Happy Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! We are very excited to share five new life stories with you this month! First up, we have Jill!
Hi! My name is Jill. I grew up in Channahon with my mom, dad and brother. Jason bought me a white pet rabbit with big ears and big feet and we named him Jackrabbit. I used to visit my grandpa Jack and Grandma Rose in Kentucky. They lived on a farm and we used to visit there when we were little.
I started at Illinois Valley Industries (IVI) in 1999. I come to the day program. I volunteer, I learn ASL, I help out with my friends, I help staff, I like to sign up to go places in Morris. I like to go to lunch with the staff. I want to go to the animal shelter soon. The staff helps me with goals to achieve. I want to give credit to the staff they are always doing a good job helping us. I get paid to clean the lunchroom. Other jobs I have worked on at IVI are painting barricades, pens and clips, calendar corners, stuffing calendars, helping stuff the bags for Morris Cruise Night. I want different jobs at IVI to change it up. I have also volunteered at some different places like We Care helping pack food in boxes, Library- replacing old DVD and books, and I stuffed bags at IVI for a 5K Race.
I live at Narvick House and I have one roommate. I have to check my apartment, clean, make my bed, mop, sweep, clean the counters, and vacuum. Sometimes I cook with my roommate. Sometimes I have trouble with the stove or oven and the staff helps me because I don’t want to burn myself. One time I burned my burgers! Staff have helped me learn how to budget, fill out a grocery list and menu, look up prices, and learn how to cook. I like it when we have potlucks.
Jill’s mother, Jackie, would like everyone to know that initially, “Jill didn't want to visit Narvick House. She wanted to live "at home", meaning she wanted to live at our house. LOL! We talked her into visiting Narvick House for a weekend, and she loved the experience. When an opening came up at Narvick House, I honestly hesitated because she could microwave food like crazy, but didn't really cook. I was assured that she would be taught those things and more. We wanted Jill to be independent, to have a life of her own. Jill is very thoughtful; she always wants to bring a treat to any kind of party that IVI or Narvick House is having. She loves to bake cakes for her friend's birthdays! Jill loves her family and family is important to us. She loves to travel to Arizona to see our extended family. The best for me, is having conversations while I take her to some of her appointments. We feel that our family and friends are more accepting of individuals who are different from what we consider the “norm” to be. I want people to know that Jill is visually impaired, loves doing arts and crafts, loves having our dog, Nala, sleep with her in bed when she is home. We are proud of Jill, she is very outgoing, funny, and helpful.”
