Susan Evans has found a home at Hosanna in Hixson.
Susan Evans opens her well-worn guitar case, locates the ever-elusive pick, and walks with slow but steady steps back to her chair. The chair is situated comfortably in front of
glass double doors leading to a private patio. The glass doors serve to flood the room with sunlight, illuminating every corner of this cozy space.
Susan settles comfortably in her chair and without the benefit of sheet music, her small hands pick out her favorite hymn - Amazing Grace. The rendition is neither long nor
complicated, but clear, sweet notes fill the room. As does Susan’s ready smile.
None of this would be very remarkable, except Susan is blind. Born without eyesight 45 years ago, Susan has never seen the sheet music for Amazing Grace, or the sunlight that streams through the doors behind her chair. But she has heard the notes to that old hymn, and she has felt the warmth of the sun’s rays, and that is enough to keep her smiling.
“My life hasn’t been a bed of roses,” she says, “when I was young, for a while I was very depressed and crying all the time. I just didn’t understand my situation. I thought I could do it all myself, but I had to put my situation in the Lord’s hands.”
At 7 months old, Susan and her sister were given up for adoption. Her birth mother could not afford to care for two small children, and her father was in prison. Susan was taken in by a foster family near Knoxville, where money was often in short supply, but where love was found in abundance.
“We lived out in the country,” remembers Susan, “My foster mom and dad had 3 older children by birth, and lots of foster kids. Once they had 9 boys at one time!”
From the age of 8 until she was 18, Susan spent the school year at a boarding school for the blind. After graduating in 1974, Susan returned home, where her foster parents
continued to care for her. Life took on a steady routine. “Mom would let me help her wash dishes and weed the garden, and they would take us camping and shopping. I love to shop.”
In 1995, Susan’s foster daddy passed away, leaving behind his aging wife and blind daughter. Knowing Susan needed a place for her future, her mother began looking for a home. “She looked in Knoxville,” explains Susan, “but we kept getting doors slammed in our faces.”
A social worker from Human Services heard about their search and brought Susan and her mother a brochure from Hosanna, a home for physically challenged adults right here in Chattanooga. “We almost gave up,” says Susan, “Mom and I both almost gave up finding me a place to live, then this came along.”
And this became Susan’s new home. In January of 1998, Susan said goodbye to the woman who had cared for her since she was 7 months old, and moved into Hosanna. After being cared for her entire life, this was an adjustment for Susan. “When I first
came, I had always been kind of sheltered. But I thought ‘I can do this. I can learn to make some meals and work the dishwasher. I can be independent.’”
Being independent is what Hosanna is all about. Residents help with household chores, and participate in household decisions. Those who are able to work can get employment
through Hosanna’s contacts with job placement services. Gainful employment for the physically challenged is an opportunity that is still rare in today’s society.
Molly Miles is a past president of Hosanna and current board member who has been with the ministry since its inception in 1992. Molly has seen firsthand the independence
Hosanna offers the physically challenged. “A decade after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 70% of the physically challenged are still out of work,” she says. “Here at Hosanna, they have a place to live and access to jobs and transportation.”
Resident Sarah Gussow is confined to a wheelchair from cerebral palsy, but Hosanna has given her new opportunities. “I moved to Chattanooga and into Hosanna because I didn’t want to live alone, because of the public transportation in town, and so that I could get a good job, which I did,” she says. Sarah is a service representative with the Social Security Administration.
The Carta Care-A-Van is available for transportation to and from jobs. Hosanna also has a wheelchair accessible bus for doctor’s appointments and group activities. There are personal care assistants available for help with transportation needs on the bus, as well as any other help that is needed day-to-day. “The nice thing about Hosanna,” Sarah says, “is that not only do the RA’s help us, but the residents help each other.”
Situated on 7 acres in Hixson, Hosanna is now putting the finishing touches on its second home. The first home has 10 private rooms, 2 for RA’s and 8 for residents. Each of the
rooms have those double glass doors leading to a footpath. The path circles the entire house and connects with two large patios where residents can fellowship and enjoy fresh
air. There is also a wheelchair accessible raised garden, where wheelchair-bound residents are able to plant and care for flowers and vegetables.
All of the landscaping, as well as everything else here, has been donated. Either the services were donated by a company, or they were paid for by a grant from a church,
foundation or individual. “We stepped out in faith, and we couldn’t keep the houses open without their support,” Molly says of the community.
Hosanna received grants from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to help in building their two houses, but they receive no supplemental support. A monthly fee is charged to residents to cover room, food, utilities and transportation. A scholarship fund has been established to help those who may not be able to meet the full fee. “The
scholarship is funded by individuals and churches,” says Molly, “they fill a great need.”
A tour of this home makes that very evident. There is the great room with board games, a television, even computers for the residents. The kitchen is large and open, with enough
space for a wheelchair to maneuver. The wide hallway that leads to the resident’s rooms is known as the “Hall of Fame.” The walls are covered with pictures of past and current residents. It is a way to remember friends who have moved on, many because they grew to need more care than this facility could provide.
At the end of the Hall of Fame is Susan’s room. The sign on her door spells out the rules.
1. Knock
2. Wipe your feet
3. Entrance fee - one cookie
4. Call me by my first name
Although Susan cannot see her guests, she recognizes them easily by their voice. “It’s remarkable that she can hear your voice one time and she’ll always remember you,” says Molly. “Susan has been wonderful for Hosanna. She has such a joyous spirit.”
Susan’s sharp memory has served her well through the years, especially with her music. Playing old hymns and folk songs “by ear” is one of her favorite pastimes. “I enjoy playing my guitar,” she says, “it makes me happy.”
As Susan sits in her chair playing her favorite song, Amazing Grace, the words, though unsung, echo in the room:
I once was lost
But now am found.
Was blind,
But now I see.
Hosanna is now accepting applications for residents in their second home. If you would like more information on the opportunities Hosanna offers physically challenged adults,
or if you know of someone who could benefit from their services, please call: (423) 870-6880.