[nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
justin williams
justin.williams2 at gmail.com
Mon Apr 8 20:00:52 UTC 2013
Music therapy is incredible. You can do all kinds of neat things with music
to help people.
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaiti Shelton
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 3:54 PM
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
Unfortunately, a lot of people in the medical and human services fields
related to blindness and other related disabilities have a lot of catching
up to do. A lot of the thereauputic fields are starting to recognize each
other's value and work together, E.G. Music therapists work a lot with
speech, physical, recreational, and occupational therapists to accomplish a
common goal. A lot of the time this happens and accomplishes multiple goals
at once. For example, a music therapist may work with a physical therapist
to teach a stroke patient how to walk with a steady gate again by playing
music of a specific beat and working up the tempo till the person can walk
at or close to their pre-stroke pace. A lot of the time this not only
rehabilitates skills used for walking, but it also gives the brain a work
out in matching rhythm and can build confidence.
But, as far as specialists in the voc rehab, psychology, school, and medical
fields are concerned, a lot has to be learned. A person with blindness and
some other hidden disability, or any two disabilities coinciding together,
would probably benefit from a more comprehensive approach to taking care of
things that works specifically for their situation than seeing some person
who specializes in this and another person who specializes in that. In some
cases, such as if the person needs to learn braille, this may not be able to
be helped, but it would sure be nice if there were specialty people for this
sort of thing.
On 4/8/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Wel said.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carly
> Mihalakis
> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 2:37 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list; 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, 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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--
Kaiti
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