IF JORJA WERE QUEEN OF GROUP HOME

I live in a group home. it is a county run residential facility for disabled people. I have lived here for three years. this is what i would change.

A: choice. i was placed here after a month in the psych ward. it was just the first one that came up. i would have liked to be able to tour a couple for comparison. i am still interested in what a foster home would be like.

B: food. we are served a lot of processed, frozen foods. it has to do with our food stamp budget. some of it i think is gross. but its what is served to me. i can cook, but i dont get that option, tho i will be able to cook when i move to my new group home. jane, my caregiver, gets sad or offended when i throw out food i dont like. i dont like hot dogs. i eat them every week.

C: interpersonal relationships. jane, our main caregiver, doesnt get along with one of the residents. it makes me sad and upset sometimes. luckily, they like me.

D: rides. i think the group home is supposed to provide me with transportation to my activities. this happens rarely. it would have a big impact on my quality of life to be able to more spontaneously go out in the community. i have been wanting to go buy a sandwich for 3 weeks. i have paratransit services, but even that is somewhat difficult for me to use.

E: i would like to be able to have some storage that wasnt just everything i own in my room. i make this work tho. moving from a house to a room was hard.

F: i would rather live with family, but they are spread out.

G: access. I have a key to my dads house, and my friends house. i dont have a key to my own house tho.

H: maybe someday i can have my own house.

I: i would like a garden and a cat.