By Kelli Martino

Joyce Ryan, a veteran preschool teacher at The Arc of Chester County, has been a beacon in The Arc community for over four decades. She has been a leader, teacher, friend, and advocate, beloved by preschool students and staff alike. Joyce’s most recent milestone was celebrating her 31st teaching anniversary at The Arc. 2020 also marked another notable milestone: retirement.

On her last day at The Arc, Joyce returned her classroom keys and made her way to the parking lot. A surprise parade of vehicles began circling the lot in her honor. Staff, fellow-teachers, and students, both past and present, honked, cheered, and held signs expressing gratitude and goodbyes. Nina, 23, one of Joyce’s former students, was part of the motorcade. Joyce and Nina have remained close. Joyce’s role expanded to natural support for Nina and her family over the past 12 years.

Many preschool families like Nina’s remain connected to The Arc following graduation. The Arc of Chester County’s mission is to provide advocacy, services, and resources from birth through a participant’s lifetime.

“Parents still need help when they leave our preschool program,” said Joyce. “We take good care of our families and when their children transition away it can be a real eye opener. This is when the work of advocacy really kicks in.”

Joyce speaks from personal experience and her own journey. She is the mother of three daughters and her eldest, Jessica, has multiple disabilities.

Joyce and her family moved to Pennsylvania when Jessica was one year old. Jessica experienced debilitating seizures at an early age, becoming medically fragile with multiple disabilities. Joyce was introduced to The Arc of Chester County through a trusted neurologist and home-based services. Prior to The Arc location on Lawrence Drive in West Chester, services were offered at multiple centers, including First Step where Jessica received care. Joyce became involved with The Arc in multiple roles – initially as a parent, then a Board Member, and ultimately adding teacher to her repertoire.

“I’ve enjoyed being a liaison between the board and staff and being able to give perspective from all my roles: parent, fundraiser, committee member, board member, and teacher,” she said.

Joyce continued teaching at The Arc while caring for Jessica at home, with assistance from the Coatesville Child Development Center (The IU). As the years progressed, Jessica’s disabilities would require round-the-clock care and residential placement. Joyce cites Barbara Beck, former Arc honoree, as her lifeline to a parent support group of children with multiple disabilities. This network helped Joyce through the difficult years ahead.

“I tried to continue caring for Jess myself, but it was a delicate balance between family, work, and self-care,” she said. “I was exhausted, depleted, and couldn’t physically manage by myself anymore.”

Jessica was welcomed into St. Edmond’s Home for Children run by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia but aged out at 21. Finding full-time adult care proved even more daunting.

Government waivers limit the number of full-time care options; most services are geared toward in-home supports. Advocacy and a strong network helped Joyce and Jessica finally find an optimal solution. “It took a village and people in our corner to find Jessica’s home in Nottingham,” Joyce said. “A bed had opened but our fight didn’t end there. The facility advocated on our behalf and helped with red tape and even a trial run to secure Jessica’s place.”

Today, Jessica is 40 years old and has been a happy, well-cared-for resident for 17 years.

Joyce brought the same heart, resiliency, and dedication to her role as teacher at The Arc preschool. Empathy and understanding fueled her commitment as she knew, first-hand, the challenges Arc families faced. Her determination and passion were a constant for decades.

Joyce’s contribution will be recognized by The Arc with the distinguished Founder’s Award for Lifetime Achievement at The Arc of Chester County Donor Awards Celebration on Oct. 14. The award represents over four decades of Joyce’s achievement and dedicated service, following in the footsteps of The Arc founders.

Joyce taught us all the power of advocacy and community on quality of life. Joyce’s fan club runs four decades long, 50 parade cars deep, and hundreds of loving arms wide. She credits her daughter Jessica for the path that led her to The Arc.

“It was Jessica who brought me here and to all the amazing people who’ve become family and friends,” Joyce said.

The feeling is mutual, and although Joyce will be missed, the lasting friendships she’s made – and her legacy – will last a lifetime.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli Martino is the Development Manager at The Arc of Chester County, a leading provider of services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. Through education and support, The Arc’s dedicated staff patiently guides people with disabilities toward the most self-sufficient life possible. The ultimate goal of all programs and services is to help each person reach his or her greatest level of independence. Click here to learn more.

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