Wednesday November 28, 2007, 3:39 pm
THIS APPLIES TO THOSE OF US WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES THAT ARE SEVERELY DISABLING AS WELL AS PHYSICALLY DISABLED, I HAVE BOTH AND CAN NOT CARE FOR MYSELF AND ALL MY NEEDS OR SURVIVE WITHOUT HELP.........

Thursday November 29, 2007, 5:17 am
this is a important topic..and so selden addressed

Thursday November 29, 2007, 1:56 pm
WELL IT'S ON MY PLATE NOW AND HAS BEEN FOR SOMETIME, THE LIST FOR HOUSING IS YEARS, IVE BEEN ON THE LIST FOR NEAR 8, NOW THEY SAY 10, ONE LADY WAITED 21 YEARS, I ALSO NEED THE SUPPORTIVE CARE 2-8 HOURS DAY AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSABLE, SO LONGER WAIT WOULD THINK SHORTER, AS THIS BUILDING A FIRE TRAP FOR ME, MY POWER WHEELCHAIR BARLY FITS IN THE OLD ELEVATOR(let alone use in apt) ETCL AND NO POWER BACK UP LIKE THEY DO IN THE HOUSING. YOU HAVE TO WAIT THAT LONG THERE IS NO HOUSING. ONE LADY ON MY FRIENDS LIST GOT IN IN 4 YEARS IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND THOUGHT THAT WAS LONG AND HAS HUSBAND THAT HELPS HER, DOCTOR ETC.

THIS FAMILY IS CREATING A TRUST FOR HIM AS WELL, HE IS FORTUNATE THEY CARE ENOUGH TO DO SO, MANY DONT TO SAY THE LEAST.

Friday November 30, 2007, 8:59 am
I'd like to share something that we've put together for several families......... I understand that this may not be appropriate for all at this point.........

I with 2 partners have put together single family "peer group homes". We've taken existing single family homes, (ranch style.. no stairs, etc), retrofitted where needed for 1st floor laundry, widened doorways for wheel chair acces..., and retrofitted bathtub with a "Tubcut" process that turns the tub into a walk in shower for a whole lot less than pulling out the existing fixtures.

What were doing is based upon "The Eden Alternative". The homes are "managed" by the families of the the residents, and its all set up under an LLC structure. We've rec'd housing subsidies from the local housing authority for each of the residents, etc... The balance of the monthly costs are shared between the residents.

Its working for us with a brain damaged peer group and with elderly peer groups.

Steve
815 509-5195

Saturday December 1, 2007, 2:44 pm
Noted with thanks Sunshine. I feel very fortunate to live in Australia where my disabled adult children's needs are very well managed. When my youngest son's condition became unmanagable and violent - he has
Paranoid Schizophrenia - he was addmitted to the Acute Unit in a Psychiatric Hosptital, then to a Rehabilation Center, then to assisted living in his own government home with daily supervised medication. After about three years his condition worsened and he started to deteriorate, I had him readdmitted to the Acute Unit. It's difficult to put a severve paranoid schizophrenic in a group home because some just can't cope with being with other people in their space. I was given three possible living arrangements to go and visit. The third one was perfect, Also, I have a daughter with Autism and Down's Syndrome who goes into respite for a weekend each month to five weeks and when I need a break, it is her second home. When I die, she will go there for a few weeks, then she will be placed into a group home. I have already visited some of them and I have the peace of mind of knowing who will be caring for her after I am gone. I know my other children will visit her and take her on outings and I know she will be very well looked after. I feel very fortunate. My prayers are with you Sunshine, take care.