When Jonathan first arrived at the home of Dearmi Napitupulu and her husband Anto Pasaribu, he was in need of significant personal and medical care, which the Dungarvin Colorado Host Home providers addressed immediately.
Jonathan, 22, has profound intellectual and developmental disabilities. He’s nonverbal, requires a wheelchair and needs full support in all aspects of daily living. This includes transferring from bed to his wheelchair, feeding through a gastrostomy tube, bathing and other personal cares.
In November 2025, Jonathan’s grandmother sought services from Dungarvin, realizing she couldn’t provide the kind of support he needs.
Fortunately, Dearmi and Anto were up to the task, and it wasn’t long before Jonathan’s life began to transform for the better. Initially, the couple focused on hygiene and his medical issues, in particular, related to his feeding and gastrointestinal system. After making several doctor appointments for him, it was determined that he needed feeding adjustments, which resulted in Jonathan gaining necessary weight and feeling better.
The couple came up with creative solutions to some of the problems Jonathan experienced. For example, the young man has a tendency to bite and chew on his hand, even to the point of injuring himself. Dearmi and Anto found that putting a soft mitten-like cover over his hand takes care of the problem.
Jonathan had limited opportunities to get out into the community in his previous living situation, but Dearmi and Anto have greatly expanded his world. The couple take him outside every day, something he rarely enjoyed before living with them. They’re also working with Jonathan to stand more often and take a few steps, which is not only good for him, but will make transfers from his wheelchair and bed easier.
Seeing Mount Rushmore during their South Dakota trip.
These small adjustments are making a huge difference in Jonathan’s life, Dearmi said.
“The first time we took him outside, he was agitated. But we just took him for a walk, pushing him in his wheelchair, and it started to get better day by day,” Dearmi said, adding that she has noticed a change in his facial expressions and body as well. “We can see a difference and tell that he is happy. We can see it in his eyes, and we’ve seen him smile.”
Dearmi and Anto also support another man in their home, who has become Jonathan’s friend. They take the two out into the community often, and even purchased a van with a lift to facilitate the outings. They go to church, shopping malls, movies, parks, and gatherings with the couple’s Indonesian community group.
During the first few months in Jonathan’s new home, he sometimes expressed frustration or fear by hitting or kicking. Those behaviors are much less frequent these days.
“Every month when I visit him, he looks a little calmer, a little better,” said Andras Palyer, Dungarvin Colorado Program Director. “Dearmi and Anto are amazing providers. They just do whatever is necessary for him. They advocate for him and they come up with solutions to make his life easier.”
Jonathan enjoys watching a movie.
There’s no question that providing the level of support he needs is a lot of work every day. But Dearmi said she and Anto love it and don’t consider it difficult. “We do it from the heart, with happiness — that’s not hard, it’s easy.”
Dungarvin Colorado Director of Development Hayley Hufendick was delighted to see Jonathan with the couple last month during a Dungarvin 50th Anniversary event at the Denver Botanic Gardens. “Seeing him there, enjoying himself and being part of the celebration was so wonderful, and a great reminder of why this work matters.”
If you or someone you know is interested in learning how you can receive support from Dungarvin in Colorado or another state, please visit www.Dungarvin.com.