Editor’s Note: LIFTT’s overall success is measured in large part by the success of consumers and peers in achieving their individual goals. When a consumer or peer successfully completes a goal, their IL Specialist, Nutritional Health Coach, PCA facilitator, or Peer Program Coordinator writes up a “success story.” It is our privilege and pleasure to share some of them with you from time to time.
Christian Owens is a 20-year-old man from Glendive, Montana, who has been navigating the path to greater independence with courage, determination, and the support of LIFTT’s Independent Living team. Living with a learning disability, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, and ADD/ADHD, Christian faces daily challenges, but his goals are clear: he wants to secure stable housing, manage his own benefits, and eventually become a nurse.
Christian initially connected with LIFTT in early June, when Independent Living Specialist Sarah met with him at the Glendive Medical Center. He expressed his desire to become his own payee for his Social Security benefits, apply for Medicaid and SNAP, and learn how to better communicate with government agencies like the Social Security Administration. With Sarah’s help, Christian completed his intake paperwork and started working toward these goals.
Shortly after, feeling overwhelmed and unsure about his next steps, Christian walked over to the LIFTT office. Sarah and I worked together to develop a step-by-step plan. We agreed that Christian would benefit from services through Action for Eastern Montana’s WIOA employment program and the Social Security Ticket to Work program. We also supported him in initiating calls to Social Security and Action for Eastern Montana, and assisted with gathering documentation needed to prove that he was capable of becoming his own payee.
During this process, Christian opened up about significant housing concerns. He owns his trailer, but his landlord refuses to place him on the lot lease due to his Autism. Additionally, he was uncomfortable at home, reporting issues with marijuana smoke, conflict with family members, and a lack of access to clean drinking water. Despite several attempts to remove unwanted houseguests, he felt powerless and unheard. We connected Christian with Disability Rights Montana and began exploring options to improve his housing situation.
Over the following days, Christian remained in contact with Sarah and me, often calling just to vent or talk through his frustrations. One call in particular revealed how much stress he was under: his trailer was sold, he decided not to move to Kentucky as he had originally planned, and he was anxious about finding new housing and accessing his benefits. His phone was unreliable, and he had lost Sarah’s contact information at one point, but through persistence and teamwork, we stayed connected.
There were bright moments, too. Christian found a potential apartment within his budget and asked for help spelling words like “deposit” and “application” so he could write to the landlord. We scheduled an appointment for him to come into the office, and despite all the stress, his motivation remained strong.
On June 18, Christian called us twice—once to proudly share that he had signed the lease for his new apartment, and again to say that he had been approved by Social Security to be his own payee. His joy and relief were evident. “I just had to call and tell you,” he said. “I’m so happy.”
Christian’s journey is far from over, but his recent accomplishments are a testament to his resilience and the power of advocacy, patience, and support. He has been referred to LIFTT’s peer program for continued connection and encouragement as he takes his next steps. We are proud of the progress he has made and look forward to walking alongside him as he builds the life he wants and deserves.
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides aging and disabled members of the community with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south-central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for your Apple or Android Device.
