Dungarvin New Mexico has supported Larry since 2011, when he came to live in a Dungarvin Supported Living home and later transitioned to a Family Living setting. He has been through major adjustments in his life since he had a severe seizure 20 years ago, which caused significant behavioral challenges, including episodes of physical and verbal aggression.
It’s been a long road to a good life again, but Larry has navigated it successfully, thanks to his own perseverance and positive attitude, and steady support from Dungarvin staff and his Family Living Services provider.
Subsequent to his seizure and hospitalization in 2005, Larry was placed in emergency supported living with another disability services organization. He had ongoing difficulty adjusting to the this group home model, particularly because of the frequent changes in staffing. Not knowing who would be working with him each day created stress and instability for him, which often contributed to his behavioral escalations.
When he moved into a Dungarvin New Mexico Supported Living home in September 2011, he worked extensively with his Dungarvin team, including his Behavior Support Consultant (BSC), to learn how to recognize early signs of distress and use calming techniques to manage his emotions more effectively.
Despite these interventions, Larry continued to struggle in the Supported Living setting. However, during the COVID-19 shutdown, he was able to transition to Dungarvin Family Living Services, in which a Dungarvin-trained caregiver supports him in their own home. This environment provides consistent daily support from a familiar caregiver, which has contributed to his stability and overall well-being.
Larry serves as his own guardian and remains a strong, effective self‑advocate. He demonstrates maturity, responsibility and solid decision‑making skills.
Larry has thrived in this setting, demonstrating increased emotional regulation and a notable reduction in behavioral incidents. As a result of his progress, Larry no longer needs BSC support.
He remains conscientious about his health needs, avoiding activities that could trigger a seizure. He’s also mindful of how his condition may affect those around him and is often concerned with ensuring others feel comfortable and at ease.
Highly independent, he requires minimal assistance in daily living and maintains appropriate social boundaries, greeting others with handshakes or fist bumps. His professionalism, respectfulness and positive demeanor are consistent across settings.
Larry also is a dedicated worker who has been employed with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation since 2017. He is known for his exceptional memory — especially with dates and numbers — which serves him well in his job responsibilities.
In addition to his work ethic, Larry has an impressive eye for photography. He is able to capture professional‑quality photos using only his phone, demonstrating both creativity and technical skill.
Larry serves as his own guardian and remains a strong, effective self‑advocate. He demonstrates maturity, responsibility and solid decision‑making skills. In all environments, he presents as dependable, considerate, and self‑sufficient, making him a valued member of both his workplace and his community.
Dungarvin is incredibly proud of Larry for the way he has continued to develop his coping skills and adjust to a different way of life. We wish him all the best, as he continues to move forward to reach his goals.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning how you can receive support from Dungarvin, please visit us at www.dungarvin.com to learn more.