Our Story
"With the right support even the impossible is possible"
LinGroup Inc. is a family owned and operated business founded by husband and wife, Linda and Joe Gryn. Linda and Joe’s life-long journey began in the hospital delivery room where upon delivery they found out that their son Mark had been unknowingly in distress for hours and as a result was in cardiac arrest. Just 15 hours after his birth Mark begin having seizures and remained in the ICU for 2 weeks. At the age of 6, he was diagnosed with a neurologically based learning disability. At the age of 14 when he was reevaluated, Linda and Joe were told that Mark would never be able to live on his own. That he would never be able to work competitively after high school and would require supervision and support to meet his every day needs. If Mark did not remain in his parents’ home, he would be a candidate for supervised apartment living or a group home residence.
Mark, Joe, Linda, Eric
Fortunately for Mark, his parents refused to accept the diagnosis as the life destined for Mark. Linda and Joe made it their life’s work to prepare Mark for his future. They enrolled him in Special Olympics, got him a private tutor, and made sure he was an active member in the community. They pushed Mark to be as self-sufficient as possible and taught him to do things like clean, prepare his meals, and manage his money. At the age of 19, Mark was able to move into his own apartment close to his family and started a part time job at Home Depot. Mark, who is now 27 and has been living independently for the past 8 years, while still maintaining his position at Home Depot.
Marks success motivated Linda and Joe to start LinGroup to help empower other adults the way they’ve helped Mark and provide other families with hope. They believe that despite what people may say or believe about individuals with intellectual disabilities that they like everyone else in the world are capable of great things. Mark is living proof that with the right support team even the impossible is possible. Mark is of course a member of LinGroup and receives daily support and assistance for things, but is able to do several things that doctors said he would never be able to do on his own. Although Marks future still presents many challenges we are certain that Mark will be able to do anything he wants. We have high expectations for Mark and no doubt that with LinGroup behind him he will surpass them all.
We hope that you will give us the chance to be the support team that you and your family need.