Dream

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:59:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

kidsnpets@... writes:

Last night I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was told (not sure by whom)

that my dd was misdiagnosed and she does NOT have ocd, anxiety, or sensory.

I don't recall if I was told she had some other issue, though. I just

remember feeling a great sense of relief. It felt so real. Anyone else ever

have a dream like that?

Sharon....

No, never have. But it made me wonder about something else. I've read that

people with problems like, not being able to walk, or who have had a limb

amputated, etc., that when they dream, they're not like that. Makes me wonder

if kids with OCD have it in their dreams or not???????

LT

[Guest guest]

I know my dd has had OCD dreams. Her therapist has said it is a safe way for

her to work through some of her fears.

Sharon

Re: Dream

In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:59:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

kidsnpets@... writes:

Last night I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was told (not sure by whom)

that my dd was misdiagnosed and she does NOT have ocd, anxiety, or sensory.

I don't recall if I was told she had some other issue, though. I just

remember feeling a great sense of relief. It felt so real. Anyone else ever

have a dream like that?

Sharon....

No, never have. But it made me wonder about something else. I've read that

people with problems like, not being able to walk, or who have had a limb

amputated, etc., that when they dream, they're not like that. Makes me wonder

if kids with OCD have it in their dreams or not???????

LT

[Guest guest]

can't wait to ask dd if she has it or not in dreams - so interesting -

I've never paid attention to if she does in mine??? - i'll let you know

eileen

Quoting kidsnpets <kidsnpets@...>:

> I know my dd has had OCD dreams. Her therapist has said it is a

> safe way for her to work through some of her fears.

> Sharon

> Re: Dream

>

>

>

> In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:59:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> kidsnpets@... writes:

>

> Last night I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was told (not sure by whom)

> that my dd was misdiagnosed and she does NOT have ocd, anxiety, or sensory.

> I don't recall if I was told she had some other issue, though. I just

> remember feeling a great sense of relief. It felt so real. Anyone else ever

> have a dream like that?

>

> Sharon....

>

> No, never have. But it made me wonder about something else. I've read that

> people with problems like, not being able to walk, or who have had a limb

> amputated, etc., that when they dream, they're not like that.

> Makes me wonder

> if kids with OCD have it in their dreams or not???????

> LT

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know if I have had a dream exactly like that but similar to that. I

think sometime when something is really bothering us, in our dreams, our brain

tries to fix the problem. It is like having a relief from the problem for a

little while. Maybe God was in the dream because you know that he is the only

one who can help fix or make your child better. Who knows... maybe it

could be a message from God. Telling you everything is going to be alright.

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Today she told me of another OCD thing she used to do but doesnt do anymore.

She said if she saw something that had swirls, she would have to move her head

or eyes to follow them and keep doing it until she got it " just right " . She is

5 and has counted things on and off. Being 5, she loves the number 5. When she

counts things now, if her " favorite " thing doesnt end up being the 5th thing,

she gets frustrated and has to recount until it lands on 5. <sigh>

She hasnt been sleeping very well, waking up during the night or very early in

the am. That hasnt happened in awhile.

Sharon

Re: Dream

>

>

>

> In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:59:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> kidsnpets@... writes:

>

> Last night I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was told (not sure by whom)

> that my dd was misdiagnosed and she does NOT have ocd, anxiety, or sensory.

> I don't recall if I was told she had some other issue, though. I just

> remember feeling a great sense of relief. It felt so real. Anyone else ever

> have a dream like that?

>

> Sharon....

>

> No, never have. But it made me wonder about something else. I've read that

> people with problems like, not being able to walk, or who have had a limb

> amputated, etc., that when they dream, they're not like that.

> Makes me wonder

> if kids with OCD have it in their dreams or not???????

> LT

>

>

[Guest guest]

what a great positive thought - so true - after a terrible night and

morning I need to remember and believe there is a light at the end of

the tunnel ( and that ERP really needs to be done daily!!!!!)

eileen

Quoting Skbradfield@...:

> I don't know if I have had a dream exactly like that but similar to that. I

> think sometime when something is really bothering us, in our dreams,

> our brain

> tries to fix the problem. It is like having a relief from the problem for a

> little while. Maybe God was in the dream because you know that he is the only

> one who can help fix or make your child better. Who knows... maybe it

> could be a message from God. Telling you everything is going to be alright.

