Welcome Back ,
I've often highlighted the positives of living independently on this blog.. Not only because it teaches you to be grateful for your abilities, but because it teaches one to be resourceful. This is especially helpful when adapting your surroundings (i.e. home, work) because not all places are disability friendly.
Besides that, there are other incentives to living on your own as well. It can develop character and perseverance in no other way situations can.
But don't take my word for it. Join Jennifer as she encounters the "Adventures Of Living Independently"
http://jenslifewithcp.blogspot.com/2010/06/adventures-of-living-independently.html
Showing posts with label Independent living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Independent living. Show all posts
Living Independently
Hello everyone,
I know I haven't done the best job at keeping up with this blog lately. Truth is, I haven't felt much like writing. Since the move, my mind has become easily distracted and focused on one topic again. How am I going to get myself living independently to the standards I was in Michigan? Turns out, the answer is way more complicated than I ever imagined and my patience seems to be wearing thin as I go through the necessary process I need to receive services from Virginia.
If you are at all familiar with my blog, the idea of independent living is a common theme. The help I received from state funds allowed me to live in dorms with the help of personal assistants etc.. But for a more comprehensive look at living independently, go to: http://lifefaithdisability.com/2008/08/08/independent-living-101/
Encouragement: The Journey to A Life of Gannet's Own
Okay,
So not much is happening in my life right now. I am gearing up to start my new job this week,; although realistically, I still have a lot to do before I dive right into researching. Still, I'm getting excited. At least I will have something new to occupy my time, rather than always focusing on the entertainment frenzy. You probably know what I'm talking about-- reality and talk shows etc. Except for this blog, I can't help but feel I'm not doing much that is really productive lately. But then again, there's not much to do but wait. I don't like waiting though, considering all of my friends have had such an easy time a life of their own. I am ready to start my own ; plus I think it is just about time! Along with the job, I am also looking at some different housing opportunities. Although a lot of that depends on how the job goes and where I decide to permanently live in the near future, seeing as though my parents are thinking of moving back to Maryland sometime soon. So I really don't know.
Anyway, onto today's post.
Let me begin by posing a question.. a question quite appropriate considering the circumstances.. Chuckle
When is the appropriate time to move out and began a life of your own?
Gannet's mom is also trying to find the answers to those questions and more in the PBS documentary, "The Key of G."
This documentary chronicles the life of 22-year-old Gannet as he moves out on his own with the help of four personal assistants. This is all part of the state-funded project in a effort to keep disabled people from being institutionalized. People like Gannet. Born developmentally disabled, he is also partially blind. He is able to communicate using a communication book with a number of common phrases and words . Despite all this, Amy is determined to give her son the best normal life she can.
"I'm really looking forward to having a life of my own and I think Gannet is a ready to have a life of his own. He needs peers, he needs energy; he's got this great group of caregivers, you know, artist and musician, and it's kind of their influence that leads me to believe that it is time for him to move out," said Amy.
That type of friendship is hard to find for most people. However, the group sees Gannet as more than just a client, but a unique individual.
"One of the best parts of the job is watching people like start understanding that he is a person. A full person," said Donal.
Gannet spends the majority of his time playing the piano. He also enjoys playing with his toy cars as well as admiring real cars on the streets of San Francisco.
In the long run, what does everyone gain from this experience?
"Colten and I were talking about what a good house this is yesterday.. this strange state-funded little thing we have here.. we're all here because we care about him.".
-- -- --
Citation for TV Program: "The Key of G" PBS channel 6 WTVS Detroit, at 4: 30 am, October 09, 2007. (Original air date: January 12, 2005)
So not much is happening in my life right now. I am gearing up to start my new job this week,; although realistically, I still have a lot to do before I dive right into researching. Still, I'm getting excited. At least I will have something new to occupy my time, rather than always focusing on the entertainment frenzy. You probably know what I'm talking about-- reality and talk shows etc. Except for this blog, I can't help but feel I'm not doing much that is really productive lately. But then again, there's not much to do but wait. I don't like waiting though, considering all of my friends have had such an easy time a life of their own. I am ready to start my own ; plus I think it is just about time! Along with the job, I am also looking at some different housing opportunities. Although a lot of that depends on how the job goes and where I decide to permanently live in the near future, seeing as though my parents are thinking of moving back to Maryland sometime soon. So I really don't know.
