Kevin Robinson moved with his parents from Chicago to Matteson in 1991. With cerebral palsy limiting his motor skills and muscular dystrophy forcing him to work twice as hard to stay strong, Kevin was dependent on his parents.

Neither Kevin nor his family believed he would ever live on his own. He had inquired about apartments in the past, but most had few accessibility features; others put his name on a waiting list and never called.

Then a bus driver told Kevin about Rainbow Village Apartments. He applied, interviewed, and moved in late last year.

"Everything here is where it needs to be to help me move around, reach, cook, and handle dayto-day necessities," said Kevin. Another advantage, he noted, is not being on the time schedules of other people. Although the dramatic change in lifestyle was at first daunting, Kevin now enjoys doing things for himself.

"There are many more people out there with disabilities," Kevin said. "It would be wonderful to expand the number of accessible apartments everywhere."

Best wishes to Kevin as he continues to enjoy his new independence.

How long have you lived in a Rainbow apartment?
15 years

Which building do you live in?
Hill Arboretum

Where were you living before?
Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, preparing to live on my own

How did you hear about Rainbow?
From an ICRE board member and Lisa Davis, a Rainbow tenant

How long did it take you to get in after you applied?
I was lucky. It took less than a year, as the building was brand new.

What do you like best about your home?
The freedom to do what I want, when I want

How has your apartment changed your life?
Not being dependent on other people

What do you like to do in your leisure time?
Listen to music and hang out with family and friends

Do friends or family visit your apartment?
Sometimes family from Chicago and Maywood

Who are your heroes?
I'll have to think more about that!

What is your biggest accomplishment?
Living on my own and having choices

What is your biggest goal?
To get my family back together and have my daughter back in my life

What would you like to say to the people who make Rainbow housing possible?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live independently.

Bob Gustafson was born with cerebral palsy and has always relied on a wheelchair for mobility. He is also profoundly deaf, does not speak and uses a TTY to communicate. Despite his challenges, Bob is one of the happiest men you would ever hope to meet.

Before moving to the Hill Arboretum Apartments, Bob lived with his parents in Evanston. He worked for Sears Roebuck for 17 years doing data-entry. Because it would have been difficult for Bob to commute to the Sears Tower or communicate with co-workers, Bob worked at home in an upstairs bedroom of his parents' house. Although he loved his work, he was alone most of the day.

Bob was one of the original residents of the Hill Arboretum Apartments and is one of the first residents to arrive at Hill's business center when there is work to do. His pride in completing a job well done is an inspiration for us all.

Chris Viau’s move to Hill Arboretum was reason to celebrate. After a doctor recommended the Rainbow apartment building, the 28-year-old Chris applied for residency but had to wait three long years for an apartment to become available. He was thrilled to move on from the nursing home in south suburban Chicago that he shared with very elderly, infirm neighbors. Unfortunately, until Hill Arboretum called, he was unable to find any other appropriate housing.

Chris grew up in Waukegan, where his father, mother and sister still live. He liked the family home of course, but it was his parents’ home, he says, not his. Now he can look forward to family visits to his place.

“I love having my own apartment,” says Chris. He has hired two part-time personal care attendants to help him with housekeeping and other tasks at various points throughout each day. Although he has cerebral palsy, Chris easily works and plays games on the computer in his apartment and hopes to work in Arboretum Business Center. The computer skills Chris learned while in the Waukegan Public School system will come in handy. He also works part-time for a Waukegan-based philanthropic association.

Chris arrived at Hill Arboretum in time for the last Breakfast Club, so he’s beginning to meet his Hill Arboretum neighbors. He plans to enjoy lots of movies on the DVD player he brought with him and the Cubs, Bulls and Bears on TV. Everything is finally looking up for Chris Viau.