[nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago

[Sam Nelson]

Hi Everyone, 

 First I apologize if some of you have read about this already from me, as
I've posted it to the   Massachusetts and IL  student's mailing lists. I
just really want to let everyone I can know about the wonderful place I call
home, in case othersare in  a similar situation to me and could see it as an
option for either short or long-term living. 

 I'm24 years old and totally blind. I'm originally from MA, and moved  this
past June to Friedman Place,  a residential community for blind  adults ages
22-elderly in Chicago. 

 Friedman Place is one of two supportive living communities in the country,
the other being Mary Bryant in Springfield. 

 Since moving to Friedman my life has dramatically changed in a positive
way.  Here everyone has their own apartment, yet there is staff available
24/7if needed. Laundry and housekeeping services are optional. There are
microwaves in our apartments, but beyond that we can't cook for ourselves as
we eat in the dining room. 

 Certified Nursing assistants help with daily things such as medication
reminders, doing our nails, going for walks, or just hanging out and talking
with us. There are a variety of activities provided including:    bingo,
other card games, a movement class, line dancing, a support group, e
exercise classes, and others. I feel as more younger people move to the
facility, the types of activitys will reflect that. 

 The nursing services are available daily, though not 24 hours. This is not
a nursing home, so people with severe medical issues probably wouldn't be a
good fit. I think the best fit for Friedman is someone who feels they want
or need to live in a community environment, with a caring group of peers,
and security and support from staff.  This could be someone who's
transitioning from a school   for the blind or really any school and trying
to figure out what they want to do after. It could be someone who just wants
to get out of their parent's house, for whatever reason doesn't have or want
to live with relatives   other  friends, or want a roommate. It could be
someone who has mild emotional/ cognitive challenges, and so  would would do
well in an   environment where there was independence but also a feeling of
support, and where they couldn't isolate as easily and fall through the
cracks in a way they could if living alone or just with a roommate.  Or,
someone  could want to move here purely for  security reasons, as many
low-income disability housing apartments are in really bad neighborhoods. 

Staff are very client centered, in that residents plan how they want their
lives to go. It's a great place to come and have a solid  homebase  to grow
from. There are many oppurtunities in the city for volunteer or payed work,
education, and socialization. Each resident is assigned a care advocate, who
they meet with regularly to discuss issues going on either at Friedman and
also talking about what they'd like to do out in the community. I feel the
social worker in particular, is a very caring, friendly person who's very
knowledgable about  resources in the community. 

 

I also want to be clear that this is not a foster care, group home, or
nursing  home situation. As long as residents  sign in and out, for  safety
reasons of course, they can come and go as they please. They can have guests
over til midnight without the guest having to get a background  check. If
they want guests to spend the night, all the person needs  to do is fill out
a quick background check form for  safety.  

I feel that with the mix of older and younger residents, it really is like a
family. I'm a sensitive person who in the past has isolated a lot. Here I
feel I have a purpose and have solid friendships for the first time in my
life. 

 There are only two other people in their 20s currently at Friedman, I'm
really hoping we can get  more.  The cost of living here is covered by
medicade, as well as a portion of one's social security check. 

 There's no requirement on how long you need to stay. Some people stay for
six  months, and  consider it a stepping stone to living  completely on
one's own. . Others have been here for years and consider it home. It's all
up to the person. 

 I just know that if I had known at 15 or 16 that there was a safe
supportive place I could go when I was 22, I would  have been way less
stressed about the future. 

  At the end of this  message I'll post the links to my videos to learn
more. 

 Lastly, in addition to letting others know of my positive experience here
at Friedman, my second mission is  to advocate for similar facilities to be
opened in other states. Doing the research  I have and hearing from many
people, it's obvious that the need  is there, particularly for those from 18
to 22, of which there seems to be very little services. I wish the age
requirement were  18, but right now it isn't.   (Don't give up if you're in
that age group and interested in Friedman!  Just be patient, and maybe soon
things will change for the better!) So * if any of you want to discuss this
other project I'd  really appreciate it. 

 Thanks for  reading, and I look forward to getting to know more of you. 

  

 Sam 

 Video links: 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG4SWYVxqA4 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQTBKEnPup8