Growing Up Special

“Moving Day Can Be Moving”

Jarry and Andy, two guys who went to Special Education classes, found their way into the Mid Nebraska Individual Services program as soon as they left school. Both fellows lived at home with their parents but when they left the classroom they qualified for workshop and housing benefits.  The two were already well acquainted from their school days and were close to the same age, so they made good housemates.  Staff looked after them during the hours they were not involved in sheltered workshop activities, ensuring all their needs were met and they were well cared for, living in a comfortable home on a lovely tree lined street.

Jarry managed to find work in a warehouse and if it had not been for a health condition, he may have been gainfully employed like any other high school graduate.

Andy, on the other hand, exhibited some behavioral issues that precluded private employment.  Instead, he shone in the workshop by folding mechanics’ towels, counting the bundles and stacking them. 

Both boys matured and learned life skills as their abilities allowed. 

It was shocking for them and their families to learn that the owner of the house they rented was going to move back and wanted her house for her own living arrangements.  It did not take long, though, before arrangements were made for the guys to live in a newly erected apartment building and they acquired a third housemate, Ron, who shared expenses in the new place.

Moving was exciting for the boys then because each would have shiny new living quarters, the same familiar staff, and new furniture!  The parents heaved and hauled all the boys’ belongings to the new digs and helped them get settled.

Change

Change is very difficult for anyone.  For people with disabilities it can be traumatic.  Ron worries that he will never see his Elvis posters and that he might get lost, Andy is sure he will never be able to find his miniature windmills and obsesses about where the calendar will hang.  Jarry just wants to know all about the closets and make certain he’ll have enough room for his Nebraska Cornhusker collection. Change requires a great deal of reassurance and routine!

More Change

More than a decade has passed since that major event.  The apartment complex no longer allows patio grills, Andy cannot play his drums without disturbing the neighbors, and the management is not willing to make needed repairs to their apartment.  It has been decided that more suitable living arrangements can be made by moving the fellows into a six-plex  complex near the downtown area.  All their needs will be accommodated beautifully in comfortable, affordable surroundings.  They will retain their loving staff, the Elvis posters, the windmills and calendars.  And Jarry’s room has enough storage for his growing collection of ‘Go Big Red!’ items!

But the very best feature of all?  Moms and Dads won’t have to do the heavy lifting this time.  Professional movers have been called!

Emotional Factors

Fear of loss figures into any move for anyone.  As a move takes place, we risk losing the familiarity of our routine, the comfort of known surroundings.  We may have difficulty remembering where the light switches are placed!  We may be concerned that we can find our belongings when we arrive at the new location.  This houseful of guys is no different in that respect; their fears may just be amplified and they will no doubt need large doses of reassurance and routine until the new place becomes old hat.  They are most fortunate, as are the families, to know that Staff has everything under control and all will be well.

Moving may be a moving experience but it can also be a great adventure!  Andy, Jarry and Ron will eagerly and cheerfully share their photo books to prove that point!

Connie Baum-guest blogger

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