Project gives people with disabilities a chance to follow their dreams

Most parents spend their lives making sure their children receive the best of everything, from education to health care. Usually, when children reach adulthood, they’re expected to take care of most of those things on their own, although parental concern doesn’t go away.

For parents of adults with developmental disabilities, however, the responsibility and worry often continues through their offspring’s whole life.

For Ben and Pam Wald, their 32-year-old daughter Bonnie is both a source of pride and the primary concern of their life. Ben is 70 and Pam is almost 62, and currently, Bonnie still lives at home. Up until recently, they worried what would happen to their daughter if they were suddenly unable to care for her.

Now, Bonnie is going to have a chance to participate in a pioneering new project in Corvallis that incorporates adults with disabilities into a co-housing program. Integration into a community setting not primarily aimed at adults with special needs is a new kind of approach, but one Bonnie’s parents believe will make a huge difference in her life.

Bonnie has Cri du Chat syndrome, translated into “cry of the cat,” because people with the disorder often have misshapen vocal chords, and mew like cats when they are infants. Although she is highly functional for a person with the disorder, Bonnie needs constant care and monitoring.

The Walds say Bonnie was lucky. Born in 1974, she directly benefited from the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which forced schools across the country to offer free and appropriate access to differently-abled students.

Although this meant Bonnie was often in a specialized classroom with other children with special needs, she was exposed to a public school setting, and occasionally had the chance to participate in classrooms with higher functioning kids.

This was a far cry from the institutionalized education that Pam Wald, a former teacher, experienced in the 1960s when she was caring for children with Down syndrome. Later, as a special education instructor, she saw formerly institutionalized children experiencing a playground for the first time.

“That was the gift of the (Disabilities Education) Act,” she said.

After her parents helped establish an after-school program at The Arc of Benton County, Bonnie began attending the program rather than sitting at home with a babysitter, which helped her develop socialization skills. Her parents also worked on getting her to interact with others, and now one of her primary delights is meeting new people.

This ability to socialize will be helpful as Bonnie prepares for a new phase of her life, a home in the new CoHo Cohousing project in south Corvallis.

The Walds have raised enough money to purchase a home in the community, which is being built off Crystal Lake Drive, and three adults with developmental disabilities, including Bonnie, will live in the home, along with a 24-hour caregiver. The adults all participate in Home Life, a local organization serving the developmentally disabled in Benton County.

They’ll share in all aspects of CoHo life, from eating meals at the community house to participating in social events, and taking on the responsibilities of homeowners in a communal living setting.

The Walds believe integration like this is a way for the broader community to learn more about adults with special needs, and to break down stereotypes and reduce fear and awkwardness.

Bonnie is currently in a transitional program at Home Life, where she’s being prepared for the change from living with her parents to living in her own home. Annie Canavan is the assistant manager for the self-directed support program at Home Life, which oversees Bonnie’s progress.

“We’re working with her to help her get used to the idea of living outside of mom and dad’s home,” Canavan said.

That includes learning techniques to get along with other people, and establishing what is appropriate behavior.

Because Bonnie is most comfortable with routine, she’s learning how to become self-directed and to conduct her routine activities without the help of her parents.

Judy Hecht with CoHo Housing said she believes CoHo is the first co-housing project in the nation to consciously include adults with developmental disabilities in its plan.

“Having a diverse community is in our vision and values statement,” Hecht said. “From the beginning, that was part of our vision.”

Hecht said diversity included age, income and race, as well as physical diversity, and said the CoHo community was delighted to include a Home Life house in its project.

Davy Zaback, executive director of Home Life, said the project is a dream come true for him and others who have advocated for a more inclusive community.

“We’ve never seen it happen for real,” he said about earlier efforts at integration. “But CoHo is exactly that.”

CoHo gives Bonnie’s parents comfort about their daughter’s future.

“When we’re older and no longer on this planet, Bonnie will be living in a community,” Ben said. “Her neighbors will know her and love her.”

At a glance

CoHo Cohousing is on Crystal Lake Drive in south Corvallis. Two homes are still available for sale. Those homes are designated for sale to those who are at or below 80 percent of Benton County’s median income.

For more information on CoHo, go to http://www.cohousing-corvallis.com or send e-mail to info@cohousing-corvallis.com. Building has begun, and residents are expected to move in during September.