Testimonials
We Are Proud To Share Our Success Stories!
Our son has had a tough time in school since his elementary days. He lacked focus, direction, independence, and needed development of time management, and self-care skills. He entered a special education college, which reportedly would help him in all of these areas. However, he was generally late to class, when he didn’t totally sleep the day away. He was unable to complete assignments without 1:1 assistance, and missed many altogether. Needless to say, he did not return after the first year. My husband and I sought a small, creative, yet goal-oriented program where our son could learn to live on his own, as well as attempt classes in a nurturing, supportive environment. Here at LDI, he has made significant progress in all areas; no longer misses classes, is on-time, and is learning to shop, cook, and take care of himself and his own apartment. We have been thrilled with our son’s progress and look forward to further development of his skills and abilities.
I came to LDI to help me find the next step in my life, whether it be vocational or college. I also came to LDI to discover more about myself. I am starting college in the spring; I hope to take a computer class at PVCC. My personal goals are, to become better with money, better my independent living skills, and lastly gain new friendships.
~ 1st year student
The reason why I came to LDI, as I needed to improve on friendships, but to do better at following through with my long term dreams with my career goal on working outdoors on being a trail-builder or a wild-land firefighter. I feel like I have completed all of my short term goals, as I’m always on time, hardly ever call in sick, and I follow instructions very well. I feel like LDI has helped me achieved a lot with getting help with my money management, as I’m still struggling, but I’m doing better at it.
~ 2nd year student
My adult son arrived at LDI 9 years ago on the recommendation of his psychologist. For most of his childhood our family moved often across the country and overseas. Through these many years and changes of schools and communities, our journey was filled with new doctors, new school systems, continuous special testing, frustrated teachers, and inconsistent diagnoses, disappointing job searches, and having to meet and make new friends. However there were also great times for my son, learning about new cultures, enjoying family trips, and participating in many sports.
As he entered LDI, it was evident that the program staff and administrators understood his challenges. Through all of their efforts, individual attention, and lots of persistence my son matured at LDI due to his experiences and excellent support there: he now has a job with benefits, manages his own complex medical needs, is responsible for maintaining his car and insurance and paying most of his living expenses.
He leads a very independent life! We will continue to work with LDI for some support in the areas of social growth and financial planning.
What brought me here to LDI is that I want to be more independent and not always rely on others. One success as I am attending LDI is that they taught me how to cook and be more independent.
~ 1st year student
I came to LDI after high school because I needed a transition program out of my boarding school into college. Since enrolling, I have achieved being able to make friendships and believing in myself here at LDI as it has helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses, which helps me strive to become successful in life. Also, I have been learning not to give up and to stay positive. LDI has been a great experience.
~ 1st year student
LDI offered our adult daughter the potential to reach her personal goal: to live independently by the age of 26. We all believed LDI was a match from our initial visit when we realized that each one of the staff spoke to her first, and then continued to speak to her respectfully. In most of our experiences, people have spoken to us and referred to our daughter in the third person during conversations, as if she were invisible.
Our daughter is intelligent, kind, and focused. LDI has given her the space, respect, tools, support, and structure to succeed in her LDI classes, her service-learning work, and her academic studies at the community college. Personally, the LDI extended services offer her breathing space to find success in budgeting, life skills, professional development, and social skills. Most importantly for her: because of the extended services, Erin can grow at her own pace without worry that if she still needs more time to grow into her goodness and independence upon graduation from LDI, she can still stay connected and supported by staff who know her strengths, concerns, and skills.
Prior to her enrollment into LDI, our shy daughter struggled socially with peers, because she rarely initiated conversations or knew how to maintain them. Everyone notices and comments how she initiates and carries conversations now. All three of us attribute that to her new-found confidence, hope, and skill. Though we miss her, we celebrate that our daughter is finally living the life she knew she could, “if only,” which has now arrived in LDI.
LDI has been a successful transition from Wilderness Therapy. LDI has a great staff always who is willing to work with individual students and push them on achieving goals. LDI offers lots of support for students who have not been on their own and students like me who need assistance getting putting their foot in the door looking for employment. My personal goal to achieve at LDI I hope to find a vocation program that I have an interest in while taking college courses of interest.
~ 1st year student
“Our son joined the LDI school/support group/”family” in 1992 when he was 21 and had two years of post-high school education, but no post high school degree. He needed help in living independently in the real world, without Mom and Dad helping (interfering?). LDI provided that support and was truly a “life development” resource for our son. Now 20 years later, living independently and holding down a job (albeit entry level), he still stops by once or twice a month for a “reality check” and some sound advice that he accepts from LDI but would still not accept from us. LDI has been a “game changer” for our son and we would recommend it highly to parents whose children need a special environment.”
~Parents of Former LDI Student