Molly Berry and her parents came to OHI in the summer of 2003 for one reason: Molly had just graduated from high school and, like any 20-year-old, she was anxious to get out into the world and live on her own. However, Molly and her parents faced an extra hurdle. Molly was born with intellectual disabilities that affect her speech, her capacity to learn, and her motor skills. She still has a hard time walking and running. But, says mom Karen, "OHI really knows how to support people toward independence." For Molly that meant doing all the things OHI does best, from believing that Molly could learn to be on her own (even if she had to do it in stages) to helping her parents tackle the paperwork needed to obtain funding for services — and for the mobile home where Molly has lived since July of 2005. It also meant providing Molly with in-home support services. One of her Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Mary Collier helps Molly two and half days a week with grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning — and with reminders about teeth brushing, hair washing, and appointments. Sometimes they go to the mall or to a restaurant for dinner and ice cream, so Molly gets used to being out in the community without her parents. However, as Molly's mom is quick to point out, "this isn't just about Mary babysitting for the day." Instead, she says, it's about coaching Molly through skills that need to be reinforced with the long-term goal of independence — to the highest level possible. "Mental retardation is very individualized; everyone's needs are different," says Karen. "OHI is different too. It's an agency that understands and cares for each person it supports. They're totally focused on what they believe and how they can make things happen." Today Molly cleans and cooks for herself — though she sometimes still needs reminders to turn burners off or to keep the dish towel away from the stove — and she's learning to pay her bills and to budget her money. She's also learning how to use the bus system, and she's taken an OHI-facilitated relationship class for people with intellectual disabilities to help her make healthy choices when it comes to relationships. But, Molly's move toward independence isn't only about today. "We know we won't be here forever," says Karen. "If Molly doesn't learn to be on her own as much as she can, if she doesn't learn to navigate this world, what will happen to her?"