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Since I was only able interview two people who lived in an institution, I have very little to share about that. What I did learn is that you do not have many choices or personal freedom living in an institution.
The one man I interviewed, who now works at “Spindleworks” in Brunswick, ME, told me several sad things about when he lived in an institution. The first one is you had to eat what ever they gave you. He needed a shower chair for bathing; they did not have one for him. He said that because he fell down a lot, that they didn’t care about him, they just left him to get him self up. If he wanted to go out with family or friends he had to get permission and it sometimes took weeks for an answer.
The woman I interviewed had a fairly pleasant experience in an institution. She said that when she had a bad dream or a nightmare and cried out in the middle of the night they would come in to comfort her and calm her down.
Having never lived in an institution I can tell you, from what I heard from these two people, I really enjoy my many choices and freedoms. I live in an apartment close to the middle of a town with my mom whom I love very much. I can walk to pretty much any place I want. One of my favorite places I can walk to is Dunkin Donuts. I have a Dunkin Donuts account card. Every payday I can put money on my card. This is so I have money set to go and get a treat for myself all week. I love to go shopping at Hannaford because I can buy whatever groceries I want.
Sometimes my mom and I have little disagreements, mostly because I feel am a big girl and I can take care of myself. I like to be out after dark. My mom does not want me to be out after dark because she is afraid something is going to happen to me. What is really nice about that is we talk about it and work it out right away. When I want to go out at night we work out a plan. If I take a taxi home, I need to find out how much it will cost first. If I want to go somewhere (and I want it to cost less) I have to set it up at least a couple of days before with a transportation company like “Coastal Transportation”.
Another freedom I enjoy is making my own money. In order to have a good paying job, I need a job coach who will help me stay on track at work, other wise I would be gabbing with all my friends there.
I think my most important freedom is my social life and most of that is having fun at the Learning Center, which I can walk to in less than two minutes. One of the activities that is a favorite, is bowling with my friends. The Learning Center staff drives my peers and me in a big van to the bowling alley. Sometimes I go out with friend for meals in restaurants. Another favorite thing to do is go to Karaoke Night at the Learning Center once a month. I have just started to go to Speaking Up for Us activities, like going to the State House in Augusta to talk to our Representatives about stopping the budget cut backs. That was very exciting.
I am glad I don’t live in an institution where I can’t go out when I want to without waiting for permission. I am glad I can see my friends when I want to. I would be very unhappy if I could not see my Mom everyday. I think living in the community is the best because I have so many choices; I just have to pick one at a time.