People Are Buzzing About John’s Joke

This post was sent via an audio email last night by John, who is a resident of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. The residents of that home have access to audio email software, and John has learned how to send the audio emails without assistance from anyone.

Hi, I know it’s kind of late but I’m trying to make an email for you. I have a really good joke. “What did the fly say to the other fly?” It said, “Buzz off.” I’m going to have to find new jokes for next time, but I had to tell you that good one tonight. Talk to you later, bye.

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Dance Party In Berthoud

The residents of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder attended a dance party in the neighboring town of Berthoud over the weekend. Check out the pics!

 

 

 

 

Thanking Our Celebration Sponsors

The Imagine! Celebration is scheduled for tonight. Some of the proceeds from this evening’s event will go toward Imagine!’s SmartHomes. So today we’d like to thank the event’s many sponsors for their support of the use of technology to improve the lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.
 

 

 

Mandy Is Looking Forward To Valentine's Day

This post was sent via an audio email from Mandy, who is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder.

“Hi, this is Mandy. I like Valentine’s Day because of all the neat stuff and all the candy they have out and the conversation hearts that they have. I think Valentine’s Day is just a very important day to people. My mother is a florist, so she works a lot (that day). It’s the biggest holiday of the year for her. She has 18 drivers just out delivering flowers. She’s got 35 people total working for her on Valentine’s Day.”

(NOTE: One of the best parts of this audio email was hearing Mandy’s housemate Chris in the background providing support and saying, “Awesome Mandy” when she finished).

Loren Works Out

SmartHome residents work hard in many ways to improve their lives. Here’s a nice shot of Charles Family SmartHome resident Loren during a physical therapy session. He’s putting in a great effort, and having his favorite tunes playing in the background is a big help!

Gerald Is Planning For His Birthday

This post was provided to us by Gerald, a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, who communicated this message to us by using his Dynavox computer, operating it with his finger switch. Gerald's birthday is still three weeks away but he's already had his Dynavox computer programmed so he can let people know when it is and what he has planned.

“My birthday is February 10. I will be 51 years old. I’m going to dinner with my wife and Whitney at 3 Margaritas.” (Note: Whitney is a counselor at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome).

Rae’s Birthday Hat

This post was sent to us via an audio email from Rae, who is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, Colorado.

“My birthday was January 4th. I went out to eat at IHOP. The next day we had dinner at 3 Margaritas with Donna, Gerald, and Max. I had a big salad and soda pop. The people who work at the restaurant sang happy birthday to me and let me wear a big hat. Yes I did have a good time on my birthday.”

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHome?

Scheduled to tour the Charles Family SmartHome tomorrow: representatives from The Community Life Project, a parent-organized group that has been researching and planning a nonprofit housing cooperative in our area for adults with autism, including those who aren't eligible for developmental disability services or who are on a waiting list, and those who receive services but need more support.

Interested in taking a tour yourself? Click here.

John Hopes For A Great Bronco Season Next Year

The following post was submitted via an audio email from John, who is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, Colorado. The audio emails are part of the technology the SmartHome provides the residents so they can communicate with their friends and families in an easy way.

“Hi, this is your friend John. How was your weekend? I know that the Broncos lost in double overtime but I hope that they’ll change things around and hopefully they’ll have a great, better season again. So, I just want to tell you hi. I’ve been to the I-Max and I saw polar bears during the movie, and I had pizza from Pizza Hut. I went to church on Sunday, and that was about all. Oh, I watched the NFL playoffs again. I’ll talk to you soon, and I’ll send
you a good joke next time. Bye .”

Keeping The SmartHome Neat And Tidy

SmartHome residents take pride in their home and work hard to keep it neat and tidy. Here’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Lana washing the front door window, so visitors have a great first impression when they visit this unique home.

Rebecca Steps Out

This is a picture of Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Rebecca walking therapy dog Raven around the house with her physical therapist Shannon. Rebecca was assessed by Shannon about 2 months ago and it was concluded that Rebecca was not safe to walk without her walker at that time. Since then, she has been working on balance strength and the goal is for her to walk without adaptive equipment for 500 feet. Go Rebecca!

Go Broncos!!!!

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Gerald is ready for some football tomorrow. Go Broncos!!!!!

Lana’s Arm Art

This photo was recently taken after Lana finished her chores at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. She chose to have some temporary henna tattoos on her arms, choosing them from a list of various designs. Lana clearly loves flowers.

Donna’s Determination

Donna, pictured here, has been building up her leg strength by standing. She uses the exercise bar attached to the wall and has two staff members from the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome available to assist her to make sure she is safe.

When these pictures were taken, Donna, both staff members, and two other residents of the SmartHome loudly counted to 20 while Donna stood. During and after each repetition, there was a lot of support and cheering from those who were present. Donna stood about four times while everyone counted to 20, then she requested trying it for 30 seconds, and she did. Alex, one of the SmartHome counselors, told us that Donna has stood while holding onto the exercise bar for up to 50 seconds.

Donna said it is her goal to be able to walk again someday. It will be a long road, but as Donna said in a recent blog post, “Now that I’m here in the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, I can do almost everything.”

Donna is preparing to pull herself up to a standing position with Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome
Residential Counselor Alex on her left and Site Supervisor Chantelle on her right.

Donna celebrates after standing for 20 seconds.

 

 

The Braiding Bunch

Last week, Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome staff member Alex and SmartHome resident Donna were both justifiably pleased that Alex mastered how to braid Donna’s hair. Alex struggled a bit at first, but was persistent and told us that his coworker Whitney provided excellent advice, which was to put a hair tie on Donna’s hair close to her scalp before starting to make the braids, which made the braids nice and tight.

Gerald’s Progress

Gerald, a resident of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, continues to learn by using technology. He recently learned to count to 100 and now he is learning to type using a finger switch, which gives him more freedom and flexibility in his communications. In the photo, Gerald is finishing typing the word "fishing." He chooses a row, then letter by letter, left to right, chooses the correct letter. This picture was taken just before he dropped down one row to successfully choose the "g."

Happy Birthday, Rae!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Rae. Make it a great one, Rae!

Mandy Tie-Dyes

Check out Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Mandy expressing her creativity while creating a tie-dye shirt. This lovely white long sleeve short will have blue spots and a purple “M.” Looking good, Mandy!

Happy New Year From The SmartHome!

A couple of days ago, (from the left, Gerald, Mandy, and Donna), residents at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, posed for this picture to wish all of our Facebook fans, blog followers, and everyone associated with Imagine! a Happy New Year. So, here's to a healthy, productive, and fun 2013.