Champions for Lizzy: A Profile on Lizzy Kearns and Her Family

“She was phenomenal.”  That’s how Todd Cooper describes his aunt, Lizzy.  When Lizzy was born, the doctors predicted she’d never be able to walk, talk, or take care of herself and they wanted to put her in a state-run facility.  Thankfully, Lizzy’s mother believed otherwise, and raised her to have a full and happy life.  Not only did Lizzy walk, talk, and take care of herself, she also cared for others. Todd says his aunt Lizzy helped raise him, spending time at Lizzy’s house after school and on weekends. Lizzy and her mother were pioneers in community living before it was a concept.

Lizzy taught Todd much of what there is to know about in life.  Everything from crossing the street to managing his emotions in difficult social situations.  She was generous and loving with all who knew her.  Lizzy lived in her family home for 75 years.

However, a stroke forced Lizzy to move from the family home to a group home. Todd and his mother were elated to find a group home for Lizzy near their house. But this new group home wasn’t what it promised to be. After moving in, restrictions were imposed on what Lizzy could and could not do which were not discussed during the intake process. Her family saw that Lizzy’s voice was not being heard, and knew that she would be happier living back at home with her family. It was important that Lizzy had the opportunity to enjoy her life the way she chose. Todd remembered he’d heard about CLEP at a vendor fair and gave Natalie Trump a call.

They (Natalie Trump and Mary Kneeler) care. They're smart. They study. They read. They learn, and they always have a Plan B. And when Plan B doesn't work, they have a Plan C. What Natalie did for me was not let me give up. Ever. It was always about Lizzie, getting her where she wants to be and how to help her.

Todd Cooper

Lizzy Kearn's nephew

For the next 14 months, the CLEP team worked to support Lizzy, her sister Connie, and nephew Todd as they explored how all of Lizzy’s needs could be met through services delivered in her family’s home – a process called self-direction.  Reflecting on this difficult time, Todd cites Natalie Trump and Mary Kneuer as being the tireless champions that they needed on their side as they fought to give Lizzy the quality of life she wanted.

As Todd summarizes, “Natalie and Mary gave our family choices in our effort to get services coordinated for Lizzy in her home.

As a result, Todd says that Lizzy was able to live her last few months of her life at home, surrounded by family, engaged in the activities she enjoyed, and have a quality of life that was measurably improved.  Todd can’t say enough about how CLEP significantly improved Lizzy’s life, and what this meant to him, Lizzy, and her family.