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

we went from a lovely (almost ) time to downhill lately too - maybe

not enough sleep??? should I up the inositol??? - maybe catch up on

sleep first ?? she gets 11-12 a night still (7 y.o.) and she functions

without but definately worse OCD without sleep lately

eileen

She did say she's having a harder time going to sleep lately but she's

still out so fast so I'm not going to change anything but I think

there are thoughts /anxieties coming before bed that never were???

uugghh!!

Quoting kidsnpets <kidsnpets@...>:

> Today she told me of another OCD thing she used to do but doesnt do

> anymore. She said if she saw something that had swirls, she would

> have to move her head or eyes to follow them and keep doing it until

> she got it " just right " . She is 5 and has counted things on and

> off. Being 5, she loves the number 5. When she counts things now,

> if her " favorite " thing doesnt end up being the 5th thing, she gets

> frustrated and has to recount until it lands on 5. <sigh>

>

> She hasnt been sleeping very well, waking up during the night or

> very early in the am. That hasnt happened in awhile.

> Sharon

> Re: Dream

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:59:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> > kidsnpets@... writes:

> >

> > Last night I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was told (not

> sure by whom)

> > that my dd was misdiagnosed and she does NOT have ocd, anxiety,

> or sensory.

> > I don't recall if I was told she had some other issue, though. I just

> > remember feeling a great sense of relief. It felt so real.

> Anyone else ever

> > have a dream like that?

> >

> > Sharon....

> >

> > No, never have. But it made me wonder about something else. I've

> read that

> > people with problems like, not being able to walk, or who have had a limb

> > amputated, etc., that when they dream, they're not like that.

> > Makes me wonder

> > if kids with OCD have it in their dreams or not???????

> > LT

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

dd didn't know - so now we're both paying closer attention to our

dream - LOL!!!!

eileen

Quoting jtlt@...:

>

> In a message dated 11/20/2006 7:59:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> kidsnpets@... writes:

>

> Last night I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was told (not sure by whom)

> that my dd was misdiagnosed and she does NOT have ocd, anxiety, or sensory.

> I don't recall if I was told she had some other issue, though. I just

> remember feeling a great sense of relief. It felt so real. Anyone

> else ever

> have a dream like that?

>

>

> Sharon....

>

> No, never have. But it made me wonder about something else. I've read that

> people with problems like, not being able to walk, or who have had a limb

> amputated, etc., that when they dream, they're not like that.

> Makes me wonder

> if kids with OCD have it in their dreams or not???????

> LT

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That is a great way to think about it!

Thanks

Sharon

Re: Dream

I don't know if I have had a dream exactly like that but similar to that. I

think sometime when something is really bothering us, in our dreams, our brain

tries to fix the problem. It is like having a relief from the problem for a

little while. Maybe God was in the dream because you know that he is the only

one who can help fix or make your child better. Who knows... maybe it

could be a message from God. Telling you everything is going to be alright.

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been

thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking

gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes

for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They

could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in

with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement

homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live

away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel

comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices

for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want

him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion

about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks

for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

I believe you and Pam should get together...this sounds like what she has proposed.

Personally, I would like our son Noah to live in our local community in a condo or apartment, maybe a small townhouse with a "typical" roommate and for free room and board, the roommate would assist him in the morning to get out and in the late afternoons and evenings as needed. Noah needs, pretty much 24/7 supervision, but I envision this more "normal" living situation, at least while he is young. I would consider other options as he ages, but a home of his own is my dream for him now and well into the future. I never want an agency to be able to shuffle him around. I want my son to be able to pick his roommates (typical or otherwise) and I definitely want him to have his own bedroom.

I think there is room for multiple choices and models with the exception of state run institutions, which are not appropriate for anyone...not even medically fragile, in my opinion. Everyone is capable of living in the community...EVERYONE! Go visit other states...it can be done and it is being done elsewhere.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Dream

