Hearing Beyond Sound: Glorita’s Story
Hearing Beyond Sound: Glorita’s Story"I never see disability as a difference—it’s just part of life."
That perspective shapes everything—how Glorita sees the world, how she connects with others, and how she pursues her calling at Sunshine Communities.
Growing up in Fort Wayne, she lived in a home where inclusion wasn’t an idea—it was simply life. Her sister’s best friend had cerebral palsy, but no one treated her differently. They laughed, got into trouble together, and navigated childhood side by side. Disability never divided them; it was just another part of their world.
That mindset guides Glorita to this day. When she moved to the area, she discovered Sunshine through a job posting on Indeed. After working with Easter Seals and in similar roles, she knew she had the heart for the job. The moment she toured Sunshine, something clicked—she felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t experienced before.
Glorita shares, “People don’t do this for the money. They do it because they want to change lives.” And that’s exactly what she does every day. Because of Glorita and her unique perspective, people are learning and practicing valuable job skills with kindness and support—skills that will help them gain and maintain integrated community employment.
The First Sound
Glorita’s story is one of resilience. Born deaf, she didn’t receive her first hearing aids until her early 30s.
“I never heard a telephone ring. I never heard water dripping. I could feel it, smell chlorine, but never actually hear it.”Life before hearing aids meant pulling the TV close to catch any sound and relying on her son as her ears. He listened for doorbells, alarms, and anything important. Through him, she experienced a world she couldn’t hear.
Glorita explains, “My family wanted to celebrate with me in a way that felt special—so, of course, that meant new shoes.”
To mark the occasion, she headed to the mall with her family. Shoes were her favorite indulgence, and they treated her to a new pair. She wandered through the aisles, scanning and trying different styles, searching for the perfect fit.
In the middle of her search, a sharp, unfamiliar sound filled her ears. It was loud, constant—something she had never noticed before. Instinctively, she stopped in her tracks, scanning her surroundings.
Then, it hit her—it was the sound of a water fountain. “I was like, ‘What in the world is that?’” she said, turning to her family, confused.
Hearing a fountain in the middle of a mall was reasonable, expected—not shocking—but for her, it was something entirely new.
That experience sharpened her ability to connect with the people she supports. She understands the power of nonverbal communication—how to read someone’s expressions, movements, and energy.
At Sunshine, she builds deep connections with the people she supports. Kim brightens her day. Pernell responds to her voice with a sweetness that always makes her smile. She meets each person where they are, communicating in ways that make them feel seen and understood.
Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
Outside of work, Glorita’s passions run deep—she loves live music (especially jazz) and reading. She has three loyal dogs and a serious love for shoes. But the title she cherishes most?
Grandmother.
“There’s nothing like being a grandparent,” she says, beaming with pride over her four grandkids.
The Purpose That Keeps Her Here
During COVID, when so many reevaluated their paths, Glorita made her decision clear.
“I realized—I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Sunshine isn’t just a job. It’s where she makes an impact every day, where she has found her niche, and where she has a family.
Glorita found her home at Sunshine Communities—and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.