Consumer Success Stories

• Consumer was told that her SSI was being discontinued and she was afraid she would lose medical coverage since she was under her mom’s policy as a disabled adult child. Met with her and assisted with SSI appeal as well as Medicaid application as a backup insurance plan. She won the appeal and her SSI was reinstated, and she also enrolled in Medicare for additional medical coverage.
• Natalie W. – In collaboration with other staff, worked with her through many job applications and short term jobs over a period of a few years, and she is now employed at Amazon where she has been for the last few months and is no longer actively seeking employment related services.
• Lorena JJ: I met Lorena at a nursing home. A young lady in her late 30’s feeling depressed, because as she states one day I woke up and my vision was blurry. She then explains the story how she then found herself in a nursing facility blind and away from her children and going through a divorce. Lorena has been such a huge self-advocate and a person who really enjoys life. When Lorena transitioned she was learning to live again without her sight. This was no easy accomplishment. This meant she had to rely on her hearing to ever read a book again or a newspaper; she had to rely on her hearing to know what her children were up to. She has had to re-learn so many things that we take for granted every day. Walking down stairs is now no easy task any longer; we were able to make this a little easier for her by providing a ramp for her to enjoy the sun on her face and the breeze in her hair from her own front yard. Lorena has gained her independence through MFP and case management. She has been set up with mental health community resources for depression when she does have some. But most of all Lorena is a fighter. She set a goal to again be with her children and to transition out of the nursing home. She never gave up hope. Lorena is a success. She is raising two children by herself and going through dialysis and managing PA’s. After two years, Lorena maintains her independence in the community living with her children and enjoying her community.
• Mark: After being in a nursing home for more than 20 years due to a diving accident that resulted in his quadriplegia, Mark was introduced to AIM-Center staff while they were visiting the nursing home he resided in. While meeting with our staff and learning about the Money Follows the Person Program, Mark was excited at the possibility of moving back into the community so he could enjoy his independence once again. Once Mark learned about the criteria, he was excited to become a part of the program and was well on his way to community based living. On December 19th, 2013, Mark moved out of a nursing home and into his own apartment in Naperville Illinois. Since transitioning back into the community Mark is able to take Pace Paratransit & get around his community with ease. Mark enjoys the freedom of going outside every chance he can and in Mark’s own works he is “getting his tan on man.” The good part for Mark living on his own, he is able to fully participate in daily activities of community living on his own terms and no longer has to succumb to the rules, regulations and time schedules of the nursing home environment.
• AF: Consumer created resume for the first time and was excited about it. Still looking for a job.
• JG: After working with his Coordinator, JG applied for and has gained his citizenship to the United States.
• KA: Moved from nursing home to assisted living facility.
• ITAC: 256 Consumers received assistance with amplified phones through the Centers ITAC Program in the past year.