What we do

How CILS Make a Difference

 

By Timothy Redd
When I first started working at the Memphis Center for Independent Living it was a complete shift from my previous work experience. At first I had a challenging time understanding the independent living philosophy.  I felt like I was not the most effective independent living specialist and that I was not making a difference. I expected that all my consumers would make and accomplish their goals and that would make me successful as an ILS. I felt deflated when I had to close cases and my consumers just checked out altogether. I pondered how CILs make a difference.

Today I am convinced that CILs are vital and necessary more than ever. 

Our core services are information referral, advocacy, independent living skills and transition to community for people living in institutions and young people transitioning to adult life. I have seen these services help people gain greater independence and they have helped me as well.

Advocacy

When I heard about ADAPT I was absolutely hell bent and convinced that I did not want to go on a national action. After a good deal of arm wrangling, not literally and Tim Wheat’s and Allison Donald’s convincing; I went to DC and took part in the 2017 Spring Action. 

I met so many people with disabilities filled with passion for equality it humbling and affirming. I made new friends and met Maxine Waters, one of my political heroes. By the time I made it back to Memphis I dog tired but really wowed by the experience and it’s something that I will never forget.

After days of action the Affordable Care Act was not repealed. That is when I understood the power of advocacy. These days I’m quick to speak out against things that violate the ADA. 

Last month I went to my gym and I noticed some new machines that were blocking the aisle making it impossible for me to through. Immediately I spoke to the director letting him know that the gym was now inaccessible and in violation of the ADA because the machines took away clearance need for a wheelchair. They were relocated.

Independent Living Skills & Information Referral

I am a consumer here and I set a goal to learn to drive. I was referred to TN Vocational Rehabilitation Services and assigned a counselor. My goal was to learn to drive.  On February 5^th 2018 I attained my driver’s license and I have acquired a new independent skill.

Transitions to the Community

Last year I became a part of the peer-to-peer program where I worked as mentor for Nursing Home Transition consumers.  Bobbie Fields and I have met a great deal of people in nursing homes and seen firsthand some of the less than desirable conditions and how people have been stripped of their independence. 

A few months ago we began working an 80 plus year-old senior and just last month she moved into her own apartment. We accompanied here to the store to pick out her furniture for her new place.  She was so happy about beginning this new chapter of life and what sticks with me most about that day is her smile and sheer joy. 

Many times people with disabilities are relegated to expensive nursing homes because they need homemaker services or additional medical care. Today thanks to direct service workers in home care is possible and it helps people live in the community maintaining freedom. Nursing homes to me are nothing me than pretty prisons and I would hate to send a love one there and I hope I never find myself in one.

Accessible Computer Lab

We live in a digital age. The computer has become so much more than a tool to publish documents. We communicate with others, pay bills, connect the global world through social media, and pay bills and shops. I have seen numerous consumers go from not having computer skills to coming in showing off their first purchased laptops.

The truth is that are many barriers that people with disabilities unknowingly to the mainstream society. When a person has newly acquired their disability they are often in denial, angry, afraid, scared, depressed, and left wondering what kind of life can they still have?  

MCIL is a place of affirmation that says just because your body works different you are normal and a person first. Dealing with stigmas associated with disabilities is hard, being a part of a like community of peers is empowering.

The services offered at MCIL are critical when it comes to independent living, especially when our community is not regarded as vital in the scope of mainstream society and so easily is disregarded and falls through the cracks. I have shared how the Memphis Center for Independent Living has helped others and myself reach greater independence. We are here to support you on your path to independence.

Learning to Drive

Most people thought that I couldn’t or shouldn’t

By Timothy Redd
February 5th is a day that I won’t soon forget. It’s the day I became a licensed driver. Learning to drive has been a goal of mine for many years. I really never had anyone to help me and most thought that I couldn’t or shouldn’t. As people with disabilities we all know how limited our life experiences can be because of the lack of good transportation options.

