Hear directly from self advocates who live in the community as they speak up about institution living versus community living. View their one-minute You Tube videos below.

Special thanks to Jim Corey of WISE for his editing and uploading to You Tube of these powerful videos. Thanks also to all the self-advocates for sharing their stories and their feelings to help others understand how precious our lives are in our communities that so many of us take for granted.

Ramon lived at Interlake and his care provider knew him there and in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uni6uIHcZfU&feature=channel

 

Dale also lived at Interlake and communicates with gestures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nET3ztaO6iE&feature=channel

 

Ricky’s mom shares what life was like for him in an institution and now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvZg6ZccC68

 

Diane adamantly does not want to live in an institution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjCCWeZe90w&feature=channel_page

 

Dorothee lived at Rainier and lives and works in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRo8autNVX0

 

Toby lived at Fircrest and has significant disabilities, but loves people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CydvUea52s&feature=channel_page

 

Jeff owns his own community business called Doc Destruction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPMeMD0TUto

 

Bill and Corina Fale, husband and wife, both live and work in their community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb-aowhLzro

 

Sharon speaks through her communication device about her time in an institution and life now in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAOmvvxmP2g

 

Alan, Sharon’s husband, also speaks through a communication device and even sings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sEnjxXBvkg

 

Steven tells you why job coaching is important.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WlZ04FL3J4

 

KOMO channel 4 did a story that includes Steven.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/41469842.html?video=YHI&t=a

 

John lives in the community, his mom shares the many activities he’s involved in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXpTEPdhF5M

 

Colleen thinks institutions are “icky”, she and her job coach talk about her business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTBjtZm2d8c&feature=channel_page

 

Allen’s dad talks about his significant behaviors and how living in the community has helped him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUfbPc0KzZ4

 

Sherri has challenging medical issues but loves living in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AjFHjAv5QI

 

Kerry has significant medical problems and loves living in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY8TEfWLExM

 

Sam talks about community versus the institution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiQDypr-Pl4

 

Matt has significant medical problems and lives successfully in the community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgVYPToCMLU&feature=channel

 

Mary needs one-to-one care which has been provided in the community since 2005.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjIEaC1d8HE&feature=channel

 

Though George has never lived in an institution, he has friends who have told him how bad it was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWbUQEG2mXg

 

Jean has lived in an institution and didn't like it.  She loves living on her own in a community where she has lots of friends and many people know her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-07qHtwlxvE&feature=channel

 

Mike was institutionalized at 3 years old and told his family was dead, yet Mike, who is now in his 60s, talks to his mom every day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3lBlVpLHGQ

 

Robert lived at Rainier and loves the freedom he has now as he helps advocate for other people with disabilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HerTrzFK5A