| |
The Independence House
Background
We have begun this journey after experiencing what life can be like with independence. Our son Ben attended and has since graduated from Edinboro College in Pennsylvania. Edinboro is a unique community. There are approximately 40 students in wheelchairs living on campus. Personal care aides are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. There is a wheelchair bus that takes the students to classes, Wal-mart, the mall. Wheelchair students regularly participate in normal life activities like bowling, lunch at McDonald's, and other basic socialization. There is a wheelchair soccer team–-and they have traveled to Arizona for national games.
This is just a small picture of independent life in a wheelchair. It is possible–-Edinboro has made it happen. If it is possbile in Edinboro - why not here?
It is our goal to establish an environment like this in the Buffalo area. With our first house realized, we continue to work on the larger goal - meeting the housing needs of many on wait lists.
We are currently working with several families and People Inc. to establish housing for physically handicapped individuals. It was our goal to have the state approved house up and running in summer, 2007. The Opts proposal was sent to the state on June 13, 2005, and approved on February 2006. We are currently still trying to find land.
Current Status
-- First Independence House Realized --
Fasttrack!
In June of 2007 The Independece Foundation suffered great losses. By now, half of the young men who planned to live in The Independence House had passed away waiting for thier dreams to be realized. We couldn't wait any longer. We searched for a ranch house that met our needs and could be quickly modified. In June we put in a purchase offer, in July we closed, and in August three young adults were moving in! Thank you for the heroic efforts from our Foundation volunteers, First Niagara Bank, Uncle Bob's Storage, Inergex, and our contractor!
For more information, click here
-- 2 more Independence Houses still in planning stages --
The Independence House has been approved!
The next step is to find land to build the house on! If you would like to be placed on the waiting list for The Independence House, please call Chris Muller at 716-685-3976.
History
September 2007 |
After 9 months of land under contract - and several complications - we are still waiting for a land option. |
December 29, 2006 |
First meeting with architect to design The Independence House |
September 26, 2006 |
Signed contracts back - now we need to satisfy contingencies - and close |
August 24, 2006 |
Land identified - purchase contracts for land sent out |
Feb - August |
Actively searching for land |
February 24, 2006 |
Received a letter from Albany granting approval to build the Independence House. |
February 13, 2006 |
The Albany review team came to Buffalo to talk with us about our proposal. |
January 18, 2006 |
The Self Advocates report was turned into the state. We are currently awaiting either questions or an approval from the state. |
January 12, 2006 |
Senator Dale Volker sent a letter of support to Albany. |
View entire history |
|
