Living Well Transitions
Boulder, CO

Living Well's Director Is Back To… Living Well!

Living Well Transitions (LWT), a therapeutic independent living program for young adults, is thrilled to announce the return of Executive Director, Bill Sell.

Sell began a medical leave of absence in October of 2006 after being diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Within a few days of the initial diagnosis, he was flown to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and began immediate and aggressive chemotherapy treatments. Staff, clients, and the community were stunned at the news.


While the initial prognosis was grim, the program staff at LWT was determined to continue to provide top quality care and service to clients. "It was a really difficult time for us" reflected Leslie Papa, Clinical Program Director for LWT. "But all staff really pulled together and developed a plan of action for communicating with clients, families, and educational consultants, and we simply asked for honest feedback in how everything was being handled. We wanted to ensure that our clients and families knew how deeply we cared about what we do."

After receiving the news about their Executive Director, staff came together to discuss how this would impact the company. As a small program only in its third year of operations, the question of whether to simply maintain status quo or to continue to grow was of the utmost importance. Staff decided unequivocally to build on the momentum. They worked tirelessly to not only maintain, but continue to market and develop the program despite the odds. It worked.

"The support we received, both from the Boulder community and within this industry, was absolutely overwhelming!" said Julie Randall, Director of Operations. "Our phone rang off the hook. So many people called to offer support both to our program and to the Sell family. And this support has never dwindled during this long year without Bill - we couldn't be more grateful." Since Sell's absence, the program has doubled in size, and is almost at full capacity.

Sell returned from Houston in August, and is continuing to receive chemotherapy on an outpatient basis in Boulder. His oncologists are extraordinarily optimistic about his recovery. "I am looking at being finished with all treatment by the end of the year" stated Sell. "This program was designed to address the issues of our clients in the most real world way possible, and staff was always 100% behind this vision. When I was diagnosed they were able to maintain that view with their skill and effort which was a powerful inspiration and genuine motivation for me to get well. I am very happy to return to the group to continue to build upon our treatment momentum and support this work in any way I can." Sell is enjoying his return to clinical work and building relationships with all the clients and families who have enrolled with LWT since his departure last fall.

Living Well Transitions is a therapeutic program featuring independent living for young adults. For more information, please contact Julie Randall at 303-245-1020 x202 or visit the website at www.livingwelltransitions.com.