Even though Robb has been away at Camp Huntington for the past couple of weeks, he has remained in my foremost thoughts as I begin the pre-sale campaign for my book: Ability Innovation.
I began working on the book at the beginning of this year through New Degree Press with the goal of educating myself and others about different approaches to enhancing the group housing experience. As I discussed in my post on Pathfinder Village, thinking about my brother's adult life has been stressful and scary as it often seems quality housing options are few and far between. I was determined to take action, and now my book about innovation in housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be published December 2019! (If you are interested in pre-ordering a copy and/or spreading the word visit the campaign page here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ability-innovation-by-astri-doub/x/22154415?create_edit=true#/!)
Writing this book, I have gotten to talk to leading experts in disability housing, and it has been so uplifting to learn about all of the progress being made in the field. I still do not know what the future holds for Robb, but I am so grateful that I will be able to take an active role in enhancing his experience. The vast majority of leaders with whom I spoke had some sort of connection to the community of people with disabilities, and having Robb as a brother, I can completely understand why because every time I learned about the successes and hardships in the field, I thought about how they could affect him. Robb is the most amazing person I know, and it is frustrating that we live in a society that favors a type of processing and thinking style that is different from his own. I know that changing this very makeup of our society may be an impossible task, but by taking action in a field that is the base for our lives, housing, people have at least helped their loved ones and beyond build meaningful lives.
I never before considered myself an active participant in advancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, rather, I was just a sister who loved her brother and would do anything for him. However, I am so excited to be able to take what I have learned to help my brother and share it with the wider community! My contribution is minuscule compared to the leaders discussed in my book, but it is a privilege to help recognize their efforts in the field!
