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William Makes Choices
Julie Doran says her 61-year old brother William Walsh has found his bliss.
“William is a proper and gentle man,” says Julie of her older sibling. “Now that he is living in an Aspire community home, he feels more peaceful and mellow.”
William grew up in Bellwood and La Grange Park, the oldest of eight children. Throughout his life, he lived part-time and full-time in several state-run facilities. Four years ago, his family searched for a new living situation for William.
“The place where he lived had a volatile atmosphere and was rumored to be closing soon,” says Julie. “We were delighted when we saw the good, safe environment at Aspire's community home in Berkeley. It was a perfect fit.”
The eight men who live at the Berkeley home each have their own room and share in household tasks. For the first time in his life, William helps with meal preparation, makes his bed and does laundry.
“We taught him routines, tasks and schedules and he learned them all quickly,” says Jamie Crandell, Community Residential Services Administrator for five Aspire community homes. “He makes choices he never had the chance to make before, like choosing his own food at the grocery store and deciding to walk on the treadmill. These are things that we take for granted. For William, each of these decisions adds to his independence.”
Although William doesn’t speak, his family can sense by his demeanor that he likes being more self-sufficient.
“The transition went very smoothly,” says Julie. “He could always put things together well. Now he can use those skills at his new home and in his new job.”
William goes to Aspire Industries five days a week where he has a paid job tailored to his abilities. He brings the lunch he packed for himself at home.
While William gets along with the other men in the house, performs well in his job and keeps up with household chores, he mostly likes to relax in his bedroom, listen to music and sit in the living room.
“Sometimes William watches TV with his housemates and other times he enjoys quiet time alone in his bedroom,” says Jamie. “It is his decision to make.”
Julie says she likes to think of this time as her brother's retirement. “It is just wonderful for him.”
