Thoughts on Housing

[Guest guest]

I have been reading all the posts about residential opportunities for

our adult children and would like to propose another alternative

to " calling legislators " to fund housing when money is scarce (or

misspent!). I returned to the States 20 months ago, and without

services or support when I was in crisis, I figured I had to create

my own solutions instead of waiting for the State to help out. When

my grandparents immigrated to the U.S.in the late 1800's, they helped

each other out by forming their own communities of support. I think

that is what is needed now. We don't have years to wait for state

and federal budgets to fund our needs. By all means lobby the

legislature and increase awareness in the media, but use our energy

with as much vigor in creating new residential models, too.

Fox and her friend, Delaney, have already pitched an idea to

Gov. Jon Corzine that would unite parents in common geographic areas

to pool their state funds to purchase and set up homes for their

disabled loved ones. They would then arrange for a flow of existing

state and federal entitlements to help pay the ongoing operating

costs.

When I read this in the article from New Jersey, I knew others were

thinking similar thoughts. My father passed away last year, and I am

purchasing the family home with the idea that my son may one day

live there with one or two other guys. I recently was awarded home

based services, and what if two other families could contribute their

home based services as well. Could we create our own community home

for our children? There are many good deals with foreclosures now,

why not pool our resources and do ourselves what the state is

unwilling or unable to do? I haven't worked out all the details yet,

but I'm not willing to wait for politicians to act. My house is in

the Oak Park area if any parents are interested in contacting me

about creating a home for our sons. There are 3 bedrooms, and I live

about 10 minutes away. If we all shared our talents and time, we

could provide our children with a quality of life and independence

that they wouldn't get in a larger CILA. And we wouldn't be

caretaking 24/7 ourselves. I'm interested in brainstorming with any

others about this issue. Please contact me offline. And also

consider attending the residential symposium at the Autism One

conference next May, where I hope to get even more ideas on changing

the system ourselves. There are too many suffering while we wait on

endless waiting lists.

Withers