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

Tue Apr 9 12:44:08 UTC 2013

I like your message.  Mine is similar in nature.  I think it further drives home this point.  Have a good day.

Sent from my iPad

On Apr 9, 2013, at 7:10 AM, "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> 
> 
> I'm certain Sam knows about the wonderful training available at the three NFB training centers, however, that's not what he is trying to tell us. Sam is just telling us about a solution he has found that works for him. This solution is not for everyone, but according to Sam it's his best option at the moment. We don't know Sam's situation, and can't speak for him, so I'm just asking everybody to be supportive of Sam and welcome him to the list, instead of haranguing him for not being so called "independent enough."
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sam Nelson" <samnelson1 at verizon.net>
> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:43 AM
> Subject: [nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
> 
> 
>> 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
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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