Cyprian Center, Inc. was founded in 1975 by Reverend Nicholas Hood, Sr. in an attempt to find help for his developmentally-disabled daughter, Sarah Cyprian Hood (1966-2000). approximately three precent of the population was developmentally-disabled. Additionally, most of these individuals were not receiving community services that would facilitate the attainment of their maximum potential. He identified their needs for residential care in a nurturing environment. and for daily training programs whereby their education could be continued beyond age 25, the age at which their education in the public schools was terminated.
Therefore, Rev. Hood established Cyprian Center, Inc., aided by a grant from the Kresge Foundation, which enabled him to build a contemporary facility to accommodate the first program, Cyprian Partial-Day Training.
For 32 years, Cyprian Center, Inc. developed programs for the developentally-disabled with the purpose of providing residential and respite care; supportive semi-independent and independent living: adult activity and partial day training. These programs were housed within the Medical Center neighborhood of Detroit in a campus-style setting. Each program occupied an attractive, modern-style building that was specifically constructed for the special needs of the clients and the goals of the program. Those facilities were: (1) Cyprian Partial-Day Traiining; (2) Cyprian Manor Group Home; (3) Cyprian House: and (4) Cyprian Respite. Each of these buildings was newly constructed and financed by Rev. Nicholas Hood, Sr.
Sarah on her Exerecise Machine made by her Dad
THE EXERCISE MACHINE is an invention made by Rev. Nicholas Hood, Sr., in an attempt to help his handicapped daughter, Sarah Cyprian, exercise by using her arms and legs.
The Exercise Machine was made by mounting a tricycle on a wood frame. Attaching a variable-speed motor to a pulley which was wrapped around the front wheel of the tricycle. Sarah's hands and feet were attached to the foot pedals and the hands by velcore tape.
When the motor was turned on, Sarah's feet and legs would move and she would be forced to exercise. The motor was veriable speed, so it could be slowed down or increased in speed.
Unfortunately, Sarah's seisures became greater, and the stroke medicines slowed her down to the point that even an exercise machine could not be used by her; but the effort to get her to function at a higher level was worth the effort.
