According to people who know them, Delores and Leroy didn't always get along with other people. Leroy used to live in an institution and then a group home. Delores previously lived in a group home. She had some behavioral problems while she was there. Delores is diagnosed as having both mental retardation and mental health problems. Because of her mental health problems Delores has been hospitalized occasionally. She has periods where things are not going so well, but she also has good times.
Delores and Leroy would probably not be doing so well in many places around the country. They would probably be living in institutions or group homes. If they were left on their own, they would be living in substandard conditions and maybe wandering the streets. They are doing well in Wahoo, however, with support from Region V, a community service agency in the area surrounding Lincoln, Nebraska.
The support Delores and Leroy receive is individualized to meet their needs. Each day a Region V staff person comes in from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. (one staff person on weekdays and another on weekends). The staff person cooks for them, make sure their house and small yard are clean, helps them with budgeting and personal hygiene, and works with them on developing skills.
Delores and Leroy rent their house themselves, although Region V helped them find it. Delores and Leroy's house is not a "homelike setting." It's their home.
When we first met Delores and Leroy in 1985 they had only been married for three years and were having some problems with their marriage. That hardly made them unique, and they received marriage counseling regularly. Now their marriage is going very well and their relationship has grown closer and stronger. They don't need marriage counseling any ore. In 1985 Delores and Leroy were living in a trailer. In 1987 they moved into their little house and are very proud of it.
When asked whether people living in their own homes receiving support from Region V ever kick staff out, a Region V administrator answered: "Yes, that happens." When asked what happens then, she said: "Oh, the staff member will go away for an hour or two, and by the time they go back, the people are sorry about the whole thing and apologize."
Leroy had a hip replacement a few months ago. A Region V administrator said: "We knew he was suffering but we didn't know just how badly till after he had the operation. He is recovering very well and feels much better after the operations."
It has been a very encouraging experience to keep in contact with Delores and Leroy and see the positive changes in their lives and how their lives have improved over the years since they moved out of the group homes. We agree with the administrator who said, "Things have never been better for Leroy and Delores." There are problems, but they are dealt with as they come up, by giving them extra support or by making changes in the support they get. Delores and Leroy are a part of the problem-solving process, and have responsibility for their lives together.
Delores and Leroy are indeed doing well in Wahoo. They have something that too few people with mental retardation see to have. They are living with dignity.