Editor’s Note: Each month, the LIFTT Connection Newsletter will highlight “Moments of Independence,” showcasing some of the ways we have successfully assisted consumers in meeting their goals.
Every day, across South and Central Eastern Montana, individuals discover new possibilities, overcome obstacles, and take meaningful steps toward greater independence.
Sometimes those moments are easy to recognize: a new job, a safe home, or a ride to an important medical appointment. Other times, they happen quietly: learning a new skill, gaining confidence, completing an application, making a new friend, or simply realizing, “I can do this.”
At LIFTT, we know that independence is not measured by the size of the accomplishment, but by what it means to the individual. Every goal achieved, every barrier overcome, and every life changed is worth celebrating.
Each month, Moments of Independence shares the stories of the remarkable people we have the privilege of serving. These stories remind us that independence is a journey, not a destination—and that with the right support, determination, and community, extraordinary things happen every day.
We hope these stories inspire you as much as they inspire us.
A Helping Hand When It Mattered Most
Sometimes, independence means having someone by your side when life’s challenges feel overwhelming.
When Linda reached out to LIFTT, she was carrying a heavy burden. Living with chronic health conditions meant frequent doctor visits and hospital stays, and the medical bills were beginning to pile up. She knew she needed help but wasn’t sure where to begin.
Navigating public benefits can be confusing, especially when you’re already focused on managing your health. That’s where LIFTT stepped in.
Working together, Linda met with an Independent Living Specialist who helped her understand the Medicaid application process, gather the necessary information, and communicate with the Montana Office of Public Assistance. What once felt overwhelming became a series of manageable steps, taken one at a time.
While the paperwork was important, the real outcome was something even greater: peace of mind. Instead of facing the process alone, Linda had someone to answer questions, provide encouragement, and help her move forward with confidence.
At LIFTT, advocacy is about more than completing forms. It’s about helping people access the resources they need, so they can focus on what matters most: their health, their independence, and their future.
Sometimes, the greatest victory isn’t found in a stack of paperwork. It’s found in knowing that you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.
Finding a Place to Call Home
Sometimes, the first step toward independence begins with opening the door to a place you can finally call home.
When Emily first came to LIFTT, life felt uncertain. Living with vision loss and managing several health conditions, she was searching for more than housing resources. She was searching for stability, hope, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.
Together, we explored the services and supports available to help her move forward. Emily connected with LIFTT’s Peer Mentor Program, Living Well classes, community resources, and other Independent Living services designed to strengthen her confidence and expand her opportunities.
Then came the phone call that changed everything.
Through the dedication of one of our community partners, Emily was able to move into a safe, comfortable home of her own. It wasn’t just a new address. It was a fresh start.
She shared how something as simple as having windows filled with natural sunlight, fresh air flowing through her home, and a peaceful place to relax had transformed the way she felt each day. Her outlook improved, her confidence grew, and for the first time in a long while, the future seemed full of possibility.
Today, Emily continues working toward her goals with renewed optimism, proving that when people have the right support and a safe place to call home, remarkable things can happen.
One Step Closer to Independence
Big dreams often begin with one small step.
For Rachel, independence meant something many of us take for granted: having a place of her own.
Although she was working and doing everything she could to move forward, the path wasn’t easy. Along with managing diabetes and several other serious health conditions, Rachel was navigating the complex process of applying for Social Security benefits while searching for affordable housing. It was a lot for one person to carry.
When she connected with LIFTT, she found more than information—she found a partner ready to walk beside her.
Together, we reviewed housing options, discussed available resources, and worked through the application process for Section 8 housing. What had once felt confusing and overwhelming became manageable, one step at a time.
While her journey continues, Rachel has already achieved something important: she now understands the process, knows where to turn for support, and has taken meaningful steps toward securing a home of her own.
Every application completed, every question answered, and every goal pursued is another step toward greater independence.
At LIFTT, we know that independence isn’t always measured by crossing the finish line. Sometimes it’s measured by finding the courage to take the very next step.
Knowledge is Power
Sometimes the greatest gift isn’t solving a problem. It’s helping someone understand it.
When David contacted LIFTT, he was frustrated and confused. After learning that he was no longer eligible for Medicaid, he didn’t know why his benefits had changed or what to do next. Like many people trying to navigate public benefit programs, he found the rules complicated and overwhelming.
An Independent Living Specialist took the time to sit down with David, explain how Medicare and Medicaid work together, answer his questions, and make sure he understood his options. Rather than rushing through the conversation, the specialist carefully reviewed the information several times, allowing David to take notes and ask questions along the way.
Before the conversation ended, David was also connected with the appropriate state agency so he could discuss the details of his individual situation and receive any additional assistance he might need.
A few days later, LIFTT followed up. This time, the uncertainty was gone.
David shared that he understood his benefits, felt confident about the next steps, and no longer needed additional assistance. Most importantly, he expressed his gratitude for having someone who took the time to listen, explain, and guide him through a confusing process.
At LIFTT, independence isn’t always about providing a service. It can also mean providing clarity. When people understand their options and know where to turn for help, they are empowered to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
Sometimes, a simple conversation can make all the difference.
For more information or assistance from LIFTT, please send us a message through our contact page, call, or stop by one of our offices:
Billings
1241 Crawford Drive
(406) 259-5181
Glendive
206 S. Douglas Street
(406) 948-8500
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 people with disabilites and aging indivduals with programs, services, resources and advocacy 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
Our Vision: Empowering aging individuals and people with disabilities to LIFTT themselves above the barriers of life.
Our Mission: Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow’s (LIFTT’s) mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Southeastern Montana is to empower aging individuals and people with disabilities to live independently through education, support, and opportunities.
