Achieving a Dream

By Terri Leary

My story began long before I can remember. I had been raised with people with disabilities. I was brought up to believe that everyone is entitled to absolutely everything this world has to offer. When I was young, I didn't realize that's not the way the rest of the world necessarily thought. As time went on and I grew up, I learned about the harsh prejudices that society has against people with disabilities, those people that I had been unknowingly advocating for, for so many years.

How the tables turned—irony at it's best. In 1987, I went to work at the Montana Developmental Center (MDC), one of Montana's two institutions for people with developmental disabilities, located in Boulder, Montana. Still young, enthusiastic, and believing that anything was possible, I started exploring supported employment opportunities for the institution's residents. I had attended every conference, workshop, and training on supported employment that I could. I visited other state institutions to see how they employed their residents. I developed a work program at MDC and was ready to take it "off campus" and into the community. Well needless to say, everyone wasn't ready for this progressive, integrative idea. I was told to do supported employment within the confines of the institution. After all, wouldn't it be the same?

Have you ever relentlessly pursued a goal for a dozen years? Have you ever challenged every rule, tested invisible boundaries, explored every avenue? Have you ever felt that rush of excitement, that feeling that anything is possible, a renewed sense of hope your dream is about to come true? Well, I have been there, done that, and am happy to say that the journey was well worth it.

Two years ago my dream was acknowledged as a realistic possibility. I brushed off my old literature, tried to resurrect my enthusiasm and faith that anything was possible when pursuing things for the good others. I set out to round up all the help I could get. I talked to folks at the state developmental disabilities conferences. I called other agencies. I ordered materials. I signed up all of the members of MDC's Vocational Section for any and all training that was held. We basically became sponges for supported employment information.

I was referred to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) through a contact made at the developmental disabilities conference. Traditionally we had been told that the residents at MDC wouldn't qualify for supported employment. After all, they live in an institution! Institutions that segregate people wanting to integrate into the community . . . hmmm . . . interesting concept. When I made that first call to VR, I wasn't brushed off but met with open ears. It had never been done before, but why not? They agreed to give it a try. It took the better part of a year but we entered into the first-ever Interagency Cooperative Agreement between the Disability Services Division/Vocational Rehabilitation and MDC. Little did I know then, that would be a powerful contact. We have since referred three people to VR and are working together toward the same goal.

Another powerful contact for us was with Rural Institute. We applied and were awarded a grant to be one of three Montana Consumer Controlled Careers (MC3) demonstration sites. This meant that we would have on-site assistance and guidance on our journey. David Hammis from the Rural Institute was our site coordinator and presented us with informative workshops and training. On his first site visit, David held an "Open Space Forum." The overall impression of the 55 MDC staff that attended was positive and the forum helped get everyone "on board" our supported employment project. The forum helped us explore our underlying issues, biases, potential problems as well as brainstorm potential jobs, determine needs of our facility as well as the community, and identify contacts.

During his second site visit, David presented a daylong workshop on natural supports. The third visit David taught our core team, as well as a student from Butte, how to job develop. He hit the streets with us, rolled up his sleeves, and dug right in. We had hands-on experience with the employers in Boulder and actually got a job offer for one the institution's residents. Along the way we learned how to have Career Centered Planning meetings. We have learned all about Business Advisory Councils and plan to kick off Boulder's council in May. We have learned so much and are grateful for the assistance that we have received.

How is supported employment going for us here in Boulder? So far, one man, Todd, is working as a janitor at the Town Hall. His boss is planning to add additional duties to his job description in July, such as having him work in the fire station and with the town's outdoor crew. Todd loves his job and is spreading his optimism to other residents at the institution. He tells them that they can work downtown, too.

A second resident, Debbie, is working with Vocational Rehabilitation, a job coach from Helena Industries, and member's of MDC's Work Skills Section to find a job at a local day care or the public library. She loves kids, has great reading and computer abilities, and hopes to share them with Boulder's children. She is interested in applying for a PASS plan to obtain a computer, children's games, and books to help her provide interesting and educational opportunities for the children.

The local Ace Hardware store has committed to hiring someone this spring, so we are working out details with them at this time. Several other local businesses have expressed interest in hiring this spring, too. Our enthusiasm and excitement here at MDC are spreading throughout the community.

I am very thankful to have been part of starting supported employment for the people who live at MDC. I sincerely believe we are moving in the right direction and making the lives of those we serve better. Sure, there are problems (attitudes, beliefs, transportation, logistics, territorial issues), but we deal with them. No problem outweighs the benefits of our new vision and path. The rewards are many. The tears of joy in the eyes of a man who receives a phone call saying he's been hired. The woman who now holds her head up and walks proudly, confident in her talents and gifts. The tentative question from a man, wondering if he really is good enough for anyone to want to hire? "Yes," I tell him. You are good. You are worthy. You have a right. We'll be here to help you every step of the way.

Terri Leary is a Work Skills Supervisor at the Montana Developmental Center in Boulder, Montana.