Lindsey Smith: Finger Lakes Independence Center

Lindsey Smith grew up north of Boston, Massachusetts, until she left home to begin her studies at Ithaca College in 2004. She chose Ithaca College because it was just the right size and she loved the feel, the vibe of Ithaca. And today, 20 years after she started IC, Lindsey still loves living in Ithaca.  Lindsey met her husband here and they savor their careers, and their time together.

Early on in Lindsey’s career she was hired by the renowned Racker Center, known, and acknowledged as one of the best programs in the country for those who are developmentally delayed. During Lindsey’s 12 years with the Racker Center, she worked with fine colleagues, participants, residents and their families. One of the tasks she excelled at was the creation of individualized service plans for adults living in group homes, based upon her contacts with residents, their families, former providers, and specialists. After gathering the relevant information, she would synthesize key information into a plan.

Lindsey’s first interaction at FLIC was to borrow assistive technology from the Try-It-Room for individuals she worked with. “I visited with one piece of equipment for one particular person in mind, and stayed almost an hour looking at different adaptive devices.”  Lindsey also utilized the Loan Closet when her husband had back surgery and she herself was having mobility issues. “I had a condition that was progressing quickly and interfering with my vestibular, proprioceptive and sense of touch. I was able to borrow a wheelchair prior to diagnosis and treatment for my temporary needs.”

“I’m an extreme networker. I love to connect people up with the services they are seeking (community programs, state and federal progams, aides and caretakers) and so much more.” When one walks into FLIC, Lindsey is often the first person one meets.

Jan Lynch, Executive Director at the Finger Lakes Independence Center since April 2014 shared this: “Independent Living Centers (ILCs) provide an array of services that assist New Yorkers with all disabilities to live fully integrated and self-directed lives. ILCs assist with all aspects of living, learning, and earning. They identify and facilitate removal of architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers to full participation in local communities and beyond.”

“ILCs are private, not-for-profit organizations, governed by a majority of people with disabilities and staffed primarily by people with disabilities. ILCs are service and advocacy centers that do not run residential programs.”

 “ILCs are based on the idea that people with disabilities are experts on their own needs and should have the same opportunities as others to live, work, and participate in society. ILCs are the voice of people with disabilities and the disability rights movement in local communities across New York State.”

People who have come to FLIC all have “Lindsey Stories”: “I called FLIC and asked if they ever heard of hospital beds being donated. Lindsey took my number and my email…Same day Laurie called me from Catholic Charities. She knew someone in a nearby town who had a hospital bed and more to donate…Lindsey is a great match maker.”

People come into FLIC in droves, Lindsey tells us, during summertime, holidays when people with disabilities may need a travel wheelchair to borrow. A guest is coming, and the host needs to borrow a walker, or someone just had unexpected surgery and needs a special type of therapeutic cushion or wheelchair.

Other Lindsey fans relate how Lindsey helped them figure out what service they needed to hunt for. If FLIC didn’t offer that service, Lindsey “went network” and gave the seeker other contacts to call.

FLIC frequent flyers rave about FLIC’s Loan Closet, which Lindsey organizes and oversees. It is simply amazing the wide array of products, equipment, tools, and supplies FLIC loans. And a huge high ceiling room is neatly stacked with every possible wheelchair design, walkers, grab bars and so much more.

Lindsey: “Our stock of items varies. When we have a surplus of equipment, we have the ability to gift the items to community members in need.  If someone doesn’t have a deposit to borrow items, we make it work.”

One Lindsey Fan described her transportation quandary: She had to get her elderly brother to the Mall, to see his wonderful doctor. Gadabout, an invaluable service which operates special paratransit buses for people in wheelchairs, generously agreed to transport to the Mall. The sister would take her brother in wheelchair and roll brother in wheelchair to the Gadabout driver when he arrived. Gadabout would transport to mall. Sister would push the wheelchair into the doctor’s office. However, the doctor’s office could not move the paralyzed brother to the examining table, due to liability issues, and the sister could not lift her brother. Did Lindsey know someone who could do the lifting transfer from wheelchair to examining table part?

Lindsey said she would think and call back. And so, she did. “Is the doctor willing to examine your brother in a reclining wheelchair? Call me back…I’m reserving one for you. Your name is on the tag on the wheelchair by the Reception Desk.”

Problem solved.

A retired judge visited many Independence Centers throughout NYS. One can search for and find Independence Centers in each county and borough of NYC. The judge assessed what Centers could offer to young people leaving prison on parole to return to their home communities. The judge reported that some Centers were committed to serving anyone who came in and was seeking help. Some offered to link young people with school systems to obtain Individualized Educational Plans; some assisted young people to get into tutoring programs or track down trade programs, some helped newly returned young people to obtain transcripts or missing benefits cards (Social Security, health insurance), or how to get on a wait list for public housing.

Each Independence Center is unique, but Ithaca’s Finger Lakes Independence Center is top of the list. Outstanding. And it’s all about the people who work in our FLIC.

Stay tuned for more about our outstanding Finger Lakes Independence Center.
Lindsey: “Visit us at www.fliconline.org and like us on Facebook.”