Listen to this blog post:
“How are you?”
These were the first words Natalie said after her brain surgery when her brother, Rich, came to visit her. They were both small kids at the time. Almost 50 years after this experience, Rich gets emotional when memories strike him. They’ve always had a strong bond—always caring for one another, going through tough times and good times together. Rich was always the one to protect her and make sure she was accepted, and Natalie was the caring and understanding one.
At the age of three, in the early ’80s, Natalie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. When she was nine, it returned. In 2025, she went through another surgery to remove a mass in her abdomen. She has been through numerous procedures that led to physical and cognitive issues—serious threats to her independence, something she has always fiercely protected. All the challenges only made her stronger.
Today, Natalie lives on her own in a nice, cozy apartment in Decatur. “It’s not easy to push a grocery cart and a walker at the same time, but I manage,” she jokes.
Her home is filled with memories capturing cultures she had the opportunity to explore as a little girl. Thanks to her dad’s job, the family had the chance to live in Canada — where she was born, Indonesia, and ultimately moved to the United States. Her fondest memories are from Indonesia, where she had the opportunity to volunteer in a local orphanage and teach English to children. To this day, she continues to give to her community. She volunteers with her church and helps at a home for seniors, sometimes two to three times a week. She’s always active, always busy.
“Natalie is an impressive person. Despite all odds, she is able to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle. She met all the challenges head-on and successfully overcame them. She’s a fighter—stubborn, knows what she wants, and does everything she can to maintain her independence,” Rich says.
As a kid, Rich often felt isolated. It was difficult for him to watch Natalie and his parents struggle. “I remember feeling bad for everybody involved, but it’s made me who I am today. I think of myself as a compassionate person and try to help others,” he recalls. He chose to look on the bright side and cherishes the good memories. He says that his experiences taught him at a very young age that the word strong is not one-dimensional.
Natalie and Rich were raised by dedicated, resilient parents. Both siblings acknowledge that their parents’ support played a crucial role in their lives, especially in helping Natalie gain access to resources that promoted her independence.
This is how, about five years ago, Richard, Natalie’s dad, discovered Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI). BDI helped Natalie develop a plan for her future based entirely on her needs and the way she wants to live, always putting her voice first.
“[BDI is] the most helpful and caring organization. They deeply care for their clients… They took interest in Natalie’s background… We are very thankful for the help that was always there. When we had a question or needed information, it was available, which really meant a lot,” says Richard, Natalie’s father.
He says that Natalie’s drive and her continued focus on strengthening her independence were his strongest motivators through the years. “She is strong-willed, and what she does is working for her. She should be proud of that—as we are proud of her.”
In addition to developing a plan for her future, BDI helped Natalie with job and career skills. After completing the program, offered by the organization, she was able to secure a job at Chick-fil-A. She worked in three restaurants, where she was an integral part of building the teams. Additionally, BDI’s Benefits Navigation team helped Natalie secure vital benefits, like the Elderly and Disabled Waiver, to ensure she has the resources to continue living independently.
“These services through BDI have been invaluable,” Rich says. And he has a reminder for all the siblings out there who care for their sisters and brothers: “Balance is key,” he says, and encourages everyone to acknowledge those around them, maintain relationships, avoid guilt, and simply live the life they want to have.
