DeSean Scales is a Steelers fan. When he started as a part-time worker at Berkshire County Arc, he didn’t expect to travel to Pittsburgh—as part of the job—to see his first Steelers home football game.
“This was an amazing experience for me,” DeSean said, “but seeing the huge grin on Gerry’s face all weekend was the best part for me. What made me the happiest was seeing him so happy. He was so focused on the game, yelling the whole time. I felt like I was sitting with the coach. Gerry made the game more fun for our entire section.”
DeSean works at a BCArc home on Sundays where Gerry lives, a Berkshire native, also a Steelers fan, and a brain injury survivor who moved from a nursing home to a BCArc program three years ago. “I’ve loved the Steelers for years, since Franco Harris,” said Gerry, referring to the 1970s star running back. “This was my first NFL game, and it was great. I loved watching them play.”
“We watch football together,” DeSean said, “and he started talking about going to a game in 2018, but it was too late in the season to make a plan. So a lot of people helped arrange everything for us for the following season.” Arrangements included flights, game tickets—less then 20 rows from the field–hotel, and travel plans once in the city.
DeSean recalls the relief of arriving at their hotel on the first night. “It was a long day of travel, and I felt real good when we reached our room, and we could both relax.” That night at their restaurant, they looked at each other across the table and Gerry, “I can’t believe we’re really doing it.”
Gerry recalls the dinner well, “DeSean chowed down that night.”
“Gerry made the game more fun for our entire section,” DeSean said.
After dinner they shopped a little, and then went to the top of the Allegheny Observatory to take in the entire city landscape. “The man could not stop smiling the whole time,” DeSean said of Gerry.
DeSean called the weekend unforgettable and flawless, but he noted: “My biggest concern was Gerry’s safety. You worry about a medical mishap with anyone. But in this situation, I was responsible. I love Gerry and I didn’t want to see anything go wrong. But I knew if something did go wrong, it was on me to act quickly, and make the right moves. That’s always in the back of your head.”
They discussed all plans beforehand. “We made sure we were on the same page before we did anything,” DeSean said, from food choices to travel plans, which included public transportation to the game.
“On top of it all, it was a great game. They lost in overtime, 26-23, but if Gerry wasn’t yelling from the stands, they probably wouldn’t have gotten that far.”
It’s rare to find Gerry without his sportsfan gear, even around the house.
A Budding Friendship
When Gerry first joined the BCArc home, he was reserved, mostly keeping to himself. DeSean noticed that he liked football, and they were both Steelers fans.
“It takes time to build any relationship,” DeSean said, “so we took it slowly, watched a few games together, and talked about our favorite team. I’m a patient person—something I’ve learned to do while working at BCArc—and I was happy to go as slow as necessary. Every relationship is unique.”
DeSean, who works full time at Cintas, doesn’t see himself ever leaving BCArc. “I’ve been working at BCArc for five years. I have a lot of relationships with the individuals we serve, and with the staff. We work in the homes where people live. So it’s like family. I wouldn’t know how to give that up. Also, working here, you are constantly reminded about the fortunes of your own life, you take nothing for granted. Working here keeps me in touch with that feeling. I love this environment.”
