Erica D. finds the right environment to thrive

Erica D. thriving in ES

Though options and choices are great for many people, Erica D., a client at Merrick since 2000 is someone who benefits from a smaller more structured environment. A place where choices still exist, but are limited to what people can comfortably handle. For Erica, that place is in Enhanced Services (ES) which she joined in April of 2011. After some difficulties in adjusting to an offsite environment placement, Erica transitioned to ES. As it turns out, an offsite environment was simply too big and too stressful for her. Once her environment became smaller, so did her level of anxiety and stress.

In ES, there is a neutral reward system. It is not based on tangible rewards but on basic human behavioral principles. Instead of giving her tangible rewards, Erica has learned that when she is polite and respectful to others, she receives the same treatment in return. Erica has also learned that if she wants to buy items such as candy or pop, she can focus on the value of work and use her own earnings to buy them. Over the past year, with limited distractions, variety in jobs and activities and consistent expectations, her ability to focus on work has increased and her social skills continue to thrive in the smaller environment. Her wages are on the upswing, and her negative behaviors have seen an 80% decrease. Most importantly, Erica has earned genuine friendship with those around her.  They have found out that she loves to talk about the weather, watch the Twins and Vikings, spend time on the computer, attend her nephew’s hockey games, and shop with her mother. She loves to laugh and feel good about who she is and wanting to help others. Sometimes a change in environment is all it takes to bring out the best in us.

Greg found facing life’s challenges brings personal growth

Greg at work in White Bear Lake

Greg O. is a lifelong resident of Mounds View and has chosen to be a client at Merrick since 2003. Greg currently holds positions at three separate Freedom Valu Center locations. He also volunteers with his church, bowls on a league at The Mermaid, and enjoys attending local live music shows. To know Greg a few years ago, one might not have thought this community involvement would be possible, but Greg’s confidence has grown with each new venture he attempts.

In the past, change or a new situation brought anxiety and worry to Greg. In 2005, he began attending a Merrick support group and was encouraged to begin opening up to possibilities presented to him for personal growth.

Flash forward seven years and Greg is a much stronger person. At the Freedom Valu Store in Fridley, a regular customer befriended Greg and invited him to a Timberwolves game. This was the beginning of Greg opening up to adventure. After the Timberwolves outing, Greg exclaimed his excitement to his Employment Specialist Amy Fournier. She loved seeing the excitement and change in Greg as he overcame his nervousness to embrace unknown situations.

In August of 2011, Greg began utilizing Metro Mobility to travel to and from work. This was a HUGE step for him. After a few weeks, Greg expressed how much he liked his driver and having pleasant conversations with fellow commuters.

When Greg shares his latest adventure, or communicates how thrilled he is with the variety in his life, his face lights up and the excitement in his voice proves coming out of our shell can be the best thing that happens to us.

Jeremy brings passion and enthusiasm to work and play

Jeremy approaches life with gusto

 Jeremy K. will be the first to tell you how much he enjoys his work at Merrick. He has had a variety of experience in the past seven years and currently holds a job in the plastic recycling on-site crew and assists with van washing. He takes pride in his work and said about being part of the plastic recycling crew, “I think it’s fun and I like protecting Mother Earth.”

Jeremy is an avid self-advocate and is taking part in the Partners in Policymaking® leadership through government training services that teach self-advocates the power of advocacy and civic engagement. He graduates from the program later this spring and hopes to be able to intern at the Capitol. He knows the Capitol so well that he was mistaken for a tour guide the last time he visited legislators.

In his free time he enjoys horseback riding at Camp Friendship, taking part in the St. Paul Winter Carnival festivities, attending St. Paul Saints games, and listening to country music. When asked about his “dream job”, Jeremy replied that he hopes to some day work at Super Target in Shoreview. He also said he loves being part of Merrick, loves his job coaches, and being at Merrick makes him feel like part of one, big, happy family. Surely his kind nature, curiosity, bright spirit, and unbridled enthusiasm will lead him far.

