s his name?
Sax.
Saks? Like Saks Fifth Avenue?
No, Sax. After Kenny G. Short for saxophone.
Oh, you got me all excited there for a moment. Well, Marilyn Grant, oh la la. So not 15 years older — so that rules out Clint Eastwood. And not 15 years younger — so Johnny Depp is out. No doubt there’s a great 60s-ish Harrison Ford type out there for you! Date on, Marilyn Grant!
