Lily Green’s Journey with UCP and Assistive Technology

Lillian (Lily) Green has been a valued participant in UCP’s Day Program in Old Saybrook for about a year and a half, attending 6 hours a day, four days a week.

At 71, Lily lives in a skilled nursing facility on a fixed income, which limited her access to technology before joining UCP. Initially, her knowledge of computers was minimal—she thought of them as devices connected to keyboards. However, when she observed others using iPads, manipulating them effortlessly with their fingers, her curiosity was sparked, and she was eager to learn.

UCP’s Assistive Technology (AT) training program, recently integrated into the Day Program, proved to be the perfect avenue for Lily to embark on her iPad journey.

Jennifer Keatley, UCP’s Executive Director, highlighted the program’s innovative approach: “We recently created an assistive technology lead teacher position within our Day Program. This role is designed to keep our staff at the forefront of technological advancements. The lead teacher learns about the latest technologies at our main technology center in Quaker Hill and brings that knowledge, along with new AT devices, back to our Old Saybrook location. The goal is to train our staff, who then incorporate technology into daily activities for the individuals we serve, according to their personal goals and interests. This ongoing training helps everyone at UCP, including staff and caregivers, stay updated on the newest technologies that can enhance independence and quality of life.”

When Lily expressed her desire to learn how to use an iPad, the AT training program responded quickly, helping her develop new skills. Thanks to a technology grant from Bridging the Digital Divide, which is a program for older adults and individuals with disabilities, UCP was able to deliver a new iPad to Lily. Practicing at home accelerated her learning, and her patience and dedication paid off. Once full of questions, Lily now skillfully uses coloring and gaming apps on her own, enjoying creative ways to pass the time.

Amy Owens, a Day Program Manager at UCP, reflected on Lily’s progress: “At first, Lily had difficulty using her fingers to navigate the iPad, so we provided her with a stylus featuring a built-up handle for better grip. That adjustment made all the difference. It’s incredibly rewarding to see her mastering the technology and gaining a sense of accomplishment. I’ve been with UCP for 15 years, and moments like these make me proud of the work we do. This is why I love being here.”

Lily’s journey with UCP demonstrates the power of technology in transforming lives, fostering independence, and enriching daily living.

Karyn Jones

Marie Granucci
From a life of existence to acceptance and full inclusion.

When Marie was growing up in North Branford, CT, she was the only known person in town with Cerebral Palsy (CP). She attended a completely non-accessible public school system, since The ADA Act was yet enforced. When she attended community college, that journey took 10 years to complete and the support of her mom, to get a degree in Human Services.

When she was in her 20s and 30s, she found it painful to handle watching her friends and siblings find relationships, get married and land jobs. Feeling isolated and without hope, Marie sought local support for her condition from UCP of Eastern CT. That was about 5 years ago.

UCP of Eastern CT had the program Marie was looking for — a robust Mentor Program that helped her understand CP through education and sharing experiences with others. “One of the first people I met was a woman with CP who was 90 years old,” Marie reminisced. “Listening to her tell stories about her life gave me hope that I too could have relationships, get married and live for a long time.”

Today, Marie not only participates in the Mentor Program at UCP, she helps lead it. She plans relevant topics from safety and social security issues to sign language know-how. She recruits others to join, she volunteers her time and advocates tirelessly for young adults with disabilities to enhance independence in the workforce and their communities. In fact, that has become her life mission as she seeks a wider audience online, as a national blogger.

Marie has created several social media sites, under the umbrella name: WOWCP which stands for: Working Out With CP. The way she explains it, “that could include anything from learning how to put on your shoes and socks to getting a job and starting a family.”

She has become a subject matter expert in the Cerebral Palsy field with more than 1000 followers and over a half dozen social media sites that include meaningful content ranging from government and politics to issues “for women only” — as well as healthy eating and physical education.

“I’m a watcher,” Marie says. “That’s how I learn, by watching and listening.” With her ever-expanding online community, she continues to gain knowledge and give back by hearing what others have to say and sharing her stories of hope — to an audience that is now limitless.

“My parents learned from UCP of Eastern Connecticut that education was the answer,” Marie added. When I was very young, they encouraged me to stand before my classmates in public school to teach them about my disease. Some kids made fun of me at first, but once they understood my condition, then they knew me as Marie, and they knew my disability was not going to hurt them…or me. That was a significant lesson for me to learn — that knowledge is understanding.”

“UCP has helped me blossom into the person I didn’t know was there. The door was locked. I was afraid to understand. Now I’m aware and I live a full life. UCP taught me acceptance — they have an open door policy — if you have a disability, not just CP, they help you out. And now, that’s what I do too on my national sites.” (links to Marie’s sites)

“My dream is to establish a non-profit to create a community where young adults can meet, interact and take workshops online,” Marie explains. “We can dream right!”