LAURA ORSLAND is the mother of a son with developmental disabilities. Like so many parents in similar circumstances, she was dissatisfied with the limited options for people with disabilities once they left high school. Everyone she consulted with — professionals, family members, people with disabilities, legislators, therapists — was acutely aware of the lack of resources and information.
The idea that developmentally disabled people are a separate constituency who need their own care, resources, and opportunities is relatively new and was not truly codified into law until the 1990s, which is relatively recent.
That dissatisfaction led to the creation of The HIVE — an acronym for Habilitation, Information, Vocation, and Education — a multi-purpose center that provides much-needed help for developmentally disabled people and their families.
The HIVE’s mandate has many components. It functions as a clubhouse that provides social opportunities, learning experiences, independent living skills, safety, advocacy, and health. It also undertakes advocacy — on a local and state level — to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities.
The HIVE occupies an interesting niche. It is structured and informal and operates like any club — there’s an application process to join. The HIVE is not an adult day care. Anyone who comes needs to bring a person to accompany them. It functions akin to a resource center and base point. The clubhouse is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the staff is available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Orsland said the many resources are part of a “holistic approach.” The members can find magazines, newspapers, and online resources to help plan their week. There is help with longer-range plans — post-secondary education and potential employment. There are a variety of classes, with the option to pick what is most interesting or relevant. The HIVE currently services around 50 people, many of whom are on the milder support end of the autism spectrum but have social deficits that make employment and relationships difficult. Nor are they ready to be out in the world.
One unfortunate scenario is that with the parents working out of the house, the disabled youth stays home, falling into patterns of weight gain, depression, and becoming targets of online exploitation. The HIVE can reverse that pattern.
The HIVE’s broad age range starts at 14, and that is considered the transition age for people with disabilities. Orsland said that’s when, in school meetings, they’ll start talking to you about what’s next or what will come after high school. Some teenagers come into The HIVE in the summertime, which ensures that they’re very familiar with The HIVE and all it does by the time they age out of high school. And the membership range varies — there’s a member who is 70.
The HIVE also extends its care mandate to the families and primary caregivers of people with disabilities who are under enormous stress and pressure, plagued by higher-than-usual levels of divorce, loneliness, and depression. The HIVE is there for them as well.
Attendance is capped at two days or four sessions a week. The idea is for The HIVE clientele to get out into the community, which is inherently beneficial and also enables the potential for making community connections that could lead to employment or educational opportunities.
The HIVE partners with the Top Crops garden on Western Kentucky University’s farm to further the goal of active community participation. The garden is planted, tended to, and harvested by people with developmental disabilities who sell the produce at the community farmers market. Top Crops is located at the very tip end of the circle.
Orsland is more than thankful for the town of Bowling Green, which has repeatedly demonstrated its support. Their structure was badly damaged in a tornado a few years ago, and there was an exceptional outpouring of support.
Orsland sees her HIVE as akin to a beehive — a busy, close-knit community all working together for a common goal. And unlike a real beehive, one doesn’t have to approach The HIVE with any apprehension whatsoever. GN