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley, Kolomyjec with SHE is building a fabulous low income, handicap accessible apartment building in St. . suzanne@...The units four bedrooms, two bathrooms, one bathroom has a wheel-in-shower, with a common area and a kitchen. The rents are extremely reasonable. Good Luck,Silvia  On Jun 21, 2007, at 4:16 PM, momofchris2007 wrote:Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Ellen, will need 24/7 assistance as well. He works at Jewel as a bagger and does great. He can do lots of things on his own but needs direction. He could never take care of money issues, bills, when to go to bed, time, etc. I want him to be part of a community but I guess I want to be near by to over see he is being taken care of and is happy. I want him to have others to socialize with, watch movies with, go out with too. I am open to other ideas but there is just no place like this. Ellen Bronfeld <egskb@...> wrote: I believe you and Pam should get together...this sounds like what she has proposed. Personally, I would like our son Noah to live in our local community in a condo or apartment, maybe a small townhouse with a "typical" roommate and for free room and board, the roommate would assist him in the morning to get out and in the late afternoons and evenings as needed. Noah needs, pretty much 24/7 supervision, but I envision this more "normal" living situation, at least while he is young. I would consider other options as he ages, but a home of his own is my dream for him now and well into the future. I never want an agency to be able to shuffle him around. I want my son to be able to pick his roommates (typical or otherwise) and I definitely want him to have his own

bedroom. I think there is room for multiple choices and models with the exception of state run institutions, which are not appropriate for anyone...not even medically fragile, in my opinion. Everyone is capable of living in the community...EVERYONE! Go visit other states...it can be done and it is being done elsewhere. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskbsbcglobal (DOT) net Dream Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move

out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

I was questioning if I should respond since, right now, we do not

have any openings but...

I am community leader of L'Arche Chicago. L'Arche communities are

intentional small faith communities where people with intellectual

disabilities (called " core members " because they are at the heart of

the community) and those who share life with them (called

assistants) live, work, play and pray together. Assistants are

there to accompany, to coach and to help in those areas of self-

care, emotional management, financial management, health-care,

homemaking as needed. Core members have a great deal to say about

new members to the community whether those be new core members or

new assistants. They participate actively in decisions about house

decoration, vacations and any group activities. They develop their

own network of friends outside the community as well and make

arrangements to visit them as well as inviting them into the

community for dinner or celebration of just for afternoon coffee.

Core member families (whether parents or sibs and their families)

are encouraged to be active participants and frequent guests no

matter what the geographic distance. For that matter, assistants'

families are sometimes also involved. And of course, core members

are encouraged and supported in participating in their local church

(or synagogue or mosque, even, when appropriate) congregations.

Check us out at www.larchechicago.org, www.larcheusa.org and

www.larche.org.

I believe you and Pam

should get together...this sounds like what she has proposed.

> Personally, I would like our son Noah to live in our local

community in a condo or apartment, maybe a small townhouse with

a " typical " roommate and for free room and board, the roommate would

assist him in the morning to get out and in the late afternoons and

evenings as needed. Noah needs, pretty much 24/7 supervision, but I

envision this more " normal " living situation, at least while he is

young. I would consider other options as he ages, but a home of his

own is my dream for him now and well into the future. I never want

an agency to be able to shuffle him around. I want my son to be

able to pick his roommates (typical or otherwise) and I definitely

want him to have his own bedroom.

> I think there is room for multiple choices and models with the

exception of state run institutions, which are not appropriate for

anyone...not even medically fragile, in my opinion. Everyone is

capable of living in the community...EVERYONE! Go visit other

states...it can be done and it is being done elsewhere.

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Dream

>

>

> Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have

been

> thinking about his future living situation and I just started

thinking

> gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town

homes

> for the families and a few living centers for our adult children.

They

> could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live

in

> with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like

retirement

> homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to

live

> away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel

> comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many

choices

> for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't

want

> him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion

> about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas?

Thanks

> for reading. Shirley

>

[Guest guest]

To update you: the project in St. that Sue was doing has been stopped. The owner of the land is selling to some else. So after 2 years of working hard - we have nothing!! The story of our lives! But we must keep up HOPE! and Keep trying!!

Re: Dream

Hi Shirley,

Kolomyjec with SHE is building a fabulous low income, handicap accessible apartment building in St. .

suzannesheinc (DOT) org

The units four bedrooms, two bathrooms, one bathroom has a wheel-in-shower, with a common area and a kitchen. The rents are extremely reasonable.

