Rinda Freeman, Glen Hannon and Kris Kirby at Creative Services office

When it comes to serving the mentally handicapped population here in Grants Pass, the dedicated staff of our local Creative Support office earns a five star rating.

Designed to serve those “wait listed” for help with services such as finding a steady place to live, employment, shopping, and learning day-to-day living skills, the department provides support to a number of individuals and their families.
Glen brings with him a B.S. in psychology and 20 years of experience. When speaking about his work, Glen leans forward and his look becomes intense as he describes the joy of seeing positive results for his clients. It is immediately obvious that he is intensely satisfied with this field of work. He has been in the field long enough to have witnessed the shift in attitudes towards the developmentally disabled (DD) and those with mental retardation, and feels as if there has been a vast improvement. A far cry from the institutions and isolation of the past, Creative Supports receives referrals for wait-listed clients, who are then given a variety of choices. They are encouraged to seek work within the community, are able to select their own caregivers, all the while being taught skills to foster as much independence as possible.

Rinda’s work comes to her naturally. When she was just six years old, her brother adopted a child with Down’s syndrome. As she grew up, her summer jobs always included working with handicapped people. She went on to earn an AA degree, a social services degree, and then received her mental health technician certificate.  Rinda enjoys being able to let client’s and their families know they now have the opportunity to make more of their own decisions in regards to needed services, and likes to help people find solutions to various problems they encounter.  It has taught her to appreciate her own life more, and when she goes home at the end of the day, she takes with her the feeling that she has learned more from her DD friends than they have from her.

Kris started her career as a client supervisor in a sheltered workshop- a controlled work environment created to offer jobs to those whose disabilities keep them from working at a regular job source. She then spent a number of years at home raising her children, after which she attended Rogue Community College to receive her mental health tech. certificate.  She is refreshingly clear in stating what she likes most about her work…”being the link that gets clients what they want.” Rather than viewing this as just another job, Kris feels privileged to be able to serve the DD population of Grants Pass, and finds there is a certain degree of satisfaction when clients begin to know and trust her. Her straight forward, honest approach is sure to be a benefit to those around her for years to come.

As a group, Glen, Rinda, and Kris all agree that giving people more options empowers them to reach a higher potential. When asked what the people of Grants Pass can do to become more involved, they stated that people frequently ask how deal with the mentally handicapped in public. The question is proof that some degree of discomfort still does exist in our society, but it is also a very positive sign, because it shows people care and learning to overcome the fears and prejudices that once were rampant. The answer is simple: treat them like the human beings they are. Look them in the eye and say hello as you would to anyone. Don’t judge all DD people the same as far as your beliefs about their capabilities are concerned. As is true in any group of people, there is a wide range of differences in their personalities, abilities, and education. Their biggest handicap is often communication, but their next biggest one is the “invisible phenomenon”, which happens when others refuse to acknowledge them or who are afraid to treat them normally when they do.

In order to qualify for services, one must be over the age of 18, have a diagnosis, live on his/her own or with a family member, and receive a referral from the State DHS DD program. For more information, contact Creative Support by calling this number:  (541) 472-0752 -Gina Locke