[nabs-l] Wanted to share my experience living at Friedman Place, a supportive living community for blind adults in Chicago
Sam Nelson
samnelson1 at verizon.net
Wed Apr 10 18:07:56 UTC 2013
Hi Mauricio,
>From reading about some of the views of people in the NFB, it does sound
like this happens at times. Like people feel they need to do absolutely
everything completely on their own and not ask for help at all.
As Robert pointed out last night, and I have been trying to say,
independence is different for different people. My version of independence
is just as valid, for me, as anyone else's. I'm not telling any of you who
are happy living alone and have a different perspective than I do to come
move here. So I wish people wouldn't keep continuing to say on the one hand
that they're happy I'm here, but on the other hand that I should really go
to a center that I've said several times I'm not interested in, and that my
life would be so much better if I lived on my own. You don't know the ins
and outs of my circumstances, and I don't feel like I need to tell you. But
to keep up trying to get me to do things your way, even if it's in a subtle
way, is just very overwhelming for me.
When I wrote this list I did so with the good intention of just giving
information about a place that has helped me and others so much. I know how
hard the transition to being a young adult can be and all the factors that
take considering. I just didn't want anyone to have to search as long and
hard as I did to find Friedman, if they were looking for a place like this.
I didn't think I'd get so much controversy in return, or be made to feel
like my life will only be "at it's potential," if I live completely on my
own as so many of you are. I appreciate this works for you, but don't
appreciate being subtly pressured into adopting this lifestyle for myself.
I think this conversation has run its course, and some of us are gonna
have to agree to disagree on some things. Like I said, in putting this
information out there I never thought this would happen.
I will say that if anyone is interested in learning more about Friedman for
either themselves or a friend or family member you're welcome to write me
off list.
Thanks so much.
Sam
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mauricio
Almeida
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 11:42 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
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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