My background is in mental health and disabilities. I was involved in the early years of community-based services for people living with developmental disabilities, mental health challenges and other obstacles to living independently due to lack of resources, support and social isolation. Whether managing a community residence, providing case management services, developing employment, education,
or non-traditional opportunities for meaningful roles in the community, my focus is always to engage and empower the people I work with to find more meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Moving Ahead with Hope can fill a gap in the availability of time and resources needed by some individuals and their families as they seek to support their adult child to become more independent, productive and find a comfortable place in their community. An integral component of my work is to partner with families, service providers or others to navigate, communicate and problem-solve about the concerns and discomfort that can arise when there might be different ideas about how the life and journey of an adult family member living with a special challenge might evolve. It's not easy for anyone involved. Moving Ahead with Hope seeks to provide openings for growth and for change, in partnership with family and service providers. As a result of my recent, concurrent experience in elder care I have become increasingly interested in how to extend my work to include providing opportunities for meaningful daily life for adults living with special challenges, whether related to a disability, or other effects of aging. This is of great concern to caring parents and family members who may themselves be experiencing the affects of aging, or who are moving into a different phase of their own lives, and who want to ensure the needs of their loved ones are addressed. Moving Ahead with Hope can be a partner with you in your journey. It is an honor to be engaged in this work.
