In the 1990s, Pete Peterson lived in a BARC Developmental Services group home he shared with several other individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. With friends around and 24/7 care, Pete was set for life, but it wasn’t what he wanted. He craved independence, to do what he wanted when he wanted without needing to rely on anyone else.
At first, BARC’s didn’t support him moving out independently, but after careful consideration, they rethought their decision, and helped Pete move into an apartment. It was on the second floor, and as a wheelchair user, it became challenging for him to navigate. So, Pete switched his provider agency to KenCrest and joined the Supported Independent Living program for a better quality of life.
In 1993, KenCrest found Pete a new apartment that worked for him, not the other way around, and he’s been happy ever since. But as he ages, he’s found that he can no longer do certain things as easily as he once could.
“Pete took a nasty fall while trying to transfer to his wheelchair,” recalls Annette Hanks, Pete’s former Community Connection Coach. “He couldn’t get back up and was on the floor until I arrived the next morning.”
When Annette entered the apartment, she found Pete awake but injured, with a cut on his foot and clearly shaken. She immediately called 911 and stayed beside him, offering reassurance until emergency responders arrived. Once he knew help was there, Pete finally felt safe enough to rest.
“That moment was an eye-opener,” Annette says. “Pete had always been able to transfer independently, but as we age, things change, and that’s okay. The question became: how do we help Pete stay in his home safely while honoring his independence?”
So, with the help of KenCrest’s Enabling Technology department, Pete was given a Personal Emergency Response system that he wears around his neck to press the button and call for help in an emergency. He also has a door opener that allows him to push a button, and the door will open and shut, making it easier for him to roll in and out. He was even open to installing a device to turn his lights off and on in his apartment without touching a light switch.
However, Pete's most significant advancement this year was his new electric wheelchair and manual shower wheelchair from Bryn Mawr Rehab. Now, he can wheel directly into the shower, whereas before, Pete used his manual wheelchair in the bathroom but would transfer to a shower chair while bathing. But as he’s aged, it's become more challenging, and having a chair he can roll into the shower with has helped him immensely.
“[KenCrest Nurse Liaison], Jodi Bliss went down to Bryn Mawr Rehab with us each time we got his wheelchairs and helped Pete, and I adjust to them,” says Annette. “She’s also helped him with his bed transfers at night, helping him learn new ways to do them so they are easier. She even suggested that we get a bed rail to assist him in getting in and out of bed.”
According to Annette, having a nurse available for individuals in Supported Independent Living was incredible because they didn’t always have that.
For more than 20 years, Annette and Pete worked closely together in Supported Independent Living, forming a bond that went far beyond professional support. Recently, Annette retired from KenCrest and no longer serves as Pete’s Community Champion. While that transition marked the end of an era, it did not slow Pete’s progress or his ability to thrive.
Today, Pete continues to live independently, supported by thoughtful planning, adaptive technology, and the broader KenCrest team. Annette remains part of Pete’s life as a friend, visiting regularly and cheering him on as he continues his journey.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have worked with Pete for so many years,” Annette says. “But what matters most is that he’s still living the life he wants, safely, independently, and on his own terms.”
Pete’s story is a powerful reminder that independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. With the right supports in place and the flexibility to adapt as life changes, people can continue to thrive in their homes and communities at every stage of life.
Support Independence at Every Stage of Life
Pete’s journey shows that independence doesn’t end when life changes; it evolves. At KenCrest, we partner with individuals and families to create flexible, person-centered supports that grow with them over time.
