INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES, INC. A CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

In January 2003 I decided to take my life back. I live with a learning disability and struggle with mental illness. Due to my disability I have a hard time reading, writing, budgeting, parenting, and problem solving on my own. During my first marriage, I was physically and emotionally abused. I divorced in 1995 and began raising four children on MFIP benefits and food stamps. With only $50.00 a month child support for my four children, I went back to work as a cook in 2000. It was here that I realized I needed some additional help with money and asked my social worker to hook me up with a money management class. When I decided to use ILICIL services, I was seeking help in many areas. My goals were to work on re-gaining self-esteem after my divorce, better communication with my children, parenting, budgeting to pay bills, boundaries and problem solving along with many other goals. Today, I am checking off those goals! I have learned to set up clear boundaries with my children creating a strong relationship with them and experiencing success in my parenting skills. I work daily on strengthening my problem solving skills to make good decisions to better meet my needs and those of my family. I use the Independent Lifestyles Rep Payee program to assist with budgeting and money management to track my benefits in order to manage them appropriately while organizing and following through with necessary paperwork. I have come to recognize the emotional abuse in my relationships and have worked hard to identify that I have the power to stop the abuse. With determination, I learned about community resources available to me and use them as I am gaining awareness of the symptoms of my mental illness and how to appropriately ask for assistance. I set a goal of receiving my driver’s license to maintain independence and now I am a licensed driver proactive in helping my youngest school-age daughter. I am determined that education is power and with the support of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, I have returned to the St. Cloud Technical College to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Gale “Gale is truly an inspiration and has come very far in her time with Independent Lifestyles” stated her Independent Living Skills Specialist. “Gale is a role model for her children and can support them in making good decisions. Likewise, Gale has also asked for support for her children (ages 13 to 24) so they too are involved with Independent Lifestyles and working towards healthy, independent lives. Gale has taken a leadership role as she directs her life and supports a wholesome environment for her family.”