Come closer by lending a helping hand

- Women’s age at Martha’s Manor ranges from 18- to 60- years-old, there have been younger and older women there before
- The women do daily activities like board games, coloring, and playing outside
- During the holidays, volunteers help the women decorate and celebrate


Suzy Parks, 26, enjoys rocking back and forth in her chair while starring at the mature magnolia tree that has grown strong outside her window at Martha’s Manor, an independent supportive living program for handicapped women based in Memphis.


Martha’s Manor, located off White station and Quince next to Bill Hardwick’s All Star Lanes, allows several handicapped women to live normally with each other, and each helps one another overcome life struggles that in return bring them closer together.


“Since she was born prematurely she has been living with physical and mental handicaps that give her more daily obstacles to overcome than most the girls living here,” says Mike Hodges, 44, caretaker at Martha’s Manor during the day. “We planted the tree three years ago because she said she would enjoy one, but we didn’t know how much it meant to her until we got it in the ground.”


Every morning there are tough obstacles Parks faces that seem like normal tasks to others. Parks says that the qualities of the tree – strong, young and beautiful – are ones that she lives by to make it day after day.


Parks is assisted with any tasks that involve reaching above her neck because her shoulders are crippled to the point where she can’t reach any higher. Which means she needs assistance brushing her hair and teeth; along with being feed.


“I don’t see myself different from anybody else just because I need extra care,” says Parks. “I can walk and talk like everyone does. If I was scared to live because of my handicaps then I don’t think I would be as healthy as I am today.”


Parks lives with seven other women in the house that are very important to her because when Hodges isn’t around Parks’ roomies pitch in to help her. They always want to pick the outfits she wears that day, style her hair fashionably, and help feed her during meal times, Hodges says.


The women who stay with Parks have similar physical and mental handicaps, but none are to the degree of Parks’. Even with disabilities, helping each other that need it the most is very important, Diana Williams, 34, a handicapped resident at Martha’s Manor for five years said with a smile.


“Without everyone’s help I wouldn’t be able to live here independently with the other women as I do,” Parks said. “Martha’s Manor has given me a family and safe haven built around hope and love.”