Meet Tony: Empowered to Thrive

Tony has been receiving support from Easterseals Midwest since May 2018. Before Easterseals Midwest, Tony was in a nursing home. Not because of her age, but because it was the only facility where she thought she could receive the support she needed. Tony struggled with her weight and mobility and utilized a wheelchair to assist in getting around.

But Tony was ready to move back into her community. So, through Easterseals Midwest Community Living Services, Tony was able to move into a home of her own with housemates.

Over two and half years in her new home and with the support of opportunities Easterseals offered, Tony was able to lose 250 lbs., and improved her mobility so she no longer required a wheelchair.

In the Fall of 2020, Tony was ready for another change – living on her own. She advocated for herself to make the move and after researching available options, Tony decided Share Living Services were the best match for her. So she moved into her new home in Hazelwood in February 2021.

Tony says she is proud of the personal goals she has been able to accomplish during the first five months in her new home. She is continuing to work on healthy eating habits and making healthier choices and has lost an additional 22 lbs. She has continued to improve her mobility and no longer used a walker or cane for assistance. She goes on two daily walks around her neighborhood. Tony says she is most proud of learning to make food for herself using the stove. Her current favorites are scrambled eggs and sausage and she enjoys making her host family breakfast often.

Moving into a host home has supported Tony with improving her health, growing her independence, and developing a deeper connection to her community.