[nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
Carly Mihalakis
carlymih at comcast.net
Tue Apr 9 18:37:26 UTC 2013
Good morning, wmodnl,
For me, In addition to bienucleation resulting from retinal
blastoma, I acquired brain damage at age 19, and that, of course is
one of those hidden disabilities about which no one suspects from
looking at me, I'm just a lil' retarded so that I can't readily
figure things out, must hit me like a ton 'o bricks, before there is
understanding to be had. For me, a biproduct of brain damage has been
a crippling tactile appraxia (inabillity of limb to communicate with
brain thus rendering use of braille, a little bit of a pipe dream.
This has effected, embodying a "real" blind person. To be one of
those folks whom don't even read braille, when tactilly experienceing
what I read used to be such an integral layer of my learning. So 10
years later, some re-inventing is in order, to make something that
resembles progress in a forward-looking trajectory.
Anyone know what my point is?; 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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