C&C States
Self-Direction Handbook
Data &Darryl Smith
Mr. Darryl Smith is a 35 year old man who is quadriplegic as a result of being shot in the neck at close range fifteen years ago. Darryl is unable to perform any physical task, and he needs help with every activity of daily living. Darryl lives with his brother and personal care worker — his cousin's girlfriend — in an urban neighborhood of Arkansas. Darryl reports the IndependentChoices program "has been straight, I like it!" Darryl shares how important it is for him to be able to select a caregiver who he trusts and is comfortable with. In describing his experiences with personal care prior to IndependentChoices, Darryl states "a lot of those Home Health {workers} you just can't get comfortable with them." He said it is difficult working with agencies that assign workers to the home because the he has to "retrain" the workers if the agency sends someone who is not accustomed to his needs. Darryl stresses that IndependentChoices has allowed him to have a more flexible schedule and trust that his needs will be met by his live-in caregiver. He states the program "gives me more freedom and time to do things" and "it helps you be more independent and more comfortable with the people who work for you." Darryl hopes to remain as a participant of IndependentChoices because "it is a good program."