7 Questions With
Robert
Raglin
How long have you been opening your home to adults with developmental disabilities or living with someone with a developmental disability?
2020
What advice do you wish you received when you first started providing services?
I had to figure things out on my own. Until Victoria started helping me out and giving me some hands-on help. Somebody being able to motivate me a little bit more in knowing how to get things started. I would love to have been able to ascertain better knowledge than I had starting out.
What is the hardest part about the work you do?
Trying to get T. motivated. He gets down and beside himself and I think it’s because he doesn’t like confrontation. I have to constantly push and remind him of the things he has to do. One thing I do remind him of is that he has his rights, no matter what anyone says. If you feel a certain way and you like
it’s not contributing to you; you have the right to say something. Those are ways I feel like I was failing at first and I wasn’t getting to T like I wanted at first but he’s starting to come around a little bit.
What is the best part about the work you do?
Seeing T develop and grow. Being able to show there are errors and at the same time still letting it be known that we all make mistakes. I think the best thing I’ve been able to do is help him progress.
What is a dream that you have for yourself?
Keep serving God and doing the right things and treat people right. My dreams and aspirations are not goals, they’re only dreams of just loving people. My dreams have already been answered. Knowing God, having a loving woman behind me, and I still having my mother; she’s 94. My dreams can’t get any better!
What is the dream you have for the person(s) you are supporting?
For T. and H. are to make them better, they are able to go out on their own and live on their own. I’m in the process of buying some books so I can sit down with them and work on math problems, reading skills. T wants to go back to school. H has her diploma and T has that goal. So those things I want to help them do so they can break away and eventually live on their own. Total independent and I’m going to help the achieve their goal.
Who do you consider a hero and why?
Jesus Christ, ultimate hero! Now if I have to say an earthling, it would be my mother.
She told me the secret to longevity. Keep your mouth shut and drink water. 94 years old, still going… I hope I live that long.