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

Wed Apr 10 16:55:29 UTC 2013

I am happy that you are in a safe happy home.  But you should always be independent.

Sent from my iPod

On Apr 10, 2013, at 12:42 PM, Mauricio Almeida <mauriciopmalmeida at gmail.com> wrote:

> what happens is that some blind people tend on having to have a sense of super independence in order to accept themselves, and so any solution which contradicts this sense of over acceptance is denied.
> I'm glad that it isn't the case within the federation, because i've seen way too many of this kind abroad.
> On Apr 9, 2013, at 6:57 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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