November 2013 Newsletter
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November 2013 A Part of the Dream Home ownership has always been a part of the American about these programs if it wasn’t for Freedom Resource Center.” Dream. It is a place to call your own. The spot where after a long day of Bridget commented. She quickly worked on starting the application hard work you can kick your feet up, relax, and watch your favorite sports process. team or program. It is shelter from the storm and sometimes an escape Working at a local fast food chain restaurant since 1996 and from outside responsibilities. It is the biggest investment and perhaps the four seasons at the local race track, Bridget deserved options and the biggest asset a person can have. opportunity to make her own choice on where she wanted to call home. Yet for many people with disabilities, home ownership simply The paperwork was fi led with the help of Rebecca and all they could remains a dream. It is a dream that many give up on and never make do after was be patient. After some time went by, Bridget found out she reality. There remain too many barriers for this purchase that many view as would be approved for a low interest loan from the USDA. “making it.” Low wage jobs, little to no credit history, and accessibility are After searching for the perfect home, she found the one she just a handful of the many barriers that keep owning a home out of reach wanted. “It was gutted out and remodeled. Nothing else compared to for many people looking to have an equal shot at the American Dream. this place.” Bridget said. With her loan approved on a Friday, Bridget Those barriers didn’t stop Bridget Gronwold in her pursuit for a place to call began house shopping on that Saturday. “I was so excited to buy this home. house, I couldn’t wait to move in.” She stated. Bridget sought to break the barriers to home ownership. She In describing how she has decorated her home, Bridget was wanted help moving out of her apartment and to purchase her fi rst full of smiles. Her description is one full of color and accents. “I was house. Like many others, Bridget didn’t know where to start. Through lucky enough to be invited to her house warming party where I got to her community connections and good friends, she heard about Freedom meet Bridget’s family and friends. It was a real treat to be a part of their Resource Center. excitement for Bridget,” Rebecca said. “Her house is very nice and Helping people with disabilities fi nd resources and information well put together.” A sports fanatic, the lower level is baseball themed. is the heart of what our organization does. We’ve helped many others fi nd “The Twins are my team!” she said enthusiastically. “I was a catcher in the means and services to achieve their dream and move into the home softball for about 15 years so I decided baseball was the sport to pick.” of their choice. One of those success stories turns out to be a very good She concluded. friend of Bridget’s. Reaching a personal goal of buying “I was tired of renting and wanted a home of my own. your fi rst home can be diffi cult. Bridget knew her I wouldn’t have known about these programs if it goal and stuck to it. “Bridget wasn’t for Freedom Resource Center.” is a real go-getter; it is fun In January of 2013, Bridget began Continued on page 2 working with Rebecca Waldera, Independent Bridget’s house Living Advocate in Fergus Falls, to learn about the available programs and how to navigate the barriers toward independence What’s in home ownership. Rebecca told her about a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) • Why Visitabllity Matters program that would be very helpful in her current situation. “Bridget took the information • From Where I Sit I provided on housing programs and ran • Visitability in Your Home with it.” Rebecca continued. “She really did the hard work when it came to all the steps • What’s Wrong With This Picture? involved with the home buying process.” “I was tired of renting and wanted Bridget Gronwold a home of my own. I wouldn’t have known and her dog Shilo 701-478-0459 • 800-450-0459 • www.freedomrc.org 1 488553_kp1.indd 1 11/20/13 9:27 AM Why Visitability Matters From Where I Sit Continued from page 1 Below are scenarios many of us may over look when it comes to our homes. A lot by Nate Aalgaard, Executive Director of the time we are unaware of these basic barriers to accessibility. These scenarios, though to see her achieve her goals from start made up, do happen and illustrate why it is important to consider how to make your home “Be careful, or you’ll break your to fi nish.” Rebecca said. “It is hard not to visitable for those with mobility impairments. Take a moment to read the four examples and neck.” Have you ever used this term? smile when you’re around her. Her energy think about what you can do to improve accessibility in your home. Maybe your mother said it to you in order and enthusiasm for family and community to get you to stop jumping on the bed, involvement is something to really admire.” 1) You decide you’d like to host the holidays this year in your climbing trees, or doing wheelies with your As she continues to make her new home. You invite your family months in advance and motorcycle. But have you ever stopped house her home, Bridget looks to the next everyone agrees to bring something for dinner. You live in a to think what this really means? In our step with Freedom Resource Center. She is looking toward her goal of retirement. bi-level home with a narrow entrance. Grandpa has shown subconscious, is there an inherent fear “I’d eventually like to work part time with signs of aging and now needs a walker due to his severe of becoming paralyzed? In essence: is it kids, dogs, or with sports.” She said. arthritis. Unable to maneuver the steps to get to the dining viewed as a fate worse than death? Bridget has been a homeowner room, your grandparents decide they will be unable to join The Forum of Fargo – Moorhead since August of 2013. She continues to the rest of the family for the holiday dinner. came out with a story on November 5 make improvements to her home and regarding a 32-year-old Indiana man who reaching toward greater independence. was paralyzed after falling from a tree while Open Floor Plan She dreamed of homeownership and with 2) You’re fi t and active, exercising regularly. Part of your routine deer hunting. Tim Bowers broke his neck a little guidance from Freedom Resource is jogging up the steps to the entrance of your home. Recently at the cervical 3, 4 and 5 level, causing Center, she has achieved one aspect you and friends decide to go hiking. During the trip you slip, paralysis to basically his entire body of that great American Dream. We look forward seeing Bridget’s future successes. fall, and become paralyzed from the waist down. You now below his neck. What makes this story utilize a wheelchair for mobility. Because every entrance to unusual is that even while in acute care your home has steps, you are forced to stay in the hospital at the hospital, he was allowed to make until a permanent ramp is installed. the decision to end treatment, effectively FYI ending his life. The doctors, at the request What: Grateful Gathering of his family, brought him out of a coma Lunch will be provided 3) Your 8 year old son is having a sleepover for the other boys in order to ask him what he wanted to do. When: December 19, 2013 in his class. The boys are buzzing about the upcoming Usually, it’s family members who make this Time: 12:00 to 3:00pm sleepover all week. Everyone is invited including the boy who decision for a terminally ill person. Where: Boy Scouts of America Building in uses a wheelchair. Unfortunately because of the steps going The article goes on to say that Fargo. Call 701-478-0459 We will be sending to both entrances of the house, the boy who uses a wheel- 43 Inch Wide Hallway medical ethicists say it’s rare for someone cards to those who help us in the community, so chair is unable to join the rest of his friends at the sleepover. to decide on the spot to be removed from be thinking of who you would like to thank. life support, especially so soon after an injury. But standard practice is to grant What: Make your New Year’s resolution 4) Grandma is coming to town and recently began using a more autonomy to patients. In this case, The who, what, when where, why of setting a goal you will actually meet! walker. She’s excited to spend a couple of days at your apparently Bowers’ brain function was not When: December 30, 2013 house seeing her great grand kids. She arrives and easily affected by his injury. It was not clear by Time: 10:00 to 11:00 am gets in your house because you have one entrance without reading the story whether or not he would Where: Conference Room #3 Lincoln Center, steps.