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Families & Allies Working Together Newsletter
10-27-2004
The Very Happy Life of Dennis Carbrey
All too often, people with disabilities are un- or under-employed, live in congregate living facilities, have few friends, and are quite removed from the larger community in which they live. Dennis Carbrey is quite the opposite in every respect. This is Dennis’s story as he told it to us. We think it may be inspiring for many people living with disabilities.
Born 42 years ago here in Denver, Dennis has lived his entire life in Colorado. At the age of nine, he went to live in the Laradon Hall residential facility, but he moved out of Laradon several years ago and is now living in a private home. While at Laradon, he met Sharon Dawson, with whom he shares his house, along with two host home providers. He and Sharon recently went through a commitment ceremony – he loves her because of her “really neat personality” and her interest in what he is doing. And, last but not least, she “thinks the world of me.”
Dennis takes his work at Taco Bell very seriously, where he works three days a week. He says, “They like my work.” He also volunteers two days a week at Children’s Hospital and loves it there. On Mondays, he goes to Laradon to meet with his counselor and saves time for meetings with friends and acquaintances.
He is very active on weekends, with Bingo on Saturday nights at a local Bingo hall and church on Sundays at Providence Presbyterian in South Denver. Sharon is a constant weekend companion at his regular activities.
In addition, as if he didn’t have enough to do, Dennis is a member of the Employment Committee of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council and is a regular member of a friend’s Circle of Support, both of which meet monthly. Dennis is also an active member of People First of Denver and, finally, Dennis is a devoted member of Families & Allies’ Board of Directors.
Although Dennis has a visual impairment, he has figured out how to get around Denver, namely through the use of Access-a-Ride. He knows most of the dispatchers and many of the drivers, and they certainly know him. Transportation, often a real problem for people with disabilities, is no handicap for Dennis.
Because of his love of music – “I was born with it” – Dennis has performed in Magic Moments for each of the past nine years. During the winter, rehearsals take up what little free time he has. He also loves to sing karaoke, and he now is the proud owner of a karaoke machine with which he practices regularly. He also enjoys listening to the radio, especially to Charley Pride and Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, and to KPOF, a Christian radio station. He particularly likes to watch Bad Boys on television.
Dennis’s family consists of his father who now lives in Seattle “who I see from time to time,” and two younger sisters, both of whom live in the area. His mother, to whom he was quite close, passed away last year. His church was very helpful in assisting him in dealing with her death.
When we asked Dennis about his dreams for the future, he reported that he would love to put together a live CD – Dennis Carbrey Live – on which he would sing his favorite songs, such as The Impossible Dream and The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, which Dennis sang to Sharon in a solo performance in Magic Moments two years ago. He also mentioned that the people he admires most are Bill Baesman, Executive Director of the ARC of Colorado, and KQ Quintana of Magic Moments.
Dennis offers his suggestions for others with disabilities because “It’s often harder for them to be active in the community. They should come to a Families and Allies’ meeting, or come and play Bingo on Saturday night, or go to church on Sundays.” He adds, “They would be welcome to come to my church.” For people without disabilities, Dennis recommends that they introduce someone with disabilities to places they are familiar with, for example, introduce them into the larger community.
Dennis is very happy with his life and, given the fullness of it, one certainly can understand why. He’s quite a guy!!!
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