Testimonials
Lynn:
Last year, I took a living well class that was offered where I work part time. I have cerebral palsy. I have tried to be as active as my 
disability would let me. The one thing that I take pride in is my job, and there was a time when I was just feeling sluggish and did not feel as good as I could. In the Living Well class, we talked about nutrition.
Personally I always thought that chocolate should be in the five basic food groups; I learned how to curb my craving for chocolate. I was not burning the calories that I was taking in. I was never one that liked to exercise, but I thought at that point I had nothing to lose, but the truth is: I did. I am overweight and I am the only one that can change that. I try to exercise every day and no less than three times a week if I can't do it every day. I have lost 15 lbs and I feel great! I am so grateful for the class and what I have learned from it!
Brent:
I deal with two impairments in my life. I was born with an eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. In the summer of 1986 I was involved in an auto accident which left me with a TBI. I was very social and outgoing; after the auto accident I dealt with a lot of depression and barriers to overcome. Going forward in my life has been a battle that I have fought every day.
A year and a half ago I got involved with an Independent Living (IL) center to do a job assessment through the state VR. Working with the IL staff I was introduced to the Living Well with a Disability class. I had learned ways to deal with a lot of my problems, but taking the Living Well class really helped my awareness of ways to better my life.
I see so many opportunities that can be taken from Living Well: setting a meaningful goal, having a positive outlook and noticing how much depression impacts our lives!! I have a passion for eating right and getting exercise; this has helped me so much both emotionally and physically. I see how much the Living Well class can empower us with disabilities that I want to pay it back and let it out!!!!!!
I am now a full time employee at that IL center, spreading the news!!!
Lucy:
"The fellowship associated with Living Well workshops was the most important thing to me. Working toward my goals is hard, but I feel so much better when I do it. I am just grateful to have been in the program."
Heather:
I am 20 years old. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. The Living Well Program helped me remember I am not the only one with a disability.
Brian:
Ten years ago, Brian sustained a severe head injury when a drunk driver smashed into him. Although Brian lived independently when he enrolled in Living Well, he struggled with re-entering the social scene. He wanted to be "buff and date again", but fatigue and pain limited his activities. Brian set out to increase his stamina through fitness, address neck pain, and rekindle his love of life. He identified the need to work with a physical therapist to improve his gait and design an appropriate fitness program.
Brian now exercises regularly at the YMCA, attends church, works part-time at a music store and volunteers several hours a week at a local service agency. He reports that his social life is in full swing.
Doris:
Doris was in her mid-seventies and lived alone. Partial paralysis in her left leg and pain in her knees decreased her mobility and limited her ability to leave her apartment. Most of her energy went to necessary excursions outside her home, such as trips to the grocery store or visits to the doctor's office. Increased isolation and lack of exercise led to both weight gain and depression. The weight gain heightened her pain level; growing depression reduced her desire to socialize, such as attending her bridge club.
On a tip from a friend, Doris entered the Living Well with a Disability workshop. The first session encouraged her to a set a goal; Doris decided she would visit her son's home for the holidays. The visit would require climbing stairs and improvement of her balance to safely make the trip. After learning to turn obstacles into steps toward achieving her goal, Doris went on to take a pain management workshop, a nutrition workshop, and now exercises twice a week at a local fitness center. More importantly, she reached her goal by climbing the steps to her son's house, enabling her to spend the holidays with her family. In Doris' own words, "Living Well is indeed a remarkable program...when you combine quality leaders with the input of other disabled group members an improvement in lifestyle is inevitable."