tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411374816740853749.post8068244399824610540..comments2024-01-19T10:00:59.182-05:00Comments on The DD News Blog: The ARC Michigan to the State : Stop funding congregate settingsJill Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00976558739433548844noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411374816740853749.post-42640253848668482222013-10-04T14:41:51.688-04:002013-10-04T14:41:51.688-04:00Perhaps you misunderstood the point I was trying t...Perhaps you misunderstood the point I was trying to get across.<br /><br />Yes, I did visit Benjamin's Hope and it is very impressive. The design of the group home I saw was really done well and so much of it is obviously responding to what families want for their adult children. Benjamin's Hope, however, is "congregate care" as it is being defined by advocacy groups and CMS. My point is that there is nothing wrong with congregate care if the care is good and it is appropriate to the needs of the individual. <br />I have also visited Harbor House Ministries in Jenison, Michigan, a place where I would readily have my sons live if it was not 150 miles from Ann Arbor. It would be an excellent place for them to get the care they need and the variety of stimulating activities that would keep them engaged and, most of all, happy.<br /><br />I'm a little baffled that you thought I was criticizing the Benjamin's Hope Community, when I found it to have exactly the features that you praise.Jill Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00976558739433548844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411374816740853749.post-67286947153259134882013-10-04T13:47:08.838-04:002013-10-04T13:47:08.838-04:00HAVE YOU VISITED BENJAMIN’S HOPE BEFORE WRITING TH...HAVE YOU VISITED BENJAMIN’S HOPE BEFORE WRITING THIS ARTICLE? <br /><br />The model of EVERY individual with DD living 'independently' is utterly impossible. It is isolating to those with moderate/severe DD and with 24/7 caregivers rotating into an apartment/home to provide care for that single individual, the social interactions and community involvement are LIMITED to say the least. The thought that each person with DD should live independently with care leaves little or no room for social or community interaction and involvement and is an irresponsible use of public funding. All people, regardless of their ability and disability should have interaction and involvement with others. Sharing the joys of family style living, community interaction and involvement is what a model like Benjamin’s Hope is about.<br /><br />The word ‘congregate’ only applies in one way to Benjamin's Hope – and that is there are 4-5 adults with DD per house/home – these are HOMES like no other. "Tour" for yourself at www.benjaminshope.net. These homes are so different than what you imagine – each person has their own condo style unit that provides private bed, bath, and living quarters as well as a large shared space for dining and household activities. It is one of a kind hybrid of independent/dependent living providing social interaction and community involvement at every turn. With great qualified care, stunning housing, property and opportunities for those with DD, it is the best model for adult’s with DD that I have seen. <br /><br />Please do not lump Benjamin’s Hope in a ‘congregate setting model’ – it is misleading! Caring for and loving those with DD should look many different ways based on the needs and challenges of the DD. Not every person does well in identical living settings. Care options should be offered, Benjamin’s Hope model of care should be one. The homes & property will astound you. This is first class care in a first class setting that we should duplicate and model much more for the sake of those that can not speak for themselves and for all the families that so desire this type of care and setting for their adult child with DD. Every family should have the ability to choose what is best for their child and Benjamin's Hope offers a one of a kind choice that Michigan should be proud of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411374816740853749.post-73645700916316255842013-10-01T23:01:12.221-04:002013-10-01T23:01:12.221-04:00Thank you very much for this clear and informative...Thank you very much for this clear and informative article. I will be sharing with many.<br />Cheryl Felakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14632317325596078811noreply@blogger.com