Hello All!
Hello all!
Sorry, it’s been so long. 2024 was full of surprises. One is that I have moved out and am on my own now. That’s right! I moved out of Mom & Dad’s house and into an apartment, (pause for applause). My apartment is located near a downtown community. I’m on the 3rd floor, and my apartment overlooks the front of the building. I picked that view so I could people-watch. It also gives me a nice look at the sunrise & sunset. I’m in a one-bedroom apartment, I have a little loveseat that I got from my Grandparents and a small kitchen table with two chairs. I have a Google T.V. that I received from my Aunt and Nanny. Underneath the T.V., I have a small shelf that holds my PS5, my Brother’s Xbox, and various Bluray DVDs and video games. Then in my bedroom, I have a bed (obviously), a new chest of drawers, and a small nightstand. I have a small walk-in closet and a bathroom. There are several amenities in the building.
Over the past few months, I have been (very) slowly personalizing my space. Putting up a few pictures, and different things on the walls. I also have been going out to places. In November I went to 2 different sports events. I went to a UIC vs Yale basketball game. The next week I went to a Chicago Steel game. It’s high school-age kids. I went with several residents from my apartment complex, and I had a blast. We talked and laughed for a long time. Some of the residents and I have inside jokes thanks to this outing. Whenever I see them we usually start the conversation with one of these inside jokes. The main reason I even chose this location is because I want & need more friends. I’ve been doing just that. I have a lot more friends now than I ever have and can’t wait to make more. I’m very lucky and incredibly grateful for my new apartment. Thank you, Mommy & Dad! I’m finally starting to live my life on my terms, (at least a little bit).
My journey to get here started a long time ago. I’ve been looking for housing since I was 20, and it has taken some time to find the right fit. I toured the facility in August of 2024, and 3 weeks later I signed my lease. In September, I moved in. My story shows why it is so important to start this process early. Waitlists for these types of communities are long, and it takes time for financial resources to build up. I would suggest that parents and people with autism plan for the long term as soon as possible. Our website has many links under the “Family Resources” tab. You can also reach out to our Family Specialist, Mary Butler, for more help.
If you would like to connect with Turning Pointe Autism Foundation’s Family Specialist, you can contact Mary at [email protected] or (630) 615-6036.
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