Cascade Connections Supported Living (East Lynden)
Meet Jim, a thriving member of our Supported Living community in East Lynden! Jim has a great sense of humor and a zest for meeting new people. Cascade Connections marketing staff recently interviewed Jim and his care team to hear about his progress since joining Supported Living. Jim’s proud team assisted him in discussing his many successes, which include getting out in the community, meeting new people, job hunting, exercising, and gaining independence in various daily living activities.
During the two years prior to receiving Supported Living services, Jim was living a less social life due to the pandemic. He lived with his parents and received Home Care services before making the switch to Supported Living and moving in with his housemates, Kevin and Corey, in November of 2022.
As pandemic restrictions continued to lift, Jim’s supported living staff began encouraging Jim to participate in community activities. At first, going out into the community was challenging for Jim. He had gotten used to his at-home routines and activities such as watching sports, eating his favorite foods, looking at comic books, and listening to Western musicians like Johnny Cash and Keith Urban.
However, although Jim dislikes the cold and can be a homebody at times, he also has a really fun, social side. His Supported Living care team has been assisting him in getting out and about and meeting new people. Over the last year or so, Jim has gone bowling, gone out to watch his roommates’ band, and participated in various outings with friends at the Max Higbee Center. Additionally, Jim has taken many excursions to his favorite places, such as Dollar Tree and the Ruckus Room, where he loves to play Dance Dance Revolution!
Jim has also been exploring possible employment options with his Work Opportunities job coach, Thomas. On Saturdays, Jim and Thomas often walk around downtown Lynden looking for fun things to do and cool places to work. Jim already volunteers in the late afternoon on Mondays at the Lynden Museum, where he greets museum patrons and points them in the right direction.
Jim has talked about also pursuing employment at places like Reset Games or the Arcade because he loves video games (especially Sonic & Knuckles and Dragon Ball II!). Jim and Thomas usually make a stop at the Lynden Library, another favorite spot of Jim’s, during their Saturday forays into downtown Lynden.
These walks around town help Jim with his exercise goals as well. He also goes for walks at local parks, and last year, Jim, his roommate Kevin, and his neighbor Kem did some bike riding around their neighborhood in East Lynden. Some evenings, Jim, Kevin, and their neighbor James head over to Bender Fields with staff to shoot some hoops. On unfavorable weather days, Jim sometimes walks at the mall because he dislikes rain and snow.
Jim has really bonded with his care team, which includes Rita, Michael, Zack, Cheryl, and Senna. Jim likes drawing pictures with his staff, and many of them hang on his wall. Jim is very curious about other people and their families, and he loves hanging out with Rita’s partner, Joe, whenever Joe stops by to fix something! Jim also relishes playing video games with staff. When Jim caught COVID back in 2022, he spent 60 straight hours with his staff! During Jim’s recent interview, a caregiver commented, “Jim and I got to know each other really well – didn’t we Jim?”
Jim also has gained more skills and independence around the house during his time in Supported Living. The stairs used to be a challenge for Jim, but he now navigates them confidently. Jim picks out his clothes, opens doors for himself, and makes sure car doors are locked for safety! He has been working on his meal-prep skills as well. At meal times, he sets the table, gets food out of the fridge, and puts it on a plate.
Jim’s family is pleased to see him flourishing in a Supported Living environment. Jim is very beloved by his parents, Maureen and Robert, his sisters, Katie and Erin, and his nephew and niece, and he always looks forward to visits with his family.
Maureen tells us that Jim’s story has been a unique one from the beginning, since he has a rare chromosome-related disability. Jim received a lifesaving liver transplant at Children’s Hospital in Seattle at age three, and various other physical issues appeared as time went on. However, it wasn’t until twenty years later that Jim finally got a clear diagnosis: Smith-Magenis Syndrome, a developmental disability associated with the 17th chromosome.
Jim’s mother, Maureen, says that “the most difficult part of Jim’s early life was not knowing what he had” and that “learning about what my son lives with was enlightening!” She is grateful to Jim’s magnificent medical team, as well as to Cascade Connections. Our East Lynden team told us that Maureen sometimes even bakes muffins for staff to show her appreciation for their support of Jim!
Maureen observes that “Jim is aware that he’s an adult, with loving adults to care for him. He loves his peers and is absolutely escalated with meeting new staff!” She adds, “I feel incredibly thankful for each staff person that works with my son. We’ve worked so hard to find a good fit for him. His needs are challenging at times. It takes time to learn how he will communicate with you.” Smith-Magenis Syndrome comes with anxiety, but Maureen reports: “Jim’s staff are learning to redirect and offer choice when those moments arrive. After our visits to Jim’s home, or when we see him in town with his friends at Max Higbee, I do feel comforted knowing he is being cared for.”
Maureen and Robert are glad to have Jim nearby while he grows in independence and they enjoy their new stage of life as grandparents to his sisters’ children. According to Maureen, “Our family remains grateful for knowing that Jim lives close to us, that he is cared for and becoming the best that he can be. He loves where he is, and when we say goodbye after a visit, he is ready for me to go home, too.” When asked about her hopes for Jim’s future, Maureen replied: “I am hopeful that he will be with Cascade as long as he can.”
Needless to say, Cascade Connections is, in turn, very grateful that we get to support Jim! We look forward to watching him continue to pursue his goals, develop new skills, and build relationships for many years to come.