Man Creates Heartwarming Tribute to Sister in Brenham

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has 13 State Supported Living Center locations across Texas. One of their centers recently made news on Click2Houston.com due to an incredible tribute one man is making in the name of his sister who spent 25 years living there.

Hazel Janet Lawson lived at the Brenham State Supported Living Center along with around 260 other people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Her brother, Larry Lawson, came to visit her regularly and really took note of how the center was run and what the residents liked to do, especially after his father told him he needed to keep closer care of his sister when Larry was in his 30s. It gave him a better perspective on life, and eventually lead to a major gift.

Larry donated $500,000 to the Brenham State Supported Living Center for phase one of the building of the Hazel Lawson Sports Complex, and the groundbreaking already took place! Since Hazel was an avid wheelchair racer with many medals in the Special Olympics, Larry wanted to keep her memory and love for sports alive.

Brad Benoit, director of Brenham’s State Support Living Center told Click2Houston, “The number one thing that our folks want to do is they want to be included in the same activities that you and I do.” Since this is only the beginning, this state living center should have many accessible facilities coming their way.