My daughter Tracy has been living at Carole Lane for thirteen years and I've had nothing but the utmost trust that the staff would do everything humanly possible to care for her and make sure that all of her needs were met. They also provide a safe and clean environment for her to interact with other members of the household. Meals that are prepared and served at the home are delicious and, I'm sure, part of a balanced diet that takes in any special requirements of the individual. In closing, I feel that Sherrie and the staff at Carole Lane go out of their way to make every client feel like this is their family home and that they are loved. I look forward to many more years of continued partnership!
Thank You Again

    Raymond is my son and he lives at Matteson Court in Matteson. He has been living there for 12 years and enjoys it.  When I bring him home for weekends, he looks forward to going back on Sunday nights.  Everyone is very friendly there.

   Just writing to tell you how pleased Miles and I are with Matteson Court.  Things seem to be going quite smoothly.  The staff are very pleasant and cooperate.  They all seem to care about the residents.  A trait that is very important. The house itself looks clean and “Homey” Residents seem happy and comfortable.
   We are also pleased with the extra time being taken for craft time. It’s a good time for the residents and gives them time to express themselves.
   Again we are very happy with Don’s “other” home. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely

   We are very pleased with the care and attention our daughter, Becky, receives at Matteson Court.  We appreciate that her doctor and dentist appointments are kept up to date.
   Thank you for the special one on one. Becky feels a closeness to the staff and some of the other residents.
   It feels good to know that Becky lives in a clean and beautifully decorated home.  Her home is kept neat.
   Everyone is very pleasant whenever we call or come to visit.
   Everything is greatly appreciated. Thank You.
Sincerely

     When one is anticipating becoming a parent, you always hope for the best, but never really anticipate how life may change if your child is born with special needs. When it does happen, your original life plan of what family life will be changes. Life's natural progression is that you teach your child to become independent so that one day they will enter into adulthood and become independent adults who take care of themselves. As a parent of two special needs adults, I always shared that same vision for my sons. While I realized they had limitations, what I had wished for them was to live their lives striving for the day when living an independent lifestyle was the goal. From the day I heard that there was a diagnosis of a genetic component which was the cause of both my sons having developmental delays, I always looked for ways to overcome those delays and to find ways that they could prosper and not focus on the things they couldn't do. Life in our household was never about what they couldn't accomplish, but what they could. Some consider those with special needs handicapped, I always viewed them as handicappable. They may have needed an adjustment here or there to allow them to accomplish what they need and want in life, but those adjustments I never viewed as any different as a person who needs glasses to see. If adjusting how someone does something allows them to be able to accomplish what they need to, then finding their way is essential.
     I was always a firm believer that when my sons reached adulthood the natural progression would be to complete school and move on to an independent lifestyle which involved working daily and having social interactions with peers on a regular basis.
While having my children live with me gave me more pleasure than any experience I have ever had, I knew that part of being a good parent to them was to let them move on with their life and living as independently as possible. As with most situations in their lives, it involved adaptations, and not impossibilities.
     After their completion of school programming, looking for the next step in their lives was a lengthy process. It involved researching and visiting many providers to find the one who shared my philosophies on the lifestyle I wanted for my sons. It also had to share the family values that I had instilled on them growing up. I had researched and visited different providers for over a 3 year period. There were times it was discouraging thinking that I would never find the appropriate fit for my sons. It was essential that the placement allow for our family unit with me and their sister to continue the same as when other grown adults move out into the world on their own.
     After visiting many facilities I was becoming discouraged as to ever finding the type of home that I envisioned my sons living in. One reason that was making my search so difficult was the fact that I was a Director of Nursing in a facility that services the DD population. I was very familiar with what a good facility should offer their residents. It was very obvious to me when that wasn't there. It was one of those situations that the minute I walked in the door, I knew this was the one. One of the difficult dilemmas in finding placement for my sons was being able to find placement together. They were welcomed with open arms and every possible accommodation was made to see that they were together. Since they were very little, there was no separating these two brothers. Ravisloe appreciated their needs, and did everything possible to continue the lifestyle that they lived while at home with me. Not only did they not lose their ties to our family, but they gained one. The philosophy of their household is those of family values. The roommates of my sons are not only people that share a house with, but they have become their extended family and have a new home.
     I would have to say one of my life's happiest moments was the day my sons reached their weight goals. Prior to their going to live at Ravisloe they were both in excess of approximately 100 pounds overweight. Often times individuals with special needs tend to live sedentary lifestyles and have poor eating habits. This was true of my sons. I was becoming very concerned of the possible health related issues that might have stemmed from their excessive weights. I am very pleased and proud of their efforts with the guidance of the Ravisloe staff. They were not only placed on a specialized diet, but were taught to live a lifestyle that has since become their way of life. Proper eating habits along with exercise and recreational activities have led to their accomplishments.
     As parents, the natural course of life is that we will precede our children. My greatest hope as well as my greatest fear was their placement and safety after the days when I am gone. I feel as much at ease with the Ravisloe family caring for my sons as I would any family member that I have. What I feared the most in life is now what I treasure the most. To be able to close my eyes at night and know that my sons are at home and safe is the best gift a mother could ask for.