A Brief History of PADD
By: Ella F. Busby

As I reminisce about PADD and her history, I am reminded of the passage found in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.  It says that one planted, another watered, but God gives the growth.
 
One planted. PADD was planted because of the vision of Don and Betty Lou Barclay.  They wrote a letter to the Presbytery of New Harmony expressing their concerns for persons with special needs.  One concern was this: "what would happen to them when their caregivers are no longer able to care for them?"
 
The letter was given to the Ministry of Compassion Committee. A survey was taken at a presbytery meeting to discern the feelings of others within the churches regarding this issue.  This survey revealed two important facts:
 
1. There was much concern and compassion.
2. A large percent of the Presbyterians were caring for, or knew someone who was caring for, person(s) with special needs. 

]The presbytery caught hold of the vision of the Barclays and the concerns of other Presbyterians.  The Presbytery of New Harmony included this ministry as one of the projects within its capital funds campaign in the amount of $200,000.  The hope for a Presbyterian related home for adults with developmental disabilities was on the verge of becoming a reality.  The seed was planted. 

And another watered: The Ministry of Compassion Committee appointed a  sub-committee of the Mission Committee.  Under the leadership of this sub-committee, the name Presbyterian Agency for the Developmentally Disabled (PADD) was chosen.  The Presbytery approved PADD's by-laws and Board of Trustees.  The Presbytery of New Harmony made a bold and pioneering step in seeking to place a home for the disabled near our ministry to older adults-The Presbyterian home of Florence, South Carolina, in Florence. In the same spirit, Presbyterian Home of South Carolina has given the Presbytery of New Harmony land adjacent to the Florence campus for the establishment of our first PADD home. 

God who gives the growth: The vision of the Barclay's, the leadership of the Presbytery and Board, the faithfulness of the churches and individuals, all have a common purpose: to glorify God. Planning is currently well underway for the construction of the first residential unit on the Florence campus.