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

Tue Apr 9 18:15:22 UTC 2013

Hi Sam!

Welcome to the list!

I am cindy, the secretary of NABS, and I also have a degree in
psychology. I have switched to human computer interaction, but I still
use psychology every day.

My local chapter of the NFB that I went to in my home town of
Asheville, NC met at a similar center however it is pan disability. We
have several active members of that chapter who live and thrive in
that environment. My only comment is at this facility, tenets lose all
but $60 of their SSI or SSDI. The center is not on any public transit
routes either. So I feel like although many of our chapter members
have ambitions to find employment, that tiny amount of spending money
they get combined with the lack of public transportation really makes
their job hunt almost impossible. They can't afford to update their
wardrobe for interviews or obtain the latest technology or go to
networking events among other important job-seeking strategies.

But I know that Chicago has awesome transportation! If you are
interested in connecting with the NFB on more of a personal level,
there are local chapters all over the country. I, and many of us on
this list, know the president of the NFB of Illinois personally, and I
would be happy to connect you with her if you would like to learn
about Illinois's local chapters and student division if that would be
an interest of yours. They have their state convention in October, and
that would be an excellent way to meet all kinds of blind people doing
all kinds of wonderful things professionally and in their local
communities.

I am glad that you have found something that works for you! It sounds
like you really respect others and that you recognize the vibrance and
diversity that exists within Friedman Place itself. So good luck in
taking those skills and experiences of working with and befriending
those people into your future psychology career!

Also, I know that a couple of people have aluded to the NFB training
centers in this thread. It sounds like you have investigated them. But
I or any other training center graduate would be happy to share our
personal experiences if you decide that you are interested in learning
more.

Cindy

On 4/9/13, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
> Sam, I was just wondering if you are newly blind or congenital or somewhere
> in between? I have been elgally blind sicne birth and San Diego City School
> District offered summer school called daily living skills for blind and
> visually impaired. I started going when I was in first grade. My regular
> school year was mainstream. Anyway, the program taught cooking we each went
> to the store, bought the items needed and then cooked whatever recipe it
> was that week. We were also taught housekeeping, personal grooming, and a
> variety of other things to be independent. Some children needed to be
> taught more than others based on how independent they were at home and how
> their parents encouraged independence.  We also went on numerous field
> trips to be exposed to all kinds of things. We even flew to Los Angeles and
> took the train home to experience both kinds of travel. There were addition
> things like sewing...
>
> Many of the children who had never been allowed to cook or anything at home
> became extremely proficient in food preparation and cooking.
>
> this was back in the 1970s I am not sure what is offered now if anything.
>
> Suzanne
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 9, 2013 at 6:03 AM, Sam Nelson <samnelson1 at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>>  Hi Gloria,
>>  I agree thank you The place in Maine does sound good. Too bad it's full!
>> Maybe one day another will be built, or there will be openings.
>>  Sam
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gloria G
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:47 AM
>> To: 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
>>
>> Please remember that each of us have different needs and perspectives.
>> What
>> works for one does not always work for another. In saying this, I think
>> respect should be given to those who's views may be different from yours,
>> and no one should force their beliefs on another person.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Joshua Lester" <JLester8462 at pccua.edu>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:39 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman
>> Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
>>
>>
>> > I'd like the ones in Maine better, because they give you the option to
>> > cook for yourself, or eat in the dining room.
>> > They have more NFB-centered views!
>> > Blessings, Joshua
>> > ________________________________________
>> > From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Hope Paulos
>> > [hope.paulos at gmail.com]
>> > Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:19 AM
>> > To: 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
>> >
>> > Hello Sam! I just watch one of your videos. I'm from Maine, Mount
>> > Desert Island to be exact, and I know that there is a similar facility
>> > called iris Park Apartments in Portland Maine. This is a subsidize
>> > housing for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Assistance
>> > is given with shopping, nursing care, if need be orientation and
>> > mobility services, and people can eat either in the dining room or in
>> > their own apartments. A full kitchen is offered in each apartment.
>> > Vision rehabilitation services are also provided if need be. I'm
>> > quite surprised that nobody from Maine mentioned this to you.
>> > Sincerely,
>> > Hope Paulos
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> >
>> > On Apr 9, 2013, at 7:50 AM, "Sam Nelson" <samnelson1 at verizon.net>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi Mark and everyone,
>> >> Thank you for sending this. Yes I am aware of the training centers
>> >> that Joshua and others (when I sent info on this to a different list
>> >> of blind
>> >> students) told me about. It's wonderful that so many of you have
>> >> found them to be so helpful  and it's worked for you. I have looked
>> >> at their websites and  read about the NFB philosophy and at this
>> >> moment, it's just not for me.
>> >>
>> >> I do appreciate your thoughts Joshua! I want to be clear  that to my
>> >> knowledge neither the staff here nor anyone else sees this as a
>> >> "charity case," kind of thing. For many that live here, there is a
>> >> real sense of family, and we give back in our own way to the
>> >> community as much as we get from it,  with our own  unique skills
>> >> talents and personalitys.
>> >> Yes, several of the residents here do have other disabilities in
>> >> addition to being blind, but some don't. And honestly, I don't see
>> >> how that really matters. For example, a very good friend of mine,
>> >> moved here in I believe November. He is visually impaired, and has
>> >> CP. But no one really  dwells on that. He's  amazing at  computers,
>> >> extremely intelligent and with a great sense of humor, and very
>> >> motivated and incouraging people to advocate with and for others with
>> >> disabilities. That's what sticks in my mind, about him not that he
>> >> has CP in addition to being blind. (though I do sometimes tease him
>> >> that he should get one of those service monkeys LOL!) Thanks again
>> >> Mark for your kind words. And everyone for your perspective.
>> >> I
>> >> hope to get to know you all better.
>> >> Sam (short for Samantha, that's  ok (smile))
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark J.
>> >> Cadigan
>> >> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:09 AM
>> >> To: 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
>> >>
>> >> 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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>> >>> m
>> >>
>> >>
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>> >>
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-- 
Cindy Bennett
Secretary: National Association of Blind Students
Legislative Coordinator: National Federation of the Blind of Washington

B.A. Psychology, UNC Wilmington
clb5590 at gmail.com