Post by Jackie on May 14, 2005 4:53:14 GMT -5
Since Tricia asked in my post about Austin Tex....I will tell you here briefly about Ems job experience....and what has transpired.
A year ago she moved to Seabrook/Houston to take a job with a friend I have had for years in the advocacy field. Her job was to be "house manager" for my friend's 4 story Georgian Revival mansion. She lived on the fourth floor...and over the period of a week cleaned the whole place. She also answered phones, took deliveries, dealth with the copious amts of mail and assorted other chores. Her job was overseen by a case manager/job coach that she hired and was broken down into steps. She had a book that is very much like the one a cleaning team would use if they cleaned your home with each room broken down into separate tasks.
It was not an easy job...but Emily loves to clean so it was right up her alley. Her job also entailed care of the two dogs ...this was probably her favorite part and one of the dogs slept in her room.
Her life there also included daily gym time at a facility similar to Curves...which she accessed with the help of a woman from the neighborhood...and she bowled on a regular team on the weekends...and attended with yet another woman, a local church.
She did well but everyone started noticing a decline in performance about this March. She was given several ultimatums about improvement...and for whatever reasons would improve...then decline again.
It was also about this time that her case manager, Kim, spoke to me and said she thought it might be time to look beyond this job for Emily because since this is mostly a NASA and Houston bedroom community...Em was pretty isolated socially....no public transportation, etc. So...we started exploring with Em what might come next. Turns out she has no desire to come back home and live with her parents (at 25...imagine that...LOL). Austin and her oldest sister Katie were her first choice and ...it WAS an option. Katie is delighted to add her for the time being to her family of 4. Em will spend the summer taking care of Katies home and helping with the babysitting.
Then hopefully toward end of summer we will hire another job specialist ...find her a job...and think then about identifying a roommate and moving toward more independent living. Lots to accomplish...but we are excited and so is she.
The job was a tremendous experience and she showed so much courage in being able to move 700 miles away and live and work in a new environment.
My only fear in all of this is wt gain....she has managed the last year and a half to lose 70 lbs....still has a way to go....and I have told her....5 lbs gain....and you are back home...dear one....LOL.
So...actually she moves out today ....and I hope you all keep her in your prayers...that she has another year equal to this one.
Jackie mom to Emily 25 ...on her way to yet another new chapter in her life.
A year ago she moved to Seabrook/Houston to take a job with a friend I have had for years in the advocacy field. Her job was to be "house manager" for my friend's 4 story Georgian Revival mansion. She lived on the fourth floor...and over the period of a week cleaned the whole place. She also answered phones, took deliveries, dealth with the copious amts of mail and assorted other chores. Her job was overseen by a case manager/job coach that she hired and was broken down into steps. She had a book that is very much like the one a cleaning team would use if they cleaned your home with each room broken down into separate tasks.
It was not an easy job...but Emily loves to clean so it was right up her alley. Her job also entailed care of the two dogs ...this was probably her favorite part and one of the dogs slept in her room.
Her life there also included daily gym time at a facility similar to Curves...which she accessed with the help of a woman from the neighborhood...and she bowled on a regular team on the weekends...and attended with yet another woman, a local church.
She did well but everyone started noticing a decline in performance about this March. She was given several ultimatums about improvement...and for whatever reasons would improve...then decline again.
It was also about this time that her case manager, Kim, spoke to me and said she thought it might be time to look beyond this job for Emily because since this is mostly a NASA and Houston bedroom community...Em was pretty isolated socially....no public transportation, etc. So...we started exploring with Em what might come next. Turns out she has no desire to come back home and live with her parents (at 25...imagine that...LOL). Austin and her oldest sister Katie were her first choice and ...it WAS an option. Katie is delighted to add her for the time being to her family of 4. Em will spend the summer taking care of Katies home and helping with the babysitting.
Then hopefully toward end of summer we will hire another job specialist ...find her a job...and think then about identifying a roommate and moving toward more independent living. Lots to accomplish...but we are excited and so is she.
The job was a tremendous experience and she showed so much courage in being able to move 700 miles away and live and work in a new environment.
My only fear in all of this is wt gain....she has managed the last year and a half to lose 70 lbs....still has a way to go....and I have told her....5 lbs gain....and you are back home...dear one....LOL.
So...actually she moves out today ....and I hope you all keep her in your prayers...that she has another year equal to this one.
Jackie mom to Emily 25 ...on her way to yet another new chapter in her life.
]
&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
