Today, in recognition of the countless achievements and contributions of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), we want to share an update on the heart-warming success story of Lori B. Lori has overcome significant challenges—health-related and otherwise—in order to live her best life, every day.

Lori came to UCP in November 2019 after being told by her doctor that if she didn’t make some changes, she could be gone within six months. Unhappy with her living situation at the time, she followed the suggestion of her Supports Coordinator and moved into a UCP two-person home in Lewistown. Plagued by chronic health ailments, Lori experienced frequent hospitalizations throughout her adult life.

Fortunately, since her arrival at UCP, one thing she has had on her side is a caring, committed cross-functional support team who has encouraged her to make some lifestyle changes. Lori had more than a half dozen different diagnoses (including congestive heart failure, Type II diabetes, COPD and asthma, along with mild intellectual disabilities). She also had a significant issue with water retention, which caused her weight to balloon. Clearly, she and her team had their work cut out for them. With their support and guidance, Lori made remarkable progress on three primary goals: getting her fluid retention under control, losing weight, and generally getting healthier.

    • Her diabetes is being controlled by diet
    • Her blood pressure medication has been cut by half
    • Her wheezing and breathing difficulties are non-existent
    • She was previously on 4 inhalers; she now uses none.
    • She went from wearing a size 5x dress to a size 2X, comfortably
    • She went from 357 pounds to 244.

Having experienced so much success in tackling her health issues, Lori was determined to pursue another major life goal. She wanted to live on her own. The UCP team rallied around her and on April 15th of last year, Lori moved into a one-person UCP home (though she was quick to point out she shares her home with a fish she named Oreo and a snail named Oscar). Through the use of technology/remote monitoring, and the ongoing, unwavering assistance of her UCP Support Team (including Residential Nurse Dawn Given, Residential and Clinical Director Violet Mwangi, Manager Cassie Knepp, and Supervisor Kim Wray, along with Home and Community Supervisor Katie Laird and her staff), Lori is now coming up on one year of living her life without limits.

Lori checks in with Nurse Dawn regularly
Katie and Lori chat
Lori points at some of her artwork

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori plays Monopoly with her neighbor, Jerry

Case in point, Lori has a large whiteboard hanging on the wall of her dining room that highlights two key statistics she has tracked since living on her own: It’s been 129 days since she was last hospitalized… and 109 days without a visit to the ER! Lori says she feels better all-around which in turn, results in a more positive attitude and demeanor. Or as Katie put it: “She’s happier.” Lori loves decorating her home for the holidays and is looking forward to planting a garden out front this spring. She enjoys relaxing in her home watching TV, doing crafts, or playing games. She goes to Bingo weekly and is a yard sale fanatic.

Lori with two of her fellow UCP Dance Club members, Alesia and Barb

She is also a founding member and active participant in the “UCP Dance Club.” Lori and four of her friends from UCP’s CPS program gather each Thursday evening, have dinner together and then do “Chair Yoga.” They have a weekly weigh-in, with the winner being able to select the meal for the following week. Lori was proud to share that she won the weigh-in two weeks in a row!

Speaking of weight, at the time of this interview, Lori was down another 10 pounds.