[nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
Sam Nelson
samnelson1 at verizon.net
Tue Apr 9 13:17:49 UTC 2013
Hi again, (If you write your name at the bottom of your next e-mail I'll
know how to spell it right)
I totally agree with all of this. Especially about hidden disabilities like
autism and mental illness. Sadly, even here at Friedman, that is one thing
that is poorly understood and sometimes handled, how to work with both the
needs around being blind and around other issues. I think more education
needs to happen in both areas, as in in places like this to have more
competency in helping those with say mental illness, and in the mental
health and other disabilities fields around blindness. Because it's hard for
the two to come together.
Unfortunately , I had to be my own advocate in finding mental healthcare
since moving to Chicago. Some places I went to or called about were
reluctant to take me because I'm blind, trying to send me to a blindness
organization because they saw on their website they provided counseling.
They didn't understand this was counseling mostly on dealing with vision
loss.
So for my particular situation, this is the perfect place for me.
I'm also originally from MA. I deal with anxiety too and choose to use The
Ride, and paratransit in Chicago as well. Though with a friend here who has
more sight than I do we do more walking than I've ever done to local places,
and he has taken me on the bus. I didn't really like it and certainly
wouldn't go alone. There are even areas of the transportation system,
particularly underground, that he wouldn't choose to take me on even with
him with me due to gangs and other scary things like that.
One thing I would love to see happen is the creation of supportive living
facilities for the blind and those with say, autism, mental illness or other
types of issues at the same time. It would be so great to have integrated
care for everything, and a community of peers and staff that was
compassionate and understanding towards one another on the variety of issues
people face. I think that's slowly happening at Friedman (maybe a little bit
because I can't keep my mouth shut about trying to advocate for the views of
those with mental illness LOL!), but I know things can get much better and I
feel will someday.
Again LM, thanks for your thoughtful reply!
Sam
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of wmodnl wmodnl
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:43 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman
Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
Good morning,
Can we agree that, some people who are blind have other disabilities.
Whether or not they reveal them is irrelevant. Sadly, this is one factor
that I have with this organization as a whole. Our philosophy does not
consider people with other disabilities, including those with "hidden
disabilities." This is my observation. I am not out to undermine the
positive work done for blind people; as, a whole, we need to understand that
no two people are the same, and no two people have the same life
experiences. Of course, we have great centers; but, for some people for
there personal choice, they are not a good fit. One size does not fit all;
nor, does one program or philosophy fit all people within a group.
For example, here in Boston, the transit system has a program where the
blind ride for free. Also, they have integrated a customer service system,
where you can get assistance to navigate from your incoming bus or subway to
your next transfer. I do not use this unless I feel a need to. For
example, yesterday was opening day at Fenway Park. I am sure, I would have
used the help navigating with a cane or dog through a crowd of thousands to
get from the subway to the bus just outside the park, to avoid encountering
problems. Two of my friends feel safer using the service when ever they
travel. This is due in part to anxiety issues, them being people who get
easily disorientated. Knowing this, i have a question for you.
Do I have a right to act like an authority figure telling them to do
something else; or, is it my duty as a blind person to undermine and
belittle them because they "do not meet a "special standard?"
As a whole, we as a people need to start thinking from a model approach of
the social model. We need to educate our culture to adapt, to make and
integrate a user-friendly environment on a cross-disability platform. This
is just my opinion, have a great day.
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 9, 2013, at 6:59 AM, "Joshua Lester" <JLester8462 at pccua.edu> wrote:
> Hi Sam!
> First of all, welcome to the list!
> I'm against these supportive living facilities, because it gives the
notion that blind people can't get employment, take care of themselves, cook
for themselves, etc.
> I'm not hear to be offensive to you, but I'd like to share with you the
fact, that there is a better life!
> Have you ever heard of the Louisiana Center for the Blind?
> They'll teach you the independence skills, so that you can take care of
yourself, and get a job!
> We aren't some charity ccase for the state!
> I'm praying that you can get in this training center.
> The only good a supportive living facility is only for those with other
disabilities.
> Thanks, Joshua
> ________________________________________
> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Sam Nelson
> [samnelson1 at verizon.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 5:43 AM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jlester8462%40pccu
> a.edu
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/wmodnl%40hotmail.c
> om
_______________________________________________
nabs-l mailing list
nabs-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/samnelson1%40verizon.net
More information about the NABS-L
mailing list