Kris enjoying the 2011 Client Holiday Party

Best of both worlds for young-at-heart Kris

Kristine “Kris” A. is like a human magnet as wherever she goes she is surrounded by admirers. Many affectionately refer to her as an “eternal teenager” due to her spunky nature.

Kris has been a client at Merrick since 2000. She divides her week between on-site and employer-based work options. On Mondays and Tuesdays, you can find her working in the document shredding area of Merrick. When asked what she likes about document shredding, Kris replied, “I like working with my crew.”

The rest of the week Kris is part of the U of M work crew and spends her time assisting in the greenhouse. She reports with a wide smile that she likes working with the U of M staff.

In her free time, she enjoys socializing, watching TV, and listening to music. Kris is always up on the latest tunes, with her current faves being Bruno Mars and Katy Perry. If it’s “in”, Kris is talking about it, wearing it, singing it, modeling it, or wanting it. She keeps all who know her young at heart.

Crystal and her energetic smile

Crystal embraces volunteer opportunities through move to ADS

Crystal R.’s energetic ways and optimistic attitude have led her to the path of volunteering. With a recent move to Adult Day Services (ADS), Crystal is using person-centered planning and the self-discovery process to explore her life enrichment options. Currently, she is putting her energy behind the 2012 Bowl-A-Thon as a volunteer on the planning committee and a participant at the fundraiser. “I really enjoy getting to know people and going to the lunch meeting at Flaherty’s was fun too!” exclaimed Crystal.

In addition to volunteering for fundraising events at Merrick, Crystal wants to make sure her life includes taking care of children or the those who are elderly, spending time with her Grandmother, utilizing more independent transportation for work and social activities, and socializing with friends. ADS gives her a mix of life enrichment and social outings which she enjoys. Some of her favorite activities include cooking and using the computer to surf the Internet, check email, and keep up with friends through Facebook. Crystal’s story illustrates that Merrick offers empowering options beyond work to adults with disabilities.

David using assistive technology to share a riddle

Client shows humor transcends language through help of assistive technology

David S. attends Alternative Services. His neuromuscular condition allows minimal body movement, no fine motor skills and a few words only understood by familiar listeners. In many places, the level of personal care he needs would be the focus of his programming. However, David and his mother chose Merrick where personal needs are the focus along with opportunities to communicate his wants and desires. and David has a lot to communicate.

Support Service Coordinator Dede Hauck was told that David’s main mode of communication was limited to facial and eye expressions. A look to the left means one thing; a look upward means another. In an attempt to understand him better she asked him some questions. The only look she understood was the one that told her “enough with the funny questions, lady.”

She was providing hand over hand guidance for David at lunch time recently and had a hard time with how much to put on the spoon. He was clenching his mouth so tight she wondered if she was giving him too much food. As she tried a few different approaches, a coworker tried to help her out, “He only eats for Andie.” Which would be fine if Andie promised to never take a day off. Resorting to humor, Dede told David that she locked Andie in a closet and if he ever wanted to see her again, “he better open up, buster.” As she spooned in the next mouthful, he laughed and laughed. Now that’s communication!

David has also been using assistive technology (AT) which allows his cheek to activate a button that connects to an adaptation on his wheelchair. Staff can honor his wants and needs (and jokes!) and then he can communicate with others. He has an amazing personality and especially loves being able to share humor with others. Most touching was a moment at his team meeting recently when he was able to welcome everyone and share what he does at Merrick through AT. David is a prime example that with the right support, everyone can share their goals and dreams.

Ricky smiling while he works

Enhanced Services client making strides with support from dedicated staff

Ricky M. is upredictable, fun, intense, curious, outgoing, and tactile. His first weeks at Merrick over two years ago were marked by incidents of trying to physically hurt others due to not having coping skills when he was frustrated or upset.  Because of this, he had difficulty holding a job and forming positive social relationships. He was unable to focus on tasks for more than a few minutes and his interactions usually resulted in physical altercations. However the dedication of the Enhanced Services staff who are prepared for daily challenges and achieve the best outcomes, and Ricky’s efforts, things have significantly turned around.