Good Luck,

Silvia

On Jun 21, 2007, at 4:16 PM, momofchris2007 wrote:

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Thanks I will check it out.andra Conroy <larchechicago@...> wrote: I was questioning if I should respond since, right now, we do not have any openings but...I am community leader of L'Arche Chicago. L'Arche communities are intentional small faith communities where people with intellectual disabilities (called "core members" because they are at the heart of the community) and those who share life with them (called assistants) live, work, play and pray together. Assistants are there

to accompany, to coach and to help in those areas of self-care, emotional management, financial management, health-care, homemaking as needed. Core members have a great deal to say about new members to the community whether those be new core members or new assistants. They participate actively in decisions about house decoration, vacations and any group activities. They develop their own network of friends outside the community as well and make arrangements to visit them as well as inviting them into the community for dinner or celebration of just for afternoon coffee. Core member families (whether parents or sibs and their families) are encouraged to be active participants and frequent guests no matter what the geographic distance. For that matter, assistants' families are sometimes also involved. And of course, core members are encouraged and supported in participating in their local church (or synagogue or mosque,

even, when appropriate) congregations. Check us out at www.larchechicago.org, www.larcheusa.org and www.larche.org.--- In IPADDUnite , Shirley Linden <slpanda2@...> wrote:>> Ellen, will need 24/7 assistance as well. He works at Jewel as a bagger and does great. He can do lots of things on his own but needs direction. He could never take care of money issues, bills, when to go to bed, time, etc. I want him to be part of a community but I guess I want to be near by to over see he is being taken care of and is happy. I want him to have others to socialize with, watch movies with, go out with too. I am open to other ideas but there is just no place like this. > > Ellen Bronfeld <egskb@...> wrote: I believe you and Pam should get together...this sounds like what she has proposed.>

Personally, I would like our son Noah to live in our local community in a condo or apartment, maybe a small townhouse with a "typical" roommate and for free room and board, the roommate would assist him in the morning to get out and in the late afternoons and evenings as needed. Noah needs, pretty much 24/7 supervision, but I envision this more "normal" living situation, at least while he is young. I would consider other options as he ages, but a home of his own is my dream for him now and well into the future. I never want an agency to be able to shuffle him around. I want my son to be able to pick his roommates (typical or otherwise) and I definitely want him to have his own bedroom.> I think there is room for multiple choices and models with the exception of state run institutions, which are not appropriate for anyone...not even medically fragile, in my opinion. Everyone is capable of living in the

community...EVERYONE! Go visit other states...it can be done and it is being done elsewhere.> Ellen> Ellen Garber Bronfeld> egskb@...> Dream> > > Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been > thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking > gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes > for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They > could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in > with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement > homes) The families are close by but our children could

learn to live > away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel > comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices > for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want > him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion > about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks > for reading. Shirley>

[Guest guest]

Yes that is what I seem to get all the time, another dead end. Thanks anyway.ginar_30 <ginar_30@...> wrote: To update you: the project in St. that Sue was doing has been stopped. The owner of the land is selling to some else. So after 2 years of working hard - we have nothing!! The story of our lives! But we must keep up HOPE! and Keep trying!! Re: Dream Hi Shirley, Kolomyjec with SHE is building a fabulous low income, handicap accessible apartment building in St. . suzannesheinc (DOT) org The units four bedrooms, two

bathrooms, one bathroom has a wheel-in-shower, with a common area and a kitchen. The rents are extremely reasonable. Good Luck, Silvia On Jun 21, 2007, at 4:16 PM, momofchris2007 wrote: Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

I guess because our community has great special rec services and Noah has lots of friends and a full and active social life already, I am envisioning his social life as something that occurs, as it does for most of us, outside of his home.

He too needs lots of assistance but with appropriate and essential supports in place, he should be able to be successful in a fairly typical living situation.

Noah has minimal language and is also unable to handle his own finances, prepare all meals and manage his schedule without assistance of some sort.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Dream

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the information.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Dream> > > Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been > thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking > gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes > for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They > could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in > with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement > homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live > away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel > comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices > for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want > him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion > about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks > for reading. Shirley>

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear that, .

This sounded really good.

