Consumer Success Stories
ROBIN’S STORY
JEAN’S STORY
MANNY’S STORY
KAREN’S STORY
ROBIN’S STORY
Robin is the mother of three children. Her disability
is a spinal cord injury as the result of a gunshot wound.
When asked
what independent living means to her, Robin said, “I want control
over my own life. After my injury, I was in a nursing home for
three years. I decided I wasn’t institution material.”
Her biggest
fear about living independently prior to leaving the nursing home
was that she would be left alone without needed Attendant Care
Services. Gradually, after having lived in the community, she learned
that she could manage alone for periods of time. In fact, Robin’s
biggest surprise about living independently was that managing her
Attendant Care Services was easier than she thought it would be.
Robin
received Attendant Care Services from Liberty Resources, as well
as: skills training, equipment evaluation, housing information,
and support in applying for a Section 8 certificate.
Robin notes
that there is one thing that she wishes the rest of the community
would understand about people with disabilities. “We are people;
we deserve the same rights. We should not be looked down upon.”
Robin
feels that there are still some big issues still facing the disability
community. Among them are housing (particularly accessible housing
for families with children) and transportation. She strongly believes
that Liberty Resources must continue to be a presence in nursing
homes, providing people with information about their Independent
Living options.
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JEAN’S STORY
Jean is a former resident of Pennhurst, who has also
lived in several Community Living Arrangements (CLAs).
What made
her choose to live independently? “I can do what I want. I answer
to no one but me. I also felt that I was ready to have more responsibility.”
Her biggest concern about living independently was that service
providers would intrude and start making her decisions for her.
“I found out that I could handle it; keep my own apartment, do
my own finances, everything. Everything I’ve wanted, I’ve done.”
Jean
works as a Community Advocate at Liberty Resources. She visits
persons living in nursing homes. Jean has also been involved in
Liberty Resources’ other advocacy efforts. Most recently, she prepared
testimony against an effort aimed at keeping institutions for persons
with mental disabilities open. Jean feels strongly that all institutions
should be closed. She dreams one day of publishing a book about
her experiences.
Jean feels that the most critical issues facing
the disability community are housing and health care. “Persons
with disabilities should have more say. We are not outsiders.”
Jean
feels that Liberty Resources’ role in the community is most critical
when a person first decides to move from an institution. “People
need services to get on track, where they need to be.”
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MANNY’S STORY
Manny was born with Spina Bifida. As a young adult,
he spent a great deal of time in the hospital. Eventually, his
family stopped coming to visit, and he realized he was on his own.
Manny
likes living independently because “I choose what I eat. I make
my own decisions, my schedule. I wanted to do it a long time ago,
but I finally started living independently 14 years ago.”
Manny’s
biggest concerns about living independently were cooking and the
availability of Attendant Care Services. Manny says, “ I was surprised
I could do it, that I could pay my bills and be independent.”
Liberty
Resources provides Manny with Attendant Care Services. He also
attended skills training and had some assistance with applying
for housing. “Liberty Resources taught me a lot.”
Manny is an advocate
who participates in Americans with Disabilities for Attendant Programs
Today (ADAPT). He believes accessible transportation is the biggest
issue still facing the community.
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KAREN’S STORY
Karen, who has Cerebral Palsy, is married and has
three children. She has been living on her own since 1991.
Liberty
Resources assisted Karen with her transition from a nursing home,
where she lived for five years. Prior to living in the nursing
home, Karen lived at school. She feels that this experience prepared
her for living independently. Since her transition from the nursing
home, Karen deals with “general, everyday concerns”. Finances are
always a concern.
Karen received transitioning services from Liberty
Resources, and is currently receiving Attendant Care Services.
She has a message for others considering the transition from a
nursing home: “Don’t be scared to do it. Liberty Resources’ role
is to educate and assist people who know nothing about independent
living.”
Karen is an activist.
She is a member of ADAPT and coordinates Consumer Connection at
Liberty Resources. She is currently most concerned about the passage
of the Community Choice Act.
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