Housing Myth Busting Community Spotlight: Aldyn A.

Housing Myth Busting Community Spotlight: Aldyn A. 

Families CCAN is proud to be a recipient of the PA Developmental Disabilities Council’s  Housing Myth Busting grant.  The goal of our project is to break down some of the prevalent myths, or falsehoods, about housing for adults with disabilities. 

Along with our partners from Self Advocates United as One (SAU1), we are sharing information about Independent Living for Adults with disabiltiies.  

Over the coming months, we will be sharing a series of Community Spotlight Interviews.  These interviews highlight the stories of individuals with disabiltiiles who are living independently in the community.  

Our next Community Spotlight interviewee is Aldyn A.  She works and lives in Philadelphia, and enjoys spending time with her parents and her sisters.  Aldyn is an excellent chef, and also enjoys walking, yoga, and taking pictures.  She has been with the same employer for over 19 years, and currently works 3 days per week.  Aldyn also shares her knowledge of healthy eating, meal prep, cooking, and kitchen safety as an instructor for Families CCAN’s Peer to Peer workshop.

Aldyn was interviewed by SAU1 team members Gretchen and Elijah.  This interview  has been lightly edited for length, but the words are all her own. 

Where do you live? 

“In the city of Philadelphia, in a studio apartment. . . . It’s easy to move around.”

Do you own your home or rent it?

“I rent it.”

How long have you lived on your own? 

“Four years as of January 2024.” 

Do you have housemates – why or why not?

“No, I live by myself.  I used to have housemates when I was living at school, but we didn’t get along well.  I used to live in a small apartment in New York with roommates when I was in school. I used to live in a group home in New York.”

Who helped you plan your move to your own place?

“My parents, because I graduated and I was doing well at my job, so we took the next step.”  

What are some steps you took before you moved from your family home to get ready to live in your own place?

“I had to make sure that I knew that I would have enough money.  I looked online at different kinds of apartments. . . .  My sister Norrell used to live in this apartment, that’s how I found it. Moving costs a lot.  You have to figure out how to pay the landlord. You also have to think about moving trucks and moving boxes.  You have to map things out around the house.  You have to make sure you inspect the apartment.  You have to set up cable or Wi-Fi, and for some people you have to set up heat, or have someone else help you do that.” 

How are you paying for living in your own place? 

“My parents help.  My mom and dad and I are all on the same lease.  I work to pay for the rent.  I use my PA ABLE account as well, to pay my rent.  I also use Quicken on my computer to help me manage my money.”  

Do you feel you are receiving enough support now that you’re living on your own? 

“Yes, my family and apartment staff and some other people help.  My family comes once a week to help me straighten things up. The maintenance staff comes if I need them to fix something.  I call them a lot.  Last year, suddenly my washing machine didn’t work.  I heard a loud noise, and it didn’t make any other noise after that.  I called my mom and she told me to write to maintenance, and they came and told me that I needed a new washing machine.  And another time, when I first moved in, I was taking a shower and it was very cold because I didn’t have any hot water.  And they had to come and give me a new water heater.”    

What skill do you think has been most important for living on your own?

“I’d say cooking, and you have to know how to eat healthy.”  

What is 1 thing that is wonderful about living in your own place?

“Being independent.  I don’t have to listen to anyone telling me what to do.”  

Do you feel included in your neighborhood?

“Yes, I feel like I am a part of the community.”  

Do you have social spaces in your community that you use or go to frequently, such as coffee shops, a gym, or the library? 

“I go to the gym, and my place—once a month—has events here.  Monthly events.  And sometimes I go to stores in the neighborhood, like the market.  I would like to have someone  I could go places with--someone I could walk around with.  I live near a nice walking trail and I have access to sidewalks.” 

What is 1 thing you know now that you wish you’d known before you moved into your own place?

“I have two answers.  I didn’t know that my job was so close-- I used to take the long way,  but now I take a shortcut. I didn’t know about the fire drills in my apartment until I moved in.  I am getting used to them now, but they still startle me when the alarms go off.  Also, in an apartment, you have to take the trash out and the doors are very heavy. And I didn’t know that I could grow plants in my apartment.  And now I have a lot of plants.”  

Have you always felt so positive about living independently, or was it a little rocky at the beginning? 

“It was a little rocky because before I moved into this place, I went to school and got really depressed because they weren’t helping me. . . .  I talked to my dad, and he thought it would be a good thing for me to move to an apartment. But it was taking a long time, and I saw my sisters, and they were out living on their own.  When I was at school, I lived in New York. I was learning new skills, like computer skills, but it didn’t work out.”   

And now you’re living in Philadelphia, closer to your parents.  Do you think that has contributed to your success?

“Yeah, I think so. . . .  I live near my parents and my sister.  My other sister lives in Maryland.”  

You said that you have had to call maintenance before.  Did they address your concerns quickly?

“Yes.  They came right away, on the same day.  There is an app that you can fill out where you can give them permission to come in, to enter.  It’s easier than calling.  And sometimes if you see them in person, you can ask them to put in a request for you, as well.”

Is transportation easy for you where you live?

“I am learning how to Uber, and I can walk to my job, and every Wednesday I do it by myself now, little step by step.  I walked with my mom first.” 

Do you have any advice for other people with disabilities who are thinking about getting their own place? 

“I’d say get to know the staff where you want to live, and keep a file for all of your paperwork and contracts.  Get to know people at the apartment.  It’s okay to ask for help.  When I first moved, my parents stayed here at night until I got used to it, and they would leave when I said to go.  It’s okay to ask for help.  Some things might be scary, but it will get easier.  And I also had a white noise machine to help me sleep better and relax.  Everyone can do it, no matter whether you have a disability or not.  Always keep trying, and you can do it regardless.”  

This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.  To learn more about the project and how you can get involved, please visit our Housing Myth Busting page.