In his current program, he receives ongoing supervision and a high degree of structure where he is able to focus on tasks and with guidance and modeling from staff Ricky has developed positive social interactions with others. In just over two years, he has learned to complete the steps of two contract jobs, as well as fill in on an offsite recycling crew and even volunteer for Meals on Wheels occasionally.

Ricky has also made tremendous strides in his ability to relate to and respect others. He now can shake hands without grabbing, he can hug without tackling, and he have a conversations with people while respecting their personal space. Though he still has some day-to-day challenges, he is now able to enjoy people and because of this, others can now enjoy him, and the many gifts he shares with the world around him.

Nick at work 

Nick M. gains independence with move

Nick M. has a wide grin on his face as he talks about his new found independence. “I can go to bed when I want”, he reports “I also haven’t missed any scheduled days of work.” Nick who has worked at the Eagan location of Kowalski’s Market for the past three years is thankful for his new more independent living arrangement. In an agreement with local social service organization, MTF, Nick and his roommate are enjoying life and activities such as bowling, basketball, grocery shopping, and going to the library to use the Internet. “It is pretty cool”, says Nick.

Nick’s coworkers at Kowalski’s heard about the big move from his Mom’s home to his new apartment for many weeks in advance of the big day and because they treasure Nick, decided to go in together on housewarming gifts for him. A group of employees from the Starbuck’s Coffee Shop within the Eagan location of Kowalski’s presented Nick with a card, photo frame and lamp for his new digs. Nick likes working at Kowalski’s because the job provides him with “a lot of variety”. He also recently received a raise and plans to save his funds for a home computer and other living expenses at his new place.

Sally at work in the kitchen of La Patisserie

Job at local bakery sweetens life for client Sally F.
 

How many of us are lucky enough to say that we have our “dream job?” Deb, the owner of La Patisserie in the Highland neighborhood of St. Paul, made that wish a reality for a client of Merrick. Sally F. and Merrick’s Independent Services Work Procurement Manager Val Boettcher approached Deb and inquired about job openings. Sally’s charming and poised personality took it from there. Deb knew Sally would be just the right touch of “sugar” to greet her customers and Sally with a wide smile and a tear in her eye exclaimed about Deb, “There are angels on earth.” After months of searching, a match was found!

The bakery is eight blocks from Sally’s home and she uses Metro Transit or Metro Mobility to make the short commute. Sally works two days a week and says, “I like the boss and I fit in here.”

Deb, the owner of the bakery, says Sally brings a “breath of fresh air” to the café’. Sally had never baked or frosted cookies, waited on customers, made bread or worn an apron, but Deb believing in her changed all that. Sally’s duties are varied, and she is now confident in frosting cakes, waiting on customers, clearing tables, washing dishes, and learning how to roll out dough and make goodies like apple bars. Sally reports she is learning how to bake without having to go to school. She plans to put a portion of her pay towards her travels in 2012 which include a trip to Nashville in June with the group Search Beyond. When asked how she likes her dream job, Sally says, “My life is wonderful here.”

Katie in D.C. with the Minnesota State Flag

Miss McDermott goes to Washington

Self-advocate Katie McDermott traveled to Washington D.C. in mid-November of 2011 representing ACT (Advocating Change Together) and Merrick, Inc., at the national Alliance for Full Participation 2011 summit.

Katie brought back information to share with the I-team on work options and independent living that she gathered from the event. Among the many highlights of her trip: a bus tour of Washington D.C., a dance at the hotel which she reports was “the fanciest hotel ever”, and making many new friends from across the country.

Katie’s next big goal is to become an elected representative of SABE (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered). She is already planning her campaign for the election that will take place in 2012.