I recently had a meeting with Liz Caddell and Suzanne Paley, my MSC, during which I came to realize how much Liberty has done for me in the past few months and how much I would like to give something back.

In the ’40s and ’50s and even the ’60s, institutionalization was the norm and often considered the only option for a person with a developmental disability. However, because of organizations like Liberty, there are now a great many more opportunities for adults with special needs.

In 1971, Geraldo Rivera did a journalistic exposé on Willowbrook. It was not a very good place to live. Some of the consumers in Liberty were those very residents of Willowbrook. I had a chance to watch a video of this broadcast and I was shocked by what I saw. The conditions were horrible, people were malnourished, unwashed, and lived in deplorable conditions. This was disturbing and stomach-turning to watch, but it provided insight on how people like me were treated back then and how they were made to live. I feel great sadness for anyone who experienced that kind of abuse.

In the past, if you were considered different, people would shy away from you. However, I feel honored to live in a time where that is no longer the case. I was even able to attend school which, in previous decades, would have been very difficult or even impossible for me to do. Although I have certain limitations and will always have obstacles to face, I know that I can’t let them get me down or leave me discouraged. Liberty has changed my life for the better. There are many great qualities about the organization, but most of all, Liberty is characterized by tremendous caring. That is what Liberty is all about. Even though I have family of my own, Liberty has provided me an additional family of love and support and for that I will always be grateful.

Let me tell you a little about the role each of these special people have played in my life.
My MSC, Suzanne Paley, has great mental strength and a good character and only wants what is best for me. She is always looking out for my best interests. Allison Busseno and Mike Pickard are two people who made my new home a reality. I don’t think that this would have been possible without them. I would also like to thank the staff at my home on Wesleyan Avenue: Allison Busseno for getting the house operational and for running a tight ship. Kara Reed has helped me by assisting me in my goal of realizing my full potential and managing the occasionally obsessive side of my personality. She has a very kind heart and is always there for me when I need her. Christine Chichester is always trying to help me work on my independence and she never lets any of my excuses stop her from pushing me to my full potential. Ellen LaMont is always very fair, upfront, and honest with me and is always looking out for my best interests. Matt Richards never lets me get away with anything, never falls for any of my excuses, and always tries to get me to do as much as I can for myself. Tyler Kanches is a person who would never abandon me when times get tough. He has accepted me for who I am and I hope that we can remain friends for a long time to come. George Parra has recently joined the staff at Wesleyan Avenue and having him there has been making the time very enjoyable. I hope that I can make his time at Wesleyan just as enjoyable.

I could live here forever. I know that the same staff will not always be working with me, which is one reason I try to make each moment count.

I am so honored to have such a beautiful home, great staff, and wonderful people to work with and for having Jesse and John to live with. Not many people are so fortunate. I thank my lucky stars every day.

Liberty and the Wesleyan staff have given so much to me and this is my way of saying thank you. I hope that reading this shows the great appreciation that I have for them as I am so very pleased to be writing it.

Thank you, Liberty, for all you have done for me. Posted 092508