Hiring My Supporters

1. Hiring My Supporters Presenter: Ralph Beck

2. Good To See You Good See You

3. Living in Wernersville State Hospital • I did not like the food • Some of the nurses I know were nice • The orderlies hurt people, they know better than to touch me • One time I was restrained on the floor, I did not like that

4. I Want to Teach • I was teaching people at the hospital how to Sign. • I want to help people who are deaf and people who are blind. • Because you never know which people are deaf or blind. • Sign brings people together.

5. I told Wernersville it was time • I wanted to change my life • I was bored, I could only watch TV and there were no games and nurses gave me my medication • David, Georgie, John, and Gail helped me get out • I needed someone to help me, I needed someone to live with

6. Who will it be? • First I needed to know what I would like in someone to provide supports for me. • Someone who is fun and likes to go out to Park City and walk around • I like to walk downtown Lancaster • I like going to see baseball games • The person has to be respectful

7. review Consider The Search • Put ads in the newspaper • Put out flyers • David took me to different places like the store to meet people Find Looking for a roommate in Lancaster I am looking for a housemate. It would be a perfect match if the person knew Sign, enjoyed art, sports- especially baseball and helping me make new acquaintances and friends. I need someone to help me with daily living, personal care, and medical needs. I am looking for someone who can help me with the requirements of daily living in exchange for room and board. The roommate must be a non-smoker/drinker. The person must be patient and pleasant. I will be moving to an apartment in Lancaster City so I can be close to everything-you will be too if this is something you are interested in, let’s talk. Observe Connect Discover

8. Juan • It was not easy to look for or find someone • Georgie, who I trust, introduced me to Juan • Juan and I like to eat at Park City and going to the park • He asks me what I like and don’t like • He and I share a love of big trees and have fun

9. Wilmer • Juan introduced me to his friend Wilmer • Wilmer is my room mate and helps me to cook • Wilmer also helps me with my personal care • We have been living together since October 2004

10. Job Description • Gail, my friend, helped me to develop a job description • It is a document that helps to explain who I am • My likes and dislikes • Where I want to go in my life • I use the job description to direct my supporters.

11. My Outcomes(from my job description) I… • Will direct my life, supports and be my own boss • Will be employed • Will be healthy and safe • Will be involved in my community and form new relationships • Will be an advocate • am an artist

12. Directing my Life and Supports • In Wernersville I had to ask permission but, I don’t now. • I make decisions about my life and where I want to go. • My supporters need to know sign, so I teach them. • I help my supporters understand what is important to me and what is not. • I have trained people in Planning Together and Fundamental Rights

13. Housekeeper • I spoke to my circle of supports about paying someone to clean my apartment. • Together we discussed how to make it happen. • We talked about how much to pay the person and how often to have them clean. • With help from David I put up flyers around my apartment building. • I waited for a couple of days till someone called. • It felt good to have a housekeeper.

14. Interviews • I asked questions…”what kind of work you can do for me.” • I asked how much do you want me to pay you. • To pay the housekeeper it was up to me. • To pay Juan and Wilmer Shared Support helped me to decide on pay.

15. Shared Responsibility • My supporters are responsible to know who I am and helping me achieve the life I want • I am responsible to my supporters to show them how they can help me in living my life

16. Thank You