Discuss Jim's story and how perceptions transformed with advocacy eventually leading to Jim's independence. How does this connect with experiences you have had? Or how would this impact your future work? 

Jim's story in "No Pity" is a powerful example of how advocacy and shifting perceptions can lead to increased independence for individuals with disabilities. Jim was born with cerebral palsy and faced a world that saw him as "disabled" and incapable of living a "normal" life. However, with the help of his family and a supportive community, Jim was able to challenge these perceptions and fight for his rights to live independently. Through his activism and advocacy, Jim was able to change the way society viewed disability and promote the idea that individuals with disabilities should have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. This eventually led to him living independently, with the support of his personal assistant.

This story connects with my own experiences working with individuals with disabilities and reinforces the importance of advocacy and challenging negative perceptions. It highlights the power of community and support in creating positive change. In my future work, I will strive to continue advocating for individuals with disabilities and promoting the idea of inclusion and equal rights. As Jim's story shows, small steps can lead to significant changes, and it is crucial to keep pushing for progress.

1. After reviewing the additional resources discuss at least two things you found of interest and explain why you found them interesting.

After reviewing the additional resources provided, two things that I found interesting are:

2. Remembering with Dignity's Efforts to Locate Missing Graves: Remembering with Dignity is a nonprofit organization that works to locate and properly mark the graves of individuals who lived and died in Minnesota's state institutions for people with developmental disabilities. Their efforts to identify these individuals and provide them with the dignity of a marked grave is inspiring. It is heartbreaking to think that so many people lived their entire lives in institutions and were buried in unmarked graves without their families even knowing. Remembering with Dignity's work is an important step towards honoring these individuals and acknowledging the harm that was done to them.
4. The Impact of Community Action: The news article on Mnopedia highlights how community action played a crucial role in the establishment of Remembering with Dignity. It was a grassroots effort, with advocates and volunteers coming together to push for change. This is a reminder of the power of community action and the importance of grassroots advocacy. Small actions can lead to significant changes, and it is essential to keep pushing for progress and raising awareness of important issues. Mostly, I found the additional resources to be informative and thought-provoking. They shed light on an important issue and provide examples of how individuals and communities can come together to create positive change.
6. Discuss how you, as a human services professional, would work with an individual that wanted to move to a more independent setting.

As a human services professional, working with an individual who wants to move to a more independent setting would require a person-centered approach that prioritizes the individual's autonomy and preferences. Some steps I would take to support this individual could include:

Assessing the individual's current skills and support needs: It is essential to understand the individual's current level of functioning and the support they require to live independently.

Developing a plan: Based on the assessment, a plan could be developed that outlines the steps needed to achieve the individual's goal of living independently. This plan would consider the individual's preferences, support needs, and available resources.

Providing education and support: The individual may need support in learning new skills related to living independently, such as managing finances or household tasks. It may also be helpful to provide information on available resources, such as affordable housing options or employment services.

Monitoring progress and adjusting the plan: Regular check-ins would be necessary to monitor progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Providing emotional support: Moving to a more independent setting can be a significant transition, and the individual may need emotional support throughout the process.

Finally , the key is to work collaboratively with the individual to support their autonomy and preferences while also ensuring their safety and well-being.