“The IL Movement is strong… It’s the right thing to do.”
Tom learned about independent living from his job at STAVROS. He began there as a driver in 1989, bringing IL Coordinators in wheelchairs to consumer homes. Back in the day, fewer homes were accessible, needing some tricky maneuvers which were wisely discontinued!
Tom talks about the evolution of Independent Living in Massachusetts, where STAVROS and MetroWest Center for Independent Living are now well known to legislators in the State House. People’s attitudes have changed, and moving someone who needs extra help to an institution is no longer the norm.