Trina Weathers-Boyce, my TN Vocational Rehabilitation counselor connected me with Nikki Simmons of Driving Independence. Driving Independence is an independently owned Occupational Therapy clinic focusing on driver rehabilitation.

Driving Independence offers driving evaluations, and driver training. They also provide vehicle and equipment fitting. The owner and Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) and Occupational Therapist since 1999, Nikki Simmons has experience in acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient, pediatrics and home health.  She has specialized in spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and geriatrics.

Nikki is a member of The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT), and National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association (NMEDA).

Nikki met me and we went over the driver’s manual. She helped me prepare and took me to take my written exam. We met weekly sometimes twice a week after I got my drivers learner permit.

Nikki assured me that I could drive and that I would be fine. The first day I got on the road it was actually at night. I was terrified but I pressed through my fears and listened to what she said and indeed I learned to drive.

My first attempt at the road test was not the best and I failed. I worked a little more, passed and I got my license.
I have to say I am so proud of myself. I am working now to get my first car and I am so excited because it will finally make me totally independent. Thankfully I am employed and I am able to live on my own. 

As a person with a disability it’s easy to give up on goals and dreams if we don’t have support, because of such low expectations placed on us by society. I really wish I had done this earlier, but, at 37 it has happened for me and I am so ready to go and come as I choose without waiting on a ride.

People have asked me: “What is the rush to get a car?”

My whole life has been filled with waiting and I don’t want to have to wait on someone to come and take me where I want to go. Uber and MATAplus are my main modes of transportation, while I’m thankful for the services they provide I’m even more excited about a new level of freedom.

Driving can make the coolest person anxious because many drivers don’t use signals, run red lights, cut you off in traffic, and many won’t even let you over. I have learned to just pay attention and not follow too closely in order to have a better response time for all the uncertainties on the road.

While it is a little scary it’s also exhilarating. If driving is a goal of yours I would encourage you to reach out to your VR counselor, currently there is a program that will be pay for the driving instructions. To learn more you may also reach out to Nikki Simmons via phone at (901) 734-7472 or email nsimmons@drivingindependence.com.

Become a self-advocate

The Arc Disability Self-Advocacy Brunch

By Timothy Redd
Today I attended the Disability Self-Advocacy Brunch and Discussion Forum presented by The Arc of the Mid-South at the Benjamin Hooks Library.  There were a number of panelists who all echoed the sentiment that although people with disabilities are different we are all the same.  

One of the most captivating speakers for me was Professional Disability Consultant and MCIL Board Member Lou Conley. Ms. Conley share her experience of growing in Mississippi and feeling part of everything thanks to a supportive family. She told how the support changed when she started attending school in Memphis. She was one to not disclose her disability and struggled through school because she read lips.

Lou shared how in 1998 she became the University of Memphis’ first deaf student and overcame the learning barriers at college. Although school was hard she didn’t give up and 14 years later she graduated by taking one class at a time.

After completing her undergraduate degree she did not feel she was living out her purpose. Lou Conley went on to attend Auburn University where she received a second degree on a full scholarship with a 3.5 grade point average. With two degrees Ms. Conley was still not working. She told the audience that she was broke because nobody would give her a chance. Employer’s did not hire her because of disability. Lou told us about being depressed and how she wanted to get rid of labels.

Today; however, Dr. Lou Conley told the group how she remained persistent and got a job,  she has just recently finished a post doctorate degree.

Dr. Conley said MCIL’s Executive Director, Sandi Klink  has been an inspiration  and encouraged Lou to speak out.  

“I want to remove labels,” said Dr. Conley, “and encourage everyone to let people know that you have abilities and are not defined by the word disability.”

Dr. Conley closed with “disability is your possibility.” She encouraged everyone to believe in themselves and believe that what you want is possible. Ms. Coley hopes to change the way people with disabilities are seen in Tennessee and has her heart sat on becoming state representative or senator.

I left the forum encouraged to continue to self-advocate. Many times our community won’t speak up for many reasons. Here at MCIL we teach the best advocacy is self-advocacy.

