ERINVILLE

This video was created to introduce potential roommates/caregivers

to Erin and her community.

Part 1        Part 2        Part 3

​

This booklet was created to assist caregivers

with their role with Erin and her community.

The Dream

​

As with all things in life, the “Dream” is an ever changing dynamic process. It sets a goal for Erin’s life but by no means is definitive; there is plenty of room for growth and change. Every person in Erin’s life is a part of this dream and enriches it’s potential. Thank you. By creating an environment with her home that is healthy and happy we all will benefit in an improved quality of life.

​

The home, health, and happiness of Erin are the prime focuses of the dream. “There’s No Place Like Home” stands for more than just comfort. It’s the security, joy, love, and comfort that makes a home such a special place. To be healthy is more than just a physical aspect, it extends to the mind, body, and spirit. A balanced health creates the foundation for a productive life. True happiness is contentment in all situations. Life is full of obstacles and changes, many that we have no control over, but through the support of our friends and the earnest desire for a happy lifestyle we can overcome all trials and tribulations.

​

1)  Erin’s Home. Erin is very fortunate to be in a position where she owns a home that was built to adapt to the environment she desires and needs. The home too is an ever-changing process and will continue to modify to meet her needs and wants. Her home reflects her personality and interests such as the fish tank, mirrors, a waterfall, and a hot tub. More importantly than the “things” in her home are the people. Erin’s home has been designed to accommodate gatherings amongst friends and family of the community. Community dinners, book groups, parties, house concerts, bible studies, and children’s programs are among some of the different events her house hosts. Overall the house provides a center for networking amongst the community. It is able to house roommates that may or may not be involved in her care but are involved in the atmosphere and care of the house. A roommate is a friend and a friend is one who nurtures, cares, accepts, and encourages another. Everyone who enters the house, enters the dream… the dream of Erin’s home being a sanctuary and haven for all.

​

2)  Erin’s Health. This is the most important however the least controllable. Her health is the foundation of her happiness and her life is the foundation of the Erinville Home. Good news is there are a few key components that can promote the most possible healthy lifestyle. The people, resources, communication, and balance in her life.

​

• The people who care for Erin are of the utmost importance. Erin reflects the energy she is given and a caregiver whose energy is filled with love and devotion will greatly enhance Erin’s health. By loving Erin, you learn Erin. You learn to read her, and learn how to help her. By designing her home in a neighborhood with many of her caregivers we have mixed the roles of neighbor, friend, roommate, and caregiver and created a dynamic community that can support and love Erin and each other.

• Expertise and Resources are also a critical component to Erin’s health. By having a medical manager who knows her and her history we can properly assess current and potential problems and provide the caregivers with assistance and guidance. Erin deserves and will have the best experts in the field to meet her medical and physical needs.

• Communication is vital to keeping her healthy so that her needs are taken care of and that nothing “slips through the cracks”. We in vision a system that provides for optimum communication and cooperation among all those who care for Erin.

• Balance is crucial. Too much or too little is never a good thing. The attitude of “fixing” Erin does not accept her as the special person she is., and creates an energy of imperfection striving to change the unchangeable. Erin will feel this immediately and will not benefit from it. The goal is to promote the most healthy and active lifestyle and embrace what that lifestyle has to teach us.

​

3)  Erin’s Happiness. Erin is one of the happiest people I know. Her personality is one of happiness, joy, peace and serenity and we want to do everything possible to continue this. She brings out the best in people and has the gift of reaching others and sharing some of their inner contentment with them as well as bringing it out of them. She is a powerful teacher in the simplistic contentment of life. Contributing factors to her happiness are physical comfort, people who love her and who she loves (although she loves everyone), friends, activities, making a contribution, being valued, water, balloons, nature, music, and just waking to the morning of a new day. We have tried to incorporate much of this into the design and structure of her home and community. It all boils down to the people in Erin’s life. People who are sensitive to her needs, are creative in problem solving, able to see and accept the gifts that Erin offers, and who are happy themselves and can share that with Erin. Our dream is for a group of people who get along, actively want to be a part of Erin’s life, and can bring the chitchat, give and take, humor, and cooperation into her home. They would know Erin well and be able to support her in ways that make sense, in natural, warm and human interactions. We feel that by having a large group of people who assist Erin in our dreams for her are possible. Erin has many needs, interests, abilities, and desires. No one person can meet all these areas but by being a part of many people’s lives, Erin can grow and learn and love and expand her own happiness.

​

Thank you all for being a part of the dream!