A Visit With Jim

When I was asked to write an article for the agency’s blog, a tornado started brewing inside my head. I’m talking about a major twister with an F-5 magnitude. Numerous ideas and questions swirled around. Shall I write about staff in the Supported Community Living program, the kind of work they do, how they stumbled upon their job at the agency, or do I write about the individuals in the program, their experiences, what’s important to them, etc.? As the whirlwind died down, the dust began to settle inside my head, bringing clarity to the task at hand. There are so many extraordinary things about the people supported in the SCL program. This article would give them the perfect opportunity to tell their stories and share bits and pieces of their lives with others. For now, I have decided to focus my article on the individuals.

I recently visited Jim in his apartment to ask him if he would be interested in contributing to my article. He could not have been more pleased to share his story. You see, Jim goes way back with the agency. Thirty-five years to be exact. When Jim was a child, he lived at the Belchertown State School. This is where he met Eunice J. Matson, founder of Matson Community Services. Upon a visit to the Belchertown State School, Eunice noticed how Jim was less than thrilled to be residing in the institution. In 1975, she became his guardian as quickly as possible, took him out of the institution, and brought him home to the children’s community residence in Clinton, MA. Jim shared several fond memories of his years at the Clinton residence. He reminisced about the family-like atmosphere, his trip to Disney World, and the roller skating outing with staff which ended in a pile of bodies on the floor. Janet Badagliacca, a former staff member at the Clinton home and a current Program Director for the SCL program, takes Jim back to Clinton every summer to visit the old hangouts and share memories of the “good old days”.

When Jim graduated high school, he began a new chapter in his life. It was time to move out and start living on his own. In fact, Jim was the first person to leave the residence and move into his own apartment. At first, he shared an apartment in Leominster with three other men. After voicing his desire to live totally by himself, Jim moved into his own apartment and has been living independently for the past 18 years.

I asked Jim how he felt about living on his own. As he answered my question, his face lit up with a big smile and he said, “I like it, I always had a dream about living on my own.” Jim went on to say that he likes the friendships that he has forged with his neighbors and how they all look out for each other, he comes and go as he pleases, watches his T.V. shows without interruptions, and cooks for himself.

During our visit, Jim also spoke fondly of his case manager, Susan, who has been working with him for the past seven years. He said, “She’s a nice lady, I liked her the first time I met her.” He said that she helps him with tasks around the apartment and assists him in accessing resources and opportunities in the community.

Finally, our conversation led us to his current job as a dishwasher at a school in a neighboring town. Jim said that he likes his job and is excited that they are starting to teach him some computer skills.

I hope that in reading this article, you will agree, that Jim’s journey has been an extraordinary one and that he is truly living the life that he has always dreamed of living.

About the Author: Victoria Briggs

Victoria Briggs has 15 years experience working in the human services sector. Her current role is as Director of Specialized Supports which includes the oversight of 70 individuals supported through the Supported Community Living Program and 20 individuals supported through the Elementary and Secondary Education Project. Victoria has a BS from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.