March / April 2005
Volume 23, Number 2

Living Resources and The College of Saint Rose are trying to start a program called “The College Residential Experience”.  They made a plan and they sent it to the State for approval.  Now, I am waiting to hear if the State approves the plan. 

    The plan is that four young ladies will live in two apartments and one college student will have an apartment in the same house in the St. Rose area. The college student will be checking on the ladies and helping them out.  Living Resources will help out with transportation, training in taking the bus, cooking and everyday things. 

    Each apartment will have a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and two bedrooms.  Each of us will share a kitchen and bathroom and a living room, but will have our own bedroom.

    On the campus, we are supposed to have access to the pool, the cafeteria, the library, the gym, the computers, and the campus.  The cool thing about St. Rose is that they have
24-hour security and it is on a bus line.  Right now this is not an academic plan, but in the future it might be.  It is not where there is homework and all that.  Maybe, as the plan develops, we can be involved in music, art, theatre, poetry, and computers.

    I have mixed emotions about going if this is approved, but I will do well in what I choose to do.  I am thinking about taking courses about writing, film, and scrap booking, but I don’t know if they have all of that.  My ultimate goal is to stay for five years, and then think about what can be next.  Eventually I will sketch out my adult life: taking money management courses, budgeting courses, write better, and maybe one day have my own house.

    P.S. (by my Mom)…Apparently, the agencies that provide services for individuals with challenges have been asked to “think outside the box” regarding living options for persons with challenges.  This plan sounds like a good plan.  As usual, it is a process.  We are awaiting the verdict.  As a parent, there are so many unknowns and it is scary to think about your young adult moving on and out!  Relying on other non-family members is risky and not a comfortable position to be in, but right now that is the option we are pursuing.  Trust in the system, unknown people, and our daughter is what we have to do in order for her to do what she desires!  Of course, I will be on the backs of all the agencies and people involved…after all, I am a parent and isn’t that what all parents do!


- Brianne (Brie) Nobis is a self-advocate and an Aim High Board member -