Tom and Amy

Tom and Amy are inseparable. Not only do they share the bond between brother and sister, but they also have a keen understanding of what each other is experiencing.

Both Tom and Amy have Down syndrome, a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.

Before coming to Homes for Independent Living (HIL), Tom and Amy both lived at home, and required constant care which became increasingly difficult to provide. Their brother Kevin was worried that they would be separated if they entered residential care, and separation would devastate them. He wanted them to have as much independence as possible.

“HIL knew how important that was to our family and they worked with us. They have been really great,” Kevin said.

Now, Tom and Amy spend each day together, happily engaged in activities such as bowling, cooking, exercising, and participating in community outings.

And Kevin can rest easy knowing that Tom and Amy are well taken care of.

Jeremy

When Jeremy first came to Homes for Independent Living (HIL), he was quiet and withdrawn. The abrupt change in settings made him nervous and hesitant.

With the reassurance of the staff, Jeremy began to trust that he’d be just fine and came out of his shell. Now Jeremy is engaged in learning daily living skills, is learning some verbal skills, and can routinely be seen enjoying his music, playing ball, participating in dances and other outings.

Jeremy suffers from cerebral palsy, hearing and vision challenges, and various cognitive delays. Because of his disabilities, he requires total care. Before being introduced to HIL, Ruby, Jeremy’s mother, cared for Jeremy with her husband.

“For the first 25 years of Jeremy’s life, we cared for Jeremy at home, 24/7, which was very difficult. My husband and I got lost in the process. There was no time left over for us or other members of our family and we never had a break,” Ruby said.

Now Jeremy goes home every weekend to spend time with his family. No longer exhausted from the daily care, Ruby said she looks forward to their time together.

“Jeremy is a fun guy with a great gift of laughter,” Ruby said.

Jeff

Jeff likes to joke around. Some nights he can be found engaged with his housemates in a fiercely competitive game of Sorry, his favorite board game. That may sound like a simple activity, but for Jeff it is a sign of a life renewed.

Just a few years earlier, Jeff was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a progressive degenerative disease that attacks the nervous system. Having watched his father die from the same illness, Jeff understood that his life was about to take a radical turn.

As the disease progressed and symptoms advanced, his mother could no longer care for him and Jeff had to move to a nursing home. The sudden change in schedule and lack of independence was not easy for Jeff. He lost 40 pounds, about 30 percent of his total body weight. He spent most of his time in isolation. Sudden, uncontrollable movements characteristic of the disease made walking difficult, but despite this Jeff used all his strength and any opportunity to run away.

Then he found Homes for Independent Living, and moved into the Courtland Group Home in DePere, Wisconsin. The initial adjustment was difficult, but Jeff finally found an environment that allowed him to thrive and grow. Determined to give Jeff the freedom he deserves, his caregivers at Courtland worked with him so he could walk on his own without assistance, and socialize with others living in the home. He regained the 40 pounds he lost, and he appreciates being able to eat when he wants to.

Now Jeff’s days are filled with activity, engagement, and meaning. In addition to those heated board games, he participates in shopping and other community outings. He also uses the Internet to keep in close contact with his brother, John.