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Page 1 of 2 Known for its great seafood, Boston is also home to the SS Constitution, the Freedom Trail, historic North End, and the Mapparium. The Charles River meanders through the city encouraging play, watersports, reminiscing, and contemplation.
Beantown is a city for tourists, travelers, families, and singles alike. It’s also famous for world-class educational institutions that encourage intellectual growth and the exploration of new ideas. I visited the architectural firm Adaptive Environments and met with Valerie Fletcher, the executive director. The company’s mission is to create “human-centered design” for people of all ages.
Unlike many other design firms, they focus on the user. From housing and living spaces, to furniture and fixtures and adapted equipment, their designs are to be used efficiently and comfortably with “everyone in mind.” Their concepts give people with disabilities more autonomy and opportunity. Food gives the body endurance and power. Education and experience strengthen our mind and intellect to create new ideas and growth. Caring for another person gives you the chance to understand someone else on a deep level, to be exposed to other cultures, and to become sensitive to the needs of others. When we reach out and share our knowledge, expertise, and special skills, we grow as individuals. We feel nourished. Nothing makes us stronger than to help another person. Adaptive Environments is helping us all better understand the needs of the elderly who have some sort of disability. I applaud them for their hard work and determination to make the world a better place.
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