Anyway, onto today's post.
Let me begin by posing a question.. a question quite appropriate considering the circumstances.. Chuckle
When is the appropriate time to move out and began a life of your own?
Gannet's mom is also trying to find the answers to those questions and more in the PBS documentary, "The Key of G."
This documentary chronicles the life of 22-year-old Gannet as he moves out on his own with the help of four personal assistants. This is all part of the state-funded project in a effort to keep disabled people from being institutionalized. People like Gannet. Born developmentally disabled, he is also partially blind. He is able to communicate using a communication book with a number of common phrases and words . Despite all this, Amy is determined to give her son the best normal life she can.
"I'm really looking forward to having a life of my own and I think Gannet is a ready to have a life of his own. He needs peers, he needs energy; he's got this great group of caregivers, you know, artist and musician, and it's kind of their influence that leads me to believe that it is time for him to move out," said Amy.
That type of friendship is hard to find for most people. However, the group sees Gannet as more than just a client, but a unique individual.
"One of the best parts of the job is watching people like start understanding that he is a person. A full person," said Donal.
Gannet spends the majority of his time playing the piano. He also enjoys playing with his toy cars as well as admiring real cars on the streets of San Francisco.
In the long run, what does everyone gain from this experience?
"Colten and I were talking about what a good house this is yesterday.. this strange state-funded little thing we have here.. we're all here because we care about him.".
-- -- --
Citation for TV Program: "The Key of G" PBS channel 6 WTVS Detroit, at 4: 30 am, October 09, 2007. (Original air date: January 12, 2005)
Living Independently: a Dream Come True
Okay,
Since I'm in the process of looking towards the future and God's plans for me, I just thought it would be fun to look at other people that are doing the same. I just happened to come upon this article while apartment searching. It's going okay. My friends and I are still overcoming some of own hurdles, such as financial burdens and employment difficulties. Anyway, on to the article
summary..
For most people, owning a home is a dream come true.
But for 24-year-old Kim Munro, a bedroom will do just fine.
This bedroom is part of a 10 bedroom unit named "The Allison House" project. Supported by Lutheran Social Services, this new project allows people with disabilities to live independently without the fear often associated with being on your own. The project is made possible by a grant from HUD as well as several other organizations. The house includes other amenities as a fully accessible kitchens, storage units, dining units as well as a community laundry room. Dedicated last Thursday, the faculty took time to remember the young woman for which the project was named.
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Allison Kamen also had dreams of living independently. Unfortunately, she died in 1997 before those dreams could be realized.
For further information, contact Christine Perry at 323-4222
----
Bleck, Christie. "Allison House Apartments enable independent living. "(Lansing State Journal) lsj.com 9 March 2007. 21 March 2007
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070309/NEWS01/703090324/1182/NEWS01
Since I'm in the process of looking towards the future and God's plans for me, I just thought it would be fun to look at other people that are doing the same. I just happened to come upon this article while apartment searching. It's going okay. My friends and I are still overcoming some of own hurdles, such as financial burdens and employment difficulties. Anyway, on to the article
summary..
For most people, owning a home is a dream come true.
But for 24-year-old Kim Munro, a bedroom will do just fine.
This bedroom is part of a 10 bedroom unit named "The Allison House" project. Supported by Lutheran Social Services, this new project allows people with disabilities to live independently without the fear often associated with being on your own. The project is made possible by a grant from HUD as well as several other organizations. The house includes other amenities as a fully accessible kitchens, storage units, dining units as well as a community laundry room. Dedicated last Thursday, the faculty took time to remember the young woman for which the project was named.
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Allison Kamen also had dreams of living independently. Unfortunately, she died in 1997 before those dreams could be realized.
For further information, contact Christine Perry at 323-4222
----
Bleck, Christie. "Allison House Apartments enable independent living. "(Lansing State Journal) lsj.com 9 March 2007. 21 March 2007
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070309/NEWS01/703090324/1182/NEWS01
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