Lisa is now a young woman at age 26, and, having just completed her degree at a local community college, she is looking forward to starting out mostly on her own. Lisa has continued to work with Special Olympics, and she even started a club at the community college which continues to thrive - through her organization, individuals from associated fields of study at the college receive credit and training while working to support the annual Special Olympics. Additionally, she started a Disability Mentoring program which brings local children and mentors together. She was recently recognized by the mayor of her town for her contributions to the community.
Lisa continued to keep in touch with her friend Tray over the few years that she was focusing on her studies. While she had thought that she would be able to do medical billing, she was able to gain a degree to supervise the process. She and Tray stayed in touch, and, more recently, have started to date one another. She still gets a little nervous thinking about the two of them, but things are going well - who knew that the boy she met way back then would be the man she might just marry?
Lisa lives close to her parents in her own apartment. It seems that a forward-looking entrepreneur in the community received a grant to build apartments designed for people with disabilities. Lisa was able to qualify to live there, and she loves it. There is a community garden and a community center where people gather regularly. Each month, there is a speaker on an issue of importance to people living in the community. It is a little like a commune and a little like a neighborhood. It is interdependent yet private at the same time. Lisa couldn't be happier in her surroundings. She is worried that, if she and Tray get married, they may have to move out. She figures that she will cross that bridge when she needs to, though.
* How is Lisa's CP likely to affect the possibility of her having biological children?
* Do innovative housing programs exist anywhere in the US for people with disabilities? Where? Briefly describe the program(s).
* Cite relevant statistics with regard to people who have CP attending college. How unique is Lisa's path?
DECISION POINT ::: Do Tray and Lisa marry?
*Do innovative housing programs exist anywhere in the US for people with disabilities? Where? Briefly describe the program(s).
ReplyDeleteIn 2004, a People with Disabilities Advisory Board was developed as part of the Virginia Housing Development Authority. The board works together to improve the availability and accessibility of housing opportunities for those individuals with disabilities. The board works with Access Virginia, which is an online housing resource that helps Virginians with disabilities locate affordable apartments (Our Programs 2011).
Along with this program, the VHDA offers different mortgages based on the type of housing that fits each person’s needs and wants. Currently, the three different types of rental housing available are congregate housing, sponsored residential placements, and micro-boards. Congregate housing, often called group homes, has been a primary option in the past and is geared towards those with serious disabilities. The number of people that live in these homes varies significantly, and they are frequently operated by the local Community Service Boards or a non-profit organization. Sponsored Residential Placement is a program that recruits individuals or families to provide a home like setting for someone with a disability. The provider of this placement must be licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The last type of rental housing is micro-boards, which can be described as a business arrangement set up by the parents or guardian of an individual with disabilities. The micro-boards are long-term mortgage arrangements that are set up in case the parents can no longer provide for their child with disabilities (Our Programs 2011).
An example of a residential group home in Richmond, Virginia is Clearr Vission. The community-based, residential group home serves primarily those with intellectual disabilities. This is just one example, but there are a number of group homes to support the wide range of individual needs (About Us 2009).
There is a necessity to provide residential homes for individuals with disabilities, whether they are young or old. We have just highlighted Virginia’s housing programs for those with disabilities, but the forty-nine other US states are also obliged to provide similar options to their residents. These housing choices may be supported financially by each state in different ways, and the legislation concerning people with disabilities is also constantly being modified.
* Cite relevant statistics with regard to people who have CP attending college. How unique is Lisa's path?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I was unable to pinpoint an exact number related specifically to cerebral palsy and post-secondary enrollment, I was able to find some statistics that allowed me to make a reasonable assumption. According to a report regarding learning disabilities funded by the state of Florida Education Workforce, only 6% of undergraduate students reported having a disability. Because this was labeled as disability in general, that could leave a very wide range of the disabilities the students have. With this being said, I think that it is very rare that an individual diagnosed with cerebral palsy makes it on to college. Another source that I found that gave a similar statistic as that given from Florida, was one from the disability compendium. This report stated that of the 6,480,540 youth ages 3-21 that received special education services under IDEA Part B in fall of 2009, 5.5% (356,920) were 18-21 year olds. This is about the age range of individuals who attend college. This number reflects that given by the project done by the state of Florida’s education workforce.
Lisa’s path in which she went to college is quite a unique path in itself. However, Lisa did not only attend college; she was able to create clubs and groups to help both herself and individuals like herself. She continued to work with the Special Olympics on top of going to school and running these programs. Lisa had a lot on her plate, but was able to deal with and accommodate it all. Her path to success was very unique and very inspiring.
DECISION POINT::: Do Tray and Lisa marry?
ReplyDeleteIt has been decided that Tray and Lisa will marry. A date has not been set, and even though her parents protested at the beginning, they realized how in love Tray and Lisa are, and now support their choice. Tim and Yuting, even though Lisa was able to live a close to independently as she could, were worried that if Tray and Lisa married if would put a strain on both of their lives that was unneeded. But just like every marriage, it will take work. Lisa will have to learn the ins and outs of living with an individual who is blind just like Tray will have to become aware of any needs that Lisa has because of her CP.
But we believe that if Lisa can persevere through a life with CP and getting a degree, she can put the effort into making a life long relationship happen with someone she obviously cares about. And there is no lack of compassion and love in Lisa, as it shows in her determination to make a difference when she started a Disability Mentoring program and her continued work with the Special Olympics. And when someone comes from a supportive and loving family like Lisa does, she already has the tools to construct and maintain a healthy, loving relationship. Needless to say it will take hard work and some getting used to, just like any relationship, but Lisa and Tray deserve to be happy just like everyone else.
Works Cited
ReplyDeleteAbout Us (2009). In Clearr Vissions Support Services, Inc.. Retrieved April 12, 2012,
fromhttp://clearrvission.com/adult_residential_group_homes
Disability Compendium - Home Page. (n.d.). Disability Compendium - Home Page. Retrieved
April 12, 2012, from http://disabilitycompendium.org
Florida TechNet. (n.d.). Florida TechNet. Retrieved April 12, 2012, from http://www.floridatechnet.org
Our Programs (2011). In Virginia Housing Development Authority. Retrieved April 12, 2012, from http://www.vhda.com/Pages/Home.aspx
* How is Lisa's CP likely to affect the possibility of her having biological children?
ReplyDeleteLisa is capable of having biological children however there will be many more associated risks for Lisa than for parents without cerebral palsy. Since CP is physically handicapping to Lisa's mobility, pregnancy will make getting around even more difficult. Lisa will also have a complicated birthing process due to limited mobility. It may not be wise for Lisa to have biological children if she would like to have kids. A healthier decision may be adoption, however Lisa herself needs additional care and devoting many hours to a child may be more difficult than she imagines. Lisa decides that she will volunteer at a school for several hours a day so she will be able to visit children since she is not having her own. She is happy with her choice not to have children and loves the children at the school.