National Senior Citizens Day is an annual celebration of older adults and a time to support, honor and appreciate their contributions to communities nationwide. The Stayton at Museum Way senior living community in Fort Worth, believes in celebrating its residents much more frequently than once a year. In fact, the staff has established a quarterly recognition program to pay tribute to its residents regularly. Most recently, Dr. John Richardson and Dr. Donna Reynolds were honored for their remarkable accomplishments of the past and for the way they are continuing to affect positive change in the Fort Worth community and well beyond. Richardson is widely known as one of the most respected and prestigious pediatricians in Fort Worth, based on the tremendous and far-reaching impact his compassion and love for children have made and continue to make. Reynolds, a fourth-generation Texan, has sought ways to serve others all her life through career opportunities, volunteerism and simply living life. If she sees a need, she aims to fulfill it because that is how she was raised. Reynolds remains involved in the Champions for Life Prison Ministries, which has allowed her to travel to prisons in various places and be a part of encouraging many individuals to make positive choices in their lives. Both are modest about their achievements, but The Stayton recently took time to honor them at a Town Hall meeting and capture some highlights of their experiences.
“I chose pediatrics to pursue as my specialty because it was the most fun to me,” said Richardson. “I enjoyed learning about children and working with them during medical school, and I realized, starting med school with two children of my own, that I was truly passionate about pediatrics.”
Richardson also became interested in learning more about helping those with disabilities. Having dealt with dyslexia himself, he spoke to PTAs and church groups about the disorder and personally counseled the parents of a child whom he diagnosed with dyslexia to ensure they found a willing elementary school teacher to serve as a tutor for the child. He later was instrumental in establishing The Key School, an institution specifically for children with learning disabilities, which will have its 50th anniversary next year.
“I looked for specific ways to share my knowledge and expertise wherever I could within the community, especially when it came to ways I could help children,” said Richardson. “I acknowledge that the entire city of Fort Worth has stepped up and helped with all of my endeavors. Most of my accomplishments are simply the result of tremendous community support. Now I’m grateful to have that on a more personal level within The Stayton community.”
Now retired, Richardson was the pediatrician for the Edna Gladney Home, now known as the Gladney Center for Adoption in Fort Worth for 29 years. That was in addition to his regular practice. After resigning from the Gladney Center, Richardson created a program that became known as the “Baby Moses Law,” which was first passed into law in 1999 and now is recognized in some form in nearly all 50 states. This allows an individual to confidentially and safely drop off his/her baby at any hospital or fire station without fear of prosecution. Richardson worked to create this law because he was always troubled by the overwhelming number of reported abandoned babies left in dumpsters or in harm’s way. It’s one that he is grateful has taken effect and expanded in coverage across the country.
Another project that Richardson is proud to have helped make a reality is the WARM Place. When a friend’s daughter was struggling with how to adjust after the loss of her older brother to cancer, it occurred to Richardson that in the 1980s, there was no place for children to receive grief support in north Texas. He therefore helped create this program, which stands for “What About Remembering Me.”
“Ultimately, I’ve had a lot of family support and a lot of support from the community at large,’” said Richardson. “Big projects and significant results like some of these I’ve been a part of could not happen without a lot of collaboration and moving parts working together.”
Similarly, Donna Reynolds has devoted decades of her life to helping others and understands the value of working with many different organizations to get things accomplished. Reynolds volunteered on the George W. Bush Transition Team and was asked to head up the Human Resources Divisions at the Office of the Governor. She later served as Executive Director for the Governor’s Commission for Women under First Lady Laura Bush. That position led to numerous leadership and volunteer opportunities - one of which was being appointed by George W. Bush to the President’s Summit for America’s Future, part of a five-person delegation led by General Colin Powell. This project addressed the need for at-risk children to have a positive ongoing relationship with a caring adult as a mentor, tutor or coach, as well as safe places and structured activities during non-school hours.
“Back before there were iPads and Smartphones, people were more closely connected, and family units were stronger because of the time spent together giving back and volunteering within communities,” said Reynolds. “I think life is now so busy with more women working, longer commute times and workdays, that it’s become immensely difficult for people to find extra hours in the day to volunteer. With a blended family of seven children, my husband and I tried to instill a strong work ethic and tried to be the example for service to our family, friends and community. God has blessed my life in many ways. It’s a matter of sharing that blessing with others and being thankful for the day I’ve been given.”
Reynolds earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and Development, and then went back to school at the encouragement of her husband completing a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry. Just two months ago, she received her Ph.D. in Philosophy through Trinity Theological Seminary. Most of her work and volunteerism draws from this education and experience. Reynolds served part-time for Marketplace Chaplains and still participates as time permits in the Champions for Life Prison Ministries.
“This is a unique program because volunteers, called ‘teammates,’ from all walks of life participate in evangelism training as they prepare to meet and eat with prisoners,” explained Reynolds. “Athletes, entertainers and musicians present their talents along with their testimony. This talent will establish the credibility that goes along with their portrayal of the message.”
Reynolds spends much of her time visiting The Stayton residents in other levels of care, sending them notes of encouragement, making small flower arrangements to brighten their rooms and praying for them as well as sometimes sharing a meal with them. On occasion, Reynolds plays the piano during The Stayton receptions and serves as the substitute pianist for The Stayton Sunday School class in assisted living. Having lost her husband not long ago, this way of giving back and lifting others up actually gives her a boost and keeps her busy, stimulated and actively thinking of others rather than thinking of her own loss.
“I want them to know they are loved and to strengthen their spirit and devotion to God,” said Reynolds. “In The Bible, Jesus used a parable recorded in Matthew 25:31 to describe how the choices we make on earth will determine our eternal life: ‘I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ I believe we are to pay it forward.”
“I am so glad we launched this quarterly recognition program to take time to capture our residents’ stories, acknowledge their accomplishments and thereby allow our entire community to learn more about each individual who lives here and make connections with their neighbors,” said Scott Polzin, The Stayton at Museum Way’s executive director. “We have some truly inspirational residents here, and we are dedicated to letting them know how much we appreciate them.”