The Promise of Adulthood

Just like all people, individuals with disabilities want to live a full and rewarding life with opportunities for personal development; for control and choices about how they spend their time; and for participation in a range of age-appropriate life activities with people they like.

Person-centered planning helps individuals with disabilities achive this improved quality of life.

Every person, regardless of the severity of disability, has the ability to grow and develop.  Redwood maximizes ability through services to promote full participation in family and community life.

New resources available to Redwood through Kentucky Medicaid Michelle P Waiver are allowing adults with disabilities to experience a full, rich life including community outings and interaction with the world at large, directly in keeping with Redwood’s mission.

Bowen is just one of the many adults benefiting from Redwood’s Community Living Supports program.  This service focuses on individualized, one-on-one community-based trianing centered on the individual’s goals, choices, and priorities to strengthen personal competencies, social integration, and community connectedness.  

While Bowen has cerebral palsy, this disability does not define him.  He is a bright guy with a keen sense of humor and an avid interest in the same types of things other people of his age enjoy, such as current events, music, hanging out at coffee shops, etc.

One of Bowen’s dreams was to volunteer at his high school.  Access to Redwood’s Community Living Supports (CLS) program made this a reality.  Through this program, and with the support of his CLS mentor and now close friend, Bowen also spent an evening hearing some of his avorite music at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club.

Bowen’s mother said, “For the first time in his life, Bowen is able to go out with a friend, not his mom and dad or as one of a big group.  Just Bowen and a friend!  This sounds like such a normal, everyday occurrence for all of us, but, for Bowen, these outings are a first.  A wonderful independent first!”

Just like you and me, Bowen deserves the promise of adulthood.  With Redwood’s help, he is experiencing friendship and community connectedness.  Just like you and me, he is embracing the world by participating in and enjoying enriching activities and benefits that comes with his age.

For more information about our Community Living Supports program, contact our Director of Adult Independence at (859) 331-0880.