It’s All About Relationships at Imagine PossibilitiesSee the person, not the disability is the credo of person-centered supports. Over time this means that the participants, staff, family and volunteers of Imagine Possibilities form relationships that help nurture positive results. “Getting to know each participant, listening to the feelings that they want to share,” is crucial to our work, said lead staff Lindsey Jossa. “Everyone has a need for a healing connection, rooted in trust.” Lindsay explained that this trust is the key to making each participant’s day work. It makes everything easier, from transitional times to making independent choices, participating in favored group activities to trying new hobbies and interests. Just taking the time to share with thoughts and feelings opens up their life. Knowing what matters to participants and taking the time to be positive and encouraging gives people experiencing disabilities control over their daily lives. Meaza Barri-Strode has long served as a comfort and support for Annabelle Smith. Annabelle was very nervous about attending Imagine Possibilities at first, but she has blossomed into our resident poet and grown so confident and independent that now she walks to and from IP by herself regularly. Payton Albertson’s encouragement helps Ilse Van Tuyl feel secure and excited enough enough to try new outings. Kayla Guerrero and Elvira Cardoso turn Eddie Serrano’s complicated therapies into a game. Shiva Shahrashoob keeps the HERE program’s participants focused and excited as they learn work skills and contribute to their community. Megan Fitzgerald has made a specialty of helping participants with complex behavioral needs feel comfortable on community outings. This is a tiny slice of the daily round of relationship-based supports at IP. We teach and train each other every day to learn more about each other, care for each other, respect each other and encourage all of us to do our best and value ourselves whatever the outcome. Relationship based supports have several important guidelines: *Listen carefully, not just to what a participant says, but how they say it. At IP many of our participants experience challenges with communication. Our staff are constantly working to master the cues of body language and tones of voice. These subtle differences can show us a participant is not well or is experiencing sadness, depression or happiness so we can cheer them up, give them solace or make sure they can continue their fun. Demonstrate concern and empathy whenever meeting a participants’ needs or offering them an opportunity. If a participant says an outing is “scary” ask them why, talk about ways it might be less scary and suggest that they can always try it another day. Respecting role boundaries is crucial to helping IP’s participants feel supported. Knowing when to remind a participant to bring an issue or feeling to their parents or others in their lives helps remind them they matter and have options to get their needs met. Responding thoughtfully in emotional situations. For many people who attend Imagine Possibilities this is a place where they can feel safe to let their feelings show. Helping our participants learn social skills like patience and trying new ways to take care of themselves is an important role for our team. Understand, regulate and use one’s own feelings. This is the step that binds all the other steps together. Our team are experts at putting their hearts into their work. This requires patience, reflection, humor and more patience as the days go by and our participants try their new ideas and learn to trust that at Imagine Possibilities, their feelings, thoughts and ideas matter. The big idea behind relationship based care is the notion that professional roles can be enhanced by understanding and participating in the web of relationships that we all rely on to live our lives. Life is more fun when you have friends. Helping our participants learn to enjoy and expand the relationships in their lives is the task that makes everything else we do matter. Charity Golf Tournament This JulyOur annual Imagine Possibilities charity golf tournament is coming up fast. Join us on July 20th, 2018, at the Ghost Creek course at Pumpkin Ridge for a day of golf, games, and summer fun, all while helping Imagine Possibilities in our continuing mission to provide quality care and opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Get Involved With IP!We are always looking for ways to get more involved in our communities, and ways for our communities to get more involved with us. If you're looking to donate things like books and art supplies, looking for a rewarding and fun volunteer opportunity, or looking to start your career in caregiving, give us a call! We can be reached at 503-649-6110, Mon-Fri from 9am to 5:30pm. |