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

wmodnl wmodnl wmodnl at hotmail.com
Wed Apr 10 17:25:57 UTC 2013 

Good afternoon,
I agree, all lists should should act as a resource as well as a safe place to openly discuss feelings, thoughts, and ideas.  In no way was I out to insult NABS, NFB as a whole.  I was just stating my personal feelings regarding attitudes I have seen across the organization over the years.  Have a good day.


Sent from my iPad

On Apr 9, 2013, at 9:39 AM, "Mary Fernandez" <trillian551 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear Sam and all,
> As moderator of the student list, I am simply writing to affirm some
> of the messages already sent by others. Remember that this list-serv
> is for sharing resources, and it is meant to be a safe, welcoming
> place for us to talk about issues that directly impact blind students
> and young adults. That includes technology, school, socializing, and
> yes housing among much much more. So please, keep and open mind when
> others share with us their experiences and their resources.
> Thank you Sam for the information.
> Thanks.
> Mary Fernandez
> 
> On 4/9/13, Gloria G <gloria.graves at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
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>>>>> m
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Mary Fernandez
> "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will
> forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them
> feel."
> —
> Maya Angelou
> 
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