A New Home for Mark and Mary
By Their Parents
Mary and Mark Schlosser are now home owners, or to put it more accurately, like most of us they now own the mortgage on a home of their own. This happy event for our family members emerged as an answer to Mark and Mary's need for stability, for control of their lives, and for quality, affordable housing. It happened because we have a trusted provider (among other things, they've invested in values-based training) who supported our decision; a good friend, Darlene, who knew what questions to ask; a professional, Jan, from Farmers Home Administration who was positively oriented and who saw barriers as something to be overcome; and because members of the family were not willing to accept solutions that were less than Mark and Mary deserved.
But to backtrack a bit: Mary and Mark, ages thirty-one and twenty-six, are sister and brother. They have developmental disabilities and hearing loss. We, their parents, are the guardians. Their adult journey toward independence began with much letter writing and many phone calls so they might receive daily supports through the Medicaid waiver. Mark was on a waiting list for five years and their first services were in the family home.
The next issue we addressed was Mary's and Mark's interest in community employment. Like most advocates, we were learning that because someone says no is not a good reason to retreat. Mary and Mark needed the Client Assistance Project to achieve their goal. During this time the need for quality case management and comprehensive ISPs also became apparent. The resulting ISPs are supportive in tone. They articulate well a design for positive environments for Mark and Mary. The ISPs are central - and the person-centered values base is crucial - to their work and home.
Three years ago Mary moved from the family home. But at the same time our search for good housemates for Mark, young men with waiver allocations, was proving fruitless. We had often spoken of Mary and Mark living together some day. They get along well. They liked this prospect. So we all decided now was the time. And so we needed a house. We found one we liked. Would our provider buy it? We didn't feel we could afford it. Mary and Mark would buy it!
The decision to buy was a good one. Among other positive themes are these. The house is good quality. Mary and Mark have more stability. There is more "family ownership" in the best sense of the words. There was no down payment. Payments are less than rent. It's a win-win situation for the government. When Mary and Mark are no longer here, the house will certainly revert to the government. At our meeting with Jan at Farmers Home Administration the room was full - a provider representative, real estate agent, our friend Darlene, the case manager, Mark and Mary, and parents. Very simply, Mark and Mary qualified for the loan because they are low income but have a stable financial support. The guideline that states incompetence as a reason for refusal was disregarded because of the Americans with Disability Act.
This journey was not without stress and tears. The negotiation with our county concerning the room and board budget (using Supplemental Security Income and Minnesota Supplemental Assistance) was difficult. In the end, however, the budget was substantially lower because of these efforts - house payments were lower than rent. Medicaid waiver services provide daily support staff. Although an attorney was needed for a court hearing to allow us to enter into a real estate agreement for Mark and Mary as their guardians, it proved to a be a nonthreatening, positive experience.
The house is a three-bedroom rambler in the center of town with a finished basement. It has a large yard, a garden, a basketball hoop in the driveway, and a welcome mat for Mary's cat, Sassy. An agreement to manage the house was signed with our provider. There is a basic budget for furnishing. Decorating was a family effort: an older brother came forward with some tables, grandmother with a mirror, the parents did some painting. A month after moving into their home, Mary and Mark hosted a housewarming for their friends and relatives. They have pride in their home, a real sense of ownership. We are grateful. After six years, Mary's and Mark's purchase of this home continues to be a good decision.