At Living Opportunities, we are in the business of providing support to people with developmental disabilities in all facets of their lives. We help people identify their wants, needs and desires, then design individual supports, customized to ensure that the person will be safe, healthy and happy as he or she pursues their dreams. Everything begins with the person figuring out the answer to one question—“What do I want?” Each person’s answer is unique…
BERENICE
Berenice is a 19-year-old young woman who lives in West Medford with her grandmother and other extended family members. She is a student in the transition program at the Southern Oregon Educational Services District, where she is learning skills that will lead to independence as an adult. Berenice can’t answer the question “What do I want?” without knowing some possibilities, so the educational program is focused on broadening her life experiences. In February of this year Berenice visited a workshop session at The Studio and discovered a new passion—art! She has been painting ever since. Studio Assistant Kathy LaProva says Berenice is a delight to have in the workshop. “She is a real charmer! Always smiling, using ‘please’ & ‘thank-you’. She is open to any suggestion and appreciates your help. She gets really excited when she tries some of Dan’s (Art Director Dan Mish) wild, abstract ideas.” With instruction and guidance, Berenice is now producing some very colorful and expressive paintings. “Me gusta porque yo aprendo cosas nuevas. Es mi primero vez a pintar y ahora me gusta pintar y es muy divertido’ (I like The Studio because I learn new things. This is the first time I have experienced painting and it’s really fun.)
