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BY CHRISTINE KUMAR
UMCONNECTION STAFF

With an air of happy distraction, David Windbeck sat in his brown reclining chair, tearing magazines while watching television without a care in the world. His parents didn't blink, as the shredded magazines were scattered about the carpet.

They've learned that there are countless more important things to worry about than a little mess.

Windbeck, 41, is one of thousands of people in the United States who has Angelman syndrome. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was 25 years old. As a result of the disease, Windbeck's brain has been damaged. He cannot talk or live independently.

According to the National Institute of Health's Web site, Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes developmental delay and neurological problems. Some of its systems are hyperactivity, small head size, sleep disorders, and movement and balance disorders that can cause severe functional deficits.

"People like David are heroes of the world, we look at David as a blessing," said Fred Windbeck, David's father.

Windbeck and his wife Caroline, members of Ashton UMC, also feel blessed for CALMRA, Inc., a residential program that serves people with cognitive disabilities. David lives in his residential home where volunteers and staff members supervise him and others. He visits his parents on most weekends.

"My wife and I were determined to introduce David to the community and the community to David," Windbeck said. "This was a benefit to both the community and to David." As part of his weekend outings, David has became a beloved member of the Ashland church family."

Windbeck credits many people who have worked hard to establish CALMRA. It began 26 years ago, when the Windbecks attended a support group for parents with disabled children at First UMC in Hyattsville.

The group met to support one another and discuss funding a residential program that catered to their loved ones. They met Nancy Tolbert, who worked as a direct service provider in a group home. She worked in county and state agencies serving the disabled as well as for a non-profit group in the county.

"Our group had $20,000 in our treasury at that time and we asked Mrs. Tolbert to be our executive director," said Windbeck.

Tolbert contacted the state agency and offered to open two homes to six women residents with the $20,000 that was in the treasury. "The state accepted that offer and thus began a residential program called CALMRA," said Windbeck. "She got the program started and 15 years later she still remains our executive director."

Today CALMRA owns 14 homes in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. The budget has grown from $20,000 to a proposed budget of $3.8 million for 2009.

"I see CALMRA as a ministry that got its start from the Methodist church," said Windbeck. "Last year, CALMRA was awarded a "Standard of Excellence Certification," by the Maryland non-profits organization."

Windbeck also credits CALMRA's success to First UMC in Hyattsville, Ashton UMC and other organizations for their financial support.

"We are so happy with the care that David gets in his home," his mother, Caroline Windbeck, said. He moved to his home in 1995 and has the same caregiver and we are very happy to witness the care and love that David is given," she said.

But Windbeck also worries what will happen to David and to others in the program as the original group of parents ages.

While there is no immediate danger, new people need to be drawn into this ministry of caring that gives dignity and possibility to people with cognitive disabilities.

"This is too important," Windbeck said. "Anyone with an interest in supporting this work should step forward."

Windbeck can be reached at 301-774-7214.