Self-advocacy is learning how to speak up for yourself, making your own decisions about your own life. Self-advocacy is learning how to get information so that you can understand things that are of interest to you and finding out who will support you in your journey. It is important to know your rights and responsibilities, problem solving, listening and learning to be a good self-advocate. A self-advocate may also reach out to others when you need help and friendship.

It’s important as person with a disability to advocate to make sure you are not left out or overlooked. You have to say what you need to move forward to overcome barriers. MCIL has some tips on being a self-advocate on our website at:

The Big Freeze 2018

Ice isolation in Memphis and how to dine when you cannot get out

By Timothy Redd
Today I am back to work after being out over a week because of the big freeze. Time alone is good but being forced to stay in the house and not being able to get out because of an ice covered ramp gave me cabin fever. Isolation, frustration, agitation, boredom and anger are just a few things I felt.

During the big freeze my heat went out twice, thankfully it was fixed almost immediately in both cases. I called my office several times about salting and clearing my ramp and the walkway. They took their precious time and a maintenance person finally showed up Friday afternoon with a shovel to clear the ice debris after I made a call to the corporate office.

It is imperative that one is prepared for inclement weather. I was not as prepared as I should have been because I really didn’t foresee being in the house over a week. I’m so glad that we live in an age where technology can solve many of the problems isolation can cause.

My issue was a need for food. Thanks to Uber Eats and Instacart I was able to eat well. I’m sure you have heard of Uber Eats, if not let me tell you about it. Uber Eats is a food delivery platform that makes getting great food from your favorite local restaurants as easy as requesting a ride. Uber Eats is an app that connects you with a broad range of local restaurants and food, so you can order from the full menus of your local favorites whenever you want and a driver delivers food piping hot to your door. There is a 5 dollar delivery fee added to the cost of food plus tax which was not bad at all in treacherous winter weather, it allowed me to eat well and stay safe and warm in my home.

While Uber Eats was great it’s quite costly eating out daily; for all practicality purposes I have to tell you about another app that I used. Instacart saves you a trip to the market. Instacart delivers groceries in as little as an hour by connecting you with personal shoppers in your area to shop and deliver groceries from your favorite stores. It allows you to shop from anywhere using your computer, iPhone or Android device.

You can even schedule to have your groceries delivered in as little as an hour, have them delivered later in the day or week, or choose a pickup time, or pick up your groceries at the store. I will be definitely using Instacart again because it’s super convenient and I would suggest you try it out, the first order delivery fee is waived.

Pizza with Planners: Affordable Housing

Housing Trust Funds may help Memphis

By: Timothy Redd

On Tuesday November 14, 2017 I attended Pizza with Planners. The topic was affordable housing. There was a robust conversation about housing disparity and affordable housing in Memphis.

Justin Entzminger from Innovate Memphis walked us through the landscape the challenges Memphis faces. Some key things form the 2017 American Community Survey were:

• Memphis has lost the highest amount of affordable housing nationally.
• There are more renters than homeowners here, 53 % of people here rent which is an 11% increase.  
• Research shows a correlation between housing and poor out comes related to mental and physical health, family stability, neighborhood sustainability
• Low home ownership, low home values, and high vacancy add to high cost burden.

Michael Anderson, Center for Community Change Director told us about how housing trust funds could address and remedy the need for affordable housing. Housing trust funds are distinct funds established by city, county or state governments that receive ongoing dedicated sources of public funding to support the preservation and production of affordable housing. Housing trust funds can increase opportunities for families and individuals to access decent affordable homes. 

Today more than 770 housing trust funds have been established across 47 states contributing a 1.2 billion dollar revenue. Nashville has established one as well as Knoxville and it has helped people attain affordable housing. 

I think this is a great initiative we learned in many cities voters went to the ballot box and voted measured for affordable housing. I left the meeting thinking this could be a push in the right direction but I also was left wondering how we make housing trust funds happen here. To learn more about this initiative check out https://housingtrustfundproject.org/