I know there was a similar residential project in DeKalb, that I believe is still ongoing and has been successful.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Dream

Hi Shirley, Kolomyjec with SHE is building a fabulous low income, handicap accessible apartment building in St. .

suzannesheinc (DOT) org

The units four bedrooms, two bathrooms, one bathroom has a wheel-in-shower, with a common area and a kitchen. The rents are extremely reasonable. Good Luck,

Silvia

On Jun 21, 2007, at 4:16 PM, momofchris2007 wrote:

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Ellen, too has a very happy busy life. He works 12-20 hours a week, and is active in a Social Club every other Friday with the Hanson Center, as well as other activities with them, as well as going places with us and his extended family. No matter where we go he knows someone. He could never live on his own so I would just like to find the best future living community for his future. I just though what a better place for him then with other young adults like him and their families. Somewhere that he could feel he was living away from home but not too far. It's just a dream I guess.Ellen Bronfeld <egskb@...> wrote: I guess because our community has great special rec services and Noah has lots of friends and a full and active social life already, I am envisioning his social life as something that occurs, as it does for most of us, outside of his home. He too needs lots of assistance but with appropriate and essential supports in place, he should be able to be successful in a fairly typical living situation. Noah has minimal language and is also unable to handle his own finances, prepare all meals and manage his schedule without assistance of some sort. Ellen Ellen

Garber Bronfeldegskbsbcglobal (DOT) net Dream Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our

adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

Can you name those states???

Kathleen

>

> I believe you and Pam should get together...this sounds like what

she has proposed.

> Personally, I would like our son Noah to live in our local community

in a condo or apartment, maybe a small townhouse with a " typical "

roommate and for free room and board, the roommate would assist him in

the morning to get out and in the late afternoons and evenings as

needed. Noah needs, pretty much 24/7 supervision, but I envision this

more " normal " living situation, at least while he is young. I would

consider other options as he ages, but a home of his own is my dream

for him now and well into the future. I never want an agency to be

able to shuffle him around. I want my son to be able to pick his

roommates (typical or otherwise) and I definitely want him to have his

own bedroom.

> I think there is room for multiple choices and models with the

exception of state run institutions, which are not appropriate for

anyone...not even medically fragile, in my opinion. Everyone is

capable of living in the community...EVERYONE! Go visit other

states...it can be done and it is being done elsewhere.

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Dream

>

>

> Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been

> thinking about his future living situation and I just started

thinking

> gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes

> for the families and a few living centers for our adult children.

They

> could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in

> with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like

retirement

> homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live

> away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel

> comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices

> for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want

> him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion

> about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks

> for reading. Shirley

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, they are both started/run by SHE. Out of the 48 apartments, only 2 were for DD. But 8 bedroom is better than none! AID is opening a new home in St. for 6 individuals in July or Aug (as soon as sprinkler system etc is completed) However they already have 10 people who have been waiting and working on the project. There is ALWAYS more demand than supply! We need to be creative in coming up with more and different ideas! Any one know a millionaire who want to make a good investment?

Re: Dream

Hi Shirley, Kolomyjec with SHE is building a fabulous low income, handicap accessible apartment building in St. .

suzannesheinc (DOT) org

The units four bedrooms, two bathrooms, one bathroom has a wheel-in-shower, with a common area and a kitchen. The rents are extremely reasonable. Good Luck,

Silvia

On Jun 21, 2007, at 4:16 PM, momofchris2007 wrote:

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Dreams CAN become reality with dedicated, committed, like-minded families.

Put the word out there and start meeting one another to work toward your dream. That is exactly how many community agencies and programs have begun.

It can be done.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Dream

Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been thinking about his future living situation and I just started thinking gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes for the families and a few living centers for our adult children. They could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (like retirement homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks for reading. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Sure, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota...all in our neighborhood and then places like California and Massachusetts where community integration is occuring many places, not all...

Indiana just closed their last state institution.

Pockets of excellence and models exist many other places as well. Not everything is perfect in most states. But if you look at large scale studies such as Braddock et al, State of the States, it lists out the very best and the very worst on a variety of measures and Illinois is repeatedly in the bottom 1/4 except in number of state institutions. We are 9th in number of state institutions in the country.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Dream> > > Ok, just hear me out. My son is 26 with Down Syndrom. I have been > thinking about his future living situation and I just startedthinking > gee wouldn't it be nice if there was a Community with nice town homes > for the families and a few living centers for our adult children.They > could each have a small 2 bedroom area for 2 boys or girls to live in > with a common dining area, rec room, livingroom, etc. (likeretirement > homes) The families are close by but our children could learn to live > away from home with dsupport so if we pass away they would feel > comfortable with where they are living. There just isn't many choices > for us are there? My son doesn't want to move out and we don't want > him to but the future scares me. I know we had a lot of discussion > about this a while back but anyone have any new advice? Ideas? Thanks > for reading. Shirley>