2023 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 2023 Page 35 College in the kitchen and dining room area. Lessons she learned in the life science workshops enabled her to work outside of the LCDR until the college had to cut back before eventually closing all together. Though Farmer made the decision to move back into her family home, she has lived on her own. She had an apartment at the Logan County Housing Authority for a while. The fire at the apartment building, a period of time stuck in the elevator, and an unhappy experience with a fellow tenant led her to decide that she would be happier and healthier back at home. But she still has freedom and decides for herself when she does what. She looks forward to going to LCDR daily. She likes to work, she likes the staff, and she likes her fellow clients. Goodman said he felt that one of the most important things Farmer has learned is that she is not alone in the world. He said sometimes he feels that people who are different in whatever way get to feeling like they are the only one who is different. At LCDR, Farmer knows that she is with people who understand her challenges, just as she understands theirs. Farmer said that she loves popcorn day, she likes to go to the park and just sit and enjoy the scenery and fresh air. She likes going on field trips to places like the zoo, and she looks forward to each day. Goodman said Farmer is no longer that uncommunicative young girl who allows other people to hurt her and take away her selfesteem and dignity. She is outgoing, friendly, still a little shy on occasion, but very capable of standing up for herself and not letting others Continued -- make her feel like she is inferior or defective. Farmer said that as part of being with the LCDR she has a case worker that visits on a regular basis. The conversations usually revolve around how Farmer is doing in general, the friendships and relationships she is in, is she staying healthy and taking good care of herself, is she part of the community and does she get out and have fun in social settings. They also talk about whether or not Farmer is ready to become more independent, is she thinking about living alone again, would she like to have a job outside of LCDR. Farmer right now at least doesn’t want to move away from her family. She likes where she is and enjoys being with her mom and all the pets at home, one dog and a number of cats and kittens. She would entertain the idea of taking a job outside of the LCDR because she liked the work she did at the college, and she enjoyed the reward of a paycheck. Socially, she makes life-long friends. Goodman is one as is his mom Gaynor. Goodman says that once she makes a friend, she is loyal to that person, and will always be ready to say hello and visit with the people she sees in the community whom she likes. Back at LCDR Farmer’s name is mentioned to Deany and Ross-Jones. They know the young woman well and are pleased with how she has progressed over the years she has been at the LCDR. And, yes, she is one of several success stories at the LCDR. The two say that the end goal for all of their clients is to see them lead happy, productive lives where that they don’t feel isolated, but rather know and understand that while they may be different, they have great value in our society, and they are loved by many people.
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