Tamera and William Smith

Meet Tammy and Bill Smith. Tammy and Bill reside in the small rural community of Enfield, Maine, which is located approximately 13 miles from Lincoln and 32 miles from Bangor. Tammy and Bill live alone, but have raised two grown children, a son age 31 who lives in Enfield and a daughter, age 28 who lives in N. Carolina. They also have two grandchildren who visit them occasionally.

Tammy describes her neighborhood as “friendly and welcoming.” Tammy said they are pretty centrally located and that they have many opportunities for recreation in Lincoln and in Bangor.

Tammy has extensive experience working with adults with developmental disabilities as she has worked for Katahdin Friends Incorporated since October of 2005. She also worked for MERT Enterprises as a DSP from October 2004 through October 2005. Currently at KFI, Tammy’s full time work consists of supporting a 51-year-old gentleman three and a half days each week in his own apartment. When she worked at MERT Enterprises, Tammy supported two ladies in their own apartment in much the same way. Tammy stated that she and Bill provided respite to foster children for five years prior to working with adults and that she has always wanted to work in the helping field. Tammy expresses a desire to “help others and support them as they live their lives to the fullest.” Tammy and Bill have a great home with lots of space and love to give. Bill works as an equipment operator for Prentis and Carlisle but he plans to be actively involved in the support of an individual residing with them.

Bill is certified in CPR and First Aid. Tammy is CRMA certified, DSP certified, BBP-PDT, First Aid and CPR certified. Both Tammy and Bill are willing to take additional training as required and necessary to support the person who would share their home.

Tammy and Bill love the outdoors. They love to go fishing, camping, out to eat, to spend time with extended family and enjoy BBQ’s with friends and family. Tammy said they love to stay at home as well. They attend the Enfield Baptist Church occasionally, and are willing to help the person who shares their home to attend a church of their choice.

Tammy and Bill’s is was cozy and comfortable with a country look that is warm and inviting. The spacious rooms are bright and cheery and have a sense of warmth and comfort. The bedroom set aside for someone is on the main floor and right off the living room. There is a bathroom right near the bedroom that is available.

Tammy has done some research and has found that there are several programs in the Bangor and Lincoln areas, “Citizens of Maine” being one of them. There is also transportation from her town to these areas if there is a need.

Bill smokes but Tammy does not. There are no pets in the home.

Tammy and Bill’s references describe them as “caring, honest, helpful, reliable, responsible, dedicated and very giving people.” One of Tammy’s references said she would want Tammy and Bill to keep a loved one of hers because she “knows they’d do everything to keep them safe and happy.” All the references said that Tammy and Bill would be great at caring for someone in their home and that they would be excellent at making people feel comfortable and welcomed in their home.

Tammy has been considering becoming a home care provider for a couple years now. She believes that this will be a situation that benefits both her family and the individual that moves in with them. The individual will benefit by being in a home atmosphere where “he will have choice and meaningful participation in the family, and he will always feel respected and cared about.” Tammy and Bill’s family will benefit from the experience of having a new roommate affected by a developmental disability in that; they will have the opportunity to see the world from someone else’s perspective.

Tammy and Bill would like to support a male or female adult of any age. They wouldn’t mind supporting and sharing their home with someone who smokes, but they would prefer that there be no smoking in the bedrooms. They would like to support someone who is comfortable around children as their grandchildren visit occasionally. Tammy is comfortable with helping the individual she supports with minimal personal care if there is a need.

Tammy has submitted all of the necessary information to Momentum, Inc. and has been thoroughly screened. She and Bill are ready to have an individual move in with them. Tammy has demonstrated a high level of competence, an open mind and an eagerness to get started as a home care provider. Tammy would like to get done her full time job and focus on supporting someone in her home. She would like to “give her full attention and support” to someone who would like to become an integral part of her life. There is no doubt that Tammy and Bill will be able to develop a meaningful relationship with any individual that moves in with them. They are prepared to share their home with an individual completely and they will welcome that individual to make the space his/her own. Tammy understands that having a sense of personal space and privacy is very important and they intend to respect this.

Tammy is open to the challenges that she may face and welcomes this opportunity with open arms. With her experience and willingness to learn, Tammy’s home will make a wonderful place in which any person will be able to flourish and develop as an individual through the expression of creativity and independence.