Her name is Eleanor Elkin, a resident of the Watermark Retirement Community at Logan Square in Center City. She's been an advocate for the developmentally challenged for more than six decades.
It all started, when Eleanor Elkin and her husband adopted a child in 1948.
"They called us one day and said, 'we have your baby!'" said Eleanor.
The little boy she named Richard, looked different, but initially, Eleanor didn't realize he was mentally challenged.
It wasn't until they adopted a daughter, Margo, that they recognized the full extent of Richard's disability.
A local doctor gave Eleanor the best advice.
"He said, 'you've got a nice normal retarded kid; enjoy him,'" explained Eleanor.
And she did! And Richard lived a full and active life!
And along the way, Eleanor set her sights on changing the misconceptions about children like her son.
"You treat them like an individual, not like somebody that's different," Eleanor said.
Eleanor has long volunteered at the Cultural Arts Center at the Philadelphia Developmental and Disabilities Corporation where her son attended workshops.
She has investigated the abuse at Pennhurst State Hospital, and testified before Congress, setting in motion, life-improving changes for these men and women.
But, she says, more needs to be done.
"There's still difficulty for them getting work," said Eleanor. "We have a huge waiting list for students that have gotten out of school, special needs students, and no place to go."
Eleanor is 95 years old, and she hasn't stopped.
When asked what keeps her going? Eleanor said, "Because I'm interested. If someone asks me to do something, and I can do it, I do it."
Sadly, Richard died two years ago at the age of 60, but his mother's work continues.
