How I turned into Rockford Independent Living?


Rockford independent living is the ability to live independently and productively in the community and to live with the same freedom of choice as a non-disabled person. So it's not that you are living on your own but that you control where you live and have the same range of choices as a non-disabled person.

Independent living means the ability to examine alternatives and make informed decisions and direct one's own life. This ability requires the availability of information, financial resources and peer group support systems. Independent living is a dynamic process, it can never be static. A person's physical, emotional and social environment and subsequent needs are continually changing and evolving. The struggle for Independent Living and personal determination is something each disabled person must approach in their own way. However, as disabled persons we have common problems and concerns and we must continue to work together to eliminate artificial barriers to our full and equal participation in society. Independent living really is an idea, a concept, a thought process. You apply this thought process to your lifestyle. I would think that even if a person were in prison and the only choice that they could make would be whether they would eat their food when they first got it, or eat it an hour later, they would still be practicing Independent Living.

Is your current lifestyle an example of Independent Living?
I have not the same choices as a non-disabled person but over the years I have developed a system and options. So I have close to the same range of choices but that's only because I have my own money. If I were simply dependent on what society has to offer, I would not be productive. It's very clear to me that what I am able to do in terms of the work I do in the BC Coalition of the Disabled and in other organizations is a function of the aids I have acquired. If I didn't have them when I needed them, I couldn't make my contribution to society.

Having control over my own workers is very important. I have arranged things so I select my own worker now. That has made a big difference in my life. As long as I was getting homemakers from the government agency that took an enormous amount of time each week. You have to really work to ensure that the homemakers do the work that you need done. I used to establish a close personal relationship with the person so they would have motivation.

Now that I pick my own people they feel responsible to me. Legally they are the agency's employee but they and I know that they are my employees. It takes a lot less of my time and energy this way. It also makes an enormous difference that I have money to pay for extra hours. I'm able to say, Rockford independent living is what I want. If there are things that I want done that are outside the government's guidelines, I pay for it with my own money.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Reasons to Rent Apartments in Rockford IL

Increasing Popularity of Retirement Homes in Rockford

Assisted Living in Rockford IL and its Unique Setup