“There is a difference between a dream and a goal. A dream is a gift you want to be given. A goal is something you work to achieve.” ~ Brian Knapp, Creative Pursuit
Karen Wright has been on a quest to live independently for many years. Her journey began more than 17 years ago when she joined Living Resources’ Albany Supportive Living Program. Within this Supportive Individual Residential Alternative (IRA) she lived in a designated apartment with regular staff support for skills such as apartment maintenance, cooking, cleaning, shopping, money management, and general organization.
There, her staff embraced her desire to live in an apartment of her very own, helping her identify several goals needed to achieve this dream. With hard work and determination on Karen’s part, and education, support, and encouragement from her Direct Support Professionals, Karen learned how to make and keep a budget, pay her own bills and manage her own medications. The amount of effort Karen put into this accomplishment is even more apparent when you factor in that she did all of this while working part-time and raising her son, Keyshawn, who is now 22 years old.
With the successful accomplishment of all her goals, Karen’s moment arrived. She moved into her own apartment and is now living the independent life she always wanted. This is not to say that she will be completely unsupported. One of our Community Habilitation Instructors will provide the assistance needed to help her keep up her skills and ensure she is as successful as possible.