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

Wed Apr 10 02:29:31 UTC 2013

I'm wondering why the requirement is that you have to be at least 22?
That seems like a rather odd designation. Why not 18 or 21? I'm just
curious. I have to say this is a very interesting thread.

On 4/9/13, Sam Nelson <samnelson1 at verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi RJ,
>  Thanks for your question. Supportive living to me is just a term. It means
> that you have your own apartment and the  freedom to do what you want and
> make your own decisions, yet there is support, as in  activities provided,
> medical help, companionship, a sense of security, ETC when you need it.
> There's probably an official   definition, but for now that's the best
> explanation I can give. I consider it a  balance between being totally on
> one's own and being say in a nursing home or something. As I said before,
> some people live in this situation temporarily, others choose to call it
> home. It's whatever works.
>  Before I answer your question I'll say again that I don't feel anyone's
> secondary disability is  such an issue. Yes many residents do have a
> secondary disability, whether that's being in a  wheelchair, chronic
> physical health issues, CP, Autism, or other  mental illness. BBut some
> don't have a secondary disability, and they still are qualified to come
> live
> here. To live  here you just have to be  22 or over and blind or visually
> impaired. You  don't need to have another disability to be here, though
> many
> do.
>  And yes, I do struggle with some mental health issues. And the support I
> get here helps a lot with those.
> Thanks again for your question. If there's anything else you want to know,
> feel free to ask.
>  Sam
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of RJ Sandefur
> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:07 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
>
> When you say supported living could you please xplaine Sam? Do you have a
> secondary disability? RJ
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sam Nelson" <samnelson1 at verizon.net>
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman
> Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
>
>
>> Hi Suzanne,
>>  I've been blind since birth. I was born with ROP.
>> That program you went to sounds like it was good for you.
>> I'm glad.
>> Sam
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne
>> Germano
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 10:23 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
>>
>> 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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