Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID)

For a couple of years my friend Chuck Heller, a fellow member of the Rotary Club of Tacoma kept asking me to join him with the efforts to support the organization of TACID. It looked like it was an interesting group, a number of Rotary members were involved, but they met at the same time where I had other commitments. Finally, things changed and I managed to join and was soon dedicated to helping the organization like Chuck had been. I stayed on the board for a number of years and loved the organization and the people. It was a lot of work, but mostly it never felt like work. We had fun and we helped many individuals. Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID) is a community center that serves adults (18+) who are experiencing physical, sensory, cognitive, developmental, and behavioral health disabilities and challenges. We offer services at our facility AND online on Zoom. All services at TACID are free of charge! My wife and I are both now committing to help TACID again.

There was a fundraising luncheon this week and I attended. My wife Peg couldn’t join me, but when I described what I saw she agreed to help as well. I sat at a table with two women who are looking at helping the organization as well. Executive Director, Nalani Linder opened the low-key meeting. We got to see one involved person who didn’t want to speak in person, but spoke on video. One little comment stuck with me. I shared it with my wife as well and saw the connection and the understanding. The man spoke of a disabled woman who learned to play guitar with her feet. That one little story helped him change and turn around his life. Each speaker I saw or heard, told stories that encouraged them to speak more and share more. The audience appreciated the stories from the participants and saw that they could help TACID and the people who come there. Also speaking was John Bailey, another friend from Tacoma Rotary.

It was fun sharing stories and also sitting next to Barbara, a long time supporter and worker at TACID. She had been a friend of my sister Marsha who had worked there as well. It’s nice having memories of friendship to guide everyone.

Comment: At TACID, we focus on wellness and recovery instead of disability or diagnosis. Each person is the director of their own wellness and recovery process. We help by offering free services and supportive community for exploration, fun and understanding. If you are interested in helping, consider just stopping by and seeing the organization in action.

Have questions? Please contact Executive Director, Nalani Linder at 253.565.9000 x112 or email nalani@tacid.org.