Ken and Jennifer Keisner
How long have you been connected with David’s Refuge?
6 years
Please explain any diagnosis your child has, and you have experience with.
We have a 19-year-old amazing daughter who has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability and Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder
What is your favorite part of being a host?
Helping the families learn about what is available to them and teaching them how to go about attaining these services. we also feel that it is important to “find your tribe”. Growing your tribe is sometimes hard but with David’s Refuge it gives us the avenue to lead us down the right path.
What is something you want your guests to know about you?
Ken is an amazing dad and has a great relationship with our daughter. He picks up the slack at home (laundry, dishes, cooking etc.) so that Jenn can volunteer helping the community. Jenn currently runs a special needs cheer team, 2 special needs theatre groups, is the Long Island Representative for Autism on the Seas and her “real” job is a Self-Direction Broker. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!
What is a piece of advice you have found invaluable as a family with experience in special needs or a medically fragile diagnosis?
The more involved you are, the better experience your family will have. If your child is school aged, join the school PTA and your SEPTA/SEPTO. Go to meetings and make sure that the “powers that be” know who you are for good reasons.
Which partner location is your favorite and why?
We helped bring David’s Refuge down to Long Island, so we are partial to any location there.
A genie grants you the ability to have infinite amount of one item. What is it?
Support!
What book changed your life?
The Secret
What is a question you wish people would ask you less?
How do you do it?