Vibrant, outspoken, and endlessly charismatic, Barbara leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets! Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Barbara spent most of her adult life in Washington, DC. She is a devoted mother of two, a proud grandmother to two granddaughters, and a doting great-grandmother. Barbara often shares stories about her family, and her pride in them is unmistakable. She enjoys reading, playing Scrabble, listening to music, and spending time out in the community with her family.
At her nursing facility, she currently serves as President of the Residents’ Council, where she passionately advocates for quality care and fair treatment—not only for herself, but also for her fellow residents. Barbara is known for her no-nonsense approach, unyielding advocacy, and sharp wit. When asked about her resilience, she shared: “Sometimes you just have to go somewhere you’ve never been to get where you need to be.”
Following a hospitalization in 2022, Barbara experienced significant muscle weakness related to rheumatoid arthritis, as well as weight gain that ultimately affected her mobility. With increased care needs, her previous living arrangements were no longer safe or sustainable. During her transition between facilities, Barbara lost access to critical personal documentation, including her Social Security card and birth certificate, which created major barriers to services.
Through collaboration with Barbara’s daughter and the Virginia Office of Vital Records, her SCI Supports Planner Morgan was able to help secure her birth certificate and obtain a new state-issued photo ID. With proper identification restored, Morgan and Barbara successfully applied for Metro Access and worked with SafeLink and the National Verifier to establish mobile phone service—ensuring Barbara could feel safer and more connected while traveling in the community.
This support has allowed her to re-engage in family outings and begin rebuilding her confidence navigating public spaces. Because Barbara uses a manual wheelchair and continues to require assistance with transfers, Morgan is coordinating with the social worker at Barbara’s nursing home to obtain a motorized wheelchair through the Maryland Durable Medical Equipment Re-Use program.
Since working with Service Coordination, Inc. (SCI), Barbara and Morgan have worked closely to achieve her goal of increasing independence and mobility. She is actively participating in physical therapy and making notable progress. Her goal is to transition to an assisted living setting, and much of their focus has been on navigating the Community Options Waiver process.
Barbara and Morgan worked together to create a Plan of Service which reflectes Barbara’s vision for a good life. This plan was recently approved! Barbara was thrilled by this milestone and is eager to move forward with the next steps in her transition. Currently, she is focusing on building strength and transitioning from a wheelchair to using a rollator. She takes pride in the fact that she is now taking more steps each day. Additionally, she is making a concerted effort to be more involved with her family and community.
Barbara’s unwavering determination and optimism are deeply inspiring. Her confidence in the process motivates me to match her energy and dedication at every stage of her journey.