Changing Lives at Becka’s House

Authors: Krystal Winget, Becka’s Aunt and Co-Founder of Becka’s House

Becka’s House is a neighborhood companion care home located in the DFW Metroplex that provides permanent supported housing for young women with multiple disabilities. Becka, a former graduate of the Experiences in Transition (EXIT) program at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), was the inspiration for establishing the home in June 2019.

In infancy, Becka was diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage resulting in porencephaly, an extremely rare neurological disorder of the central nervous system characterized by cysts or cavities within the cerebral hemisphere. Additionally, she was diagnosed with Optic Nerve Atrophy, leaving her legally blind, immune thrombocytopenia, and hemiparesis (cerebral palsy) which affected her leg and arm on her left side. She was later diagnosed with autism, speech impairment, auditory processing disorder, and she has a history of seizures. 

Because of her multiple disabilities and the success she had in the EXIT program, Becka’s family knew it was important for Becka to live in a safe, nurturing environment where she could be supported and continue to use the skills and routines that had been developed specifically for her at TSBVI. Along with her entire TSBVI support team, the family recognized the hard work Becka had done to achieve the skills that allowed her to be a valued classmate, dorm sister, student, and friend to others. Her family did not want Becka to lose the skills that she had worked so hard to achieve, as well as the sense of accomplishment she felt by achieving each of those tasks, with support. They knew that they brought her so much joy. Most importantly, they did not want Becka to lose her sense of belonging through fostering genuine friendships and finding compassionate caregivers and interveners.

Her family looked far and wide to find such an environment, but nothing existed. When Becka’s family came to that realization, they set out and created an environment where Becka could live her most meaningful, purpose-filled life.  

Becka’s House has been operating successfully for over 5 years. Becka is indeed living an abundant life because of her House Sisters and the team of caregivers and interveners lovingly known as “Team Becka.” Residents at Becka’s House are known as House Sisters. Naturally, each House Sister has their own divine story of how they found Becka’s House and soon thereafter became residents. 

At the time Becka’s House was being established, the family didn’t know who Becka’s caregivers/interveners or House Sisters would be, but they moved forward, trusting there was a higher plan for them all. Their faith paid off in the most amazing and surprising way! The family didn’t stop to think about how the lives of the caregivers/interveners would be touched and positively impacted forever, but they most certainly were. 

In September 2019, Sue, a family friend whose adult son, Steven M., was in remission from throat cancer, reached out to ask about the possibility of him working or volunteering at Becka’s House. Steven had many physical challenges from the radiation, chemotherapy, and removal of tumors in his throat, but the most devastating challenge for him was that his vocal cords were severely damaged, and the love he had for singing before his congregation was lost forever. Sue knew that Steven still had so much life to live and love to give. She recognized that he just needed to find a new purpose to help him overcome the emotional stress of losing his vocal cords and the consequences of cancer treatment. 

After Becka’s family met with Steven and received exceptional recommendations from his referrals, the family was convinced that divine intervention had brought him to Becka’s House to fill many needs. The family didn’t realize that one person could possibly possess all the talents to fill so many of the essential needs at Becka’s House like Steven could! His love for cooking healthy meals, plus using his creative skills for organizing daily art projects, planning special events, and baking treats brought a greater purpose to Becka and her House Sisters! Becka’s daily art projects were created for local nursing homes, and the sweet treats she helped make were delivered to the neighborhood fire station that was within walking distance of Becka’s House. Known as “Firehouse Friday,” this activity soon became an exciting routine Becka looked forward to each week!

Steven was a resilient two-time cancer survivor. After 11 years, he succumbed to the associated complications of the disease and passed away peacefully on September 30, 2020, surrounded by family at his home. Prior to his passing, Steven said, “The joy I got from singing was only minuscule to the joy I received working with Becka and being a member of the Becka’s House family!” 

Steven’s life was just one of many that have been impacted at Becka’s House. Becka’s family’s faith is grounded in the belief that this kind of influence can only be orchestrated by God’s hands. They also firmly believe in the power of unconditional love as Becka loves and accepts all who enter her home. She does not judge people or have any hatred or prejudices towards anyone. She is incapable of such notions or feelings. Only love, acceptance, and peace can be found at Becka’s House! The family shared that it is an honor to witness the lives that are so greatly enriched for those who provide support to Becka.

Currently, Team Becka consists of nine (9) caregivers and interveners who provide their support and absorb Becka’s light and love. Each of them has their own testimony on how their life has been touched by Becka’s House! Stay tuned for more stories from them as well as from Becka’s House Sisters in upcoming publications.

Team Becka with Becka in January 2025