Lisa: Determined to Live Life Her Way

When asked about her greatest accomplishment, APSI client Lisa, doesn’t hesitate. For years, she dreamed of having a place of her own and living as independently as possible. The journey wasn’t always easy, and there were times when it seemed that goal might remain out of reach. But Lisa never stopped advocating for herself, and today she proudly lives in her own apartment with the companion she had always hoped for, her beloved dog, Lilly. 

“I failed so many times in my life,” Lisa reflected. “I kept on fighting for what I wanted.” 

That determination has helped Lisa build a life that reflects her own choices and priorities. Lisa has Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic condition that can present significant lifelong challenges and require ongoing support. Rather than allowing those challenges, or other people’s expectations, to define what her life could look like, Lisa has continued working toward greater independence, community involvement, and the things that bring her happiness. 

For the past decade, APSI Protective Service Representative Dean Zwayer has been part of that journey. Dean describes his role simply: advocating for what he knew would help Lisa be happy and successful. Two of Lisa’s biggest goals, moving into her own apartment and getting a dog, were things she had wanted for a long time. 

With Lisa making her wishes clear, Dean and the rest of her support team worked to help make those goals possible. Her provider ultimately located an income-based apartment where Lisa could live with the supports she needed, and Dean continued advocating for Lisa’s desire to have a dog even as members of the team worked through understandable concerns about the additional responsibility. 

“The team was a little concerned about Lisa getting a dog, but it has worked out well and she absolutely loves Lilly,” Dean said. He added that, for Lisa, Lilly was “the icing on the cake.” 

Their experience reflects an important part of APSI’s approach to guardianship and advocacy: listening to what a person says they want for their own life and working with their support network to determine how those goals can be achieved safely and successfully. Lisa’s apartment and her relationship with Lilly are not simply milestones chosen for her, they are the parts of the life Lisa chose for herself. 

Lisa now extends that same spirit of advocacy to others. As an APSI Advocacy Ambassador, she encourages her peers to share their experiences, preferences, and perspectives. APSI Intake and Services Coordinator Shirella Walls describes Lisa as both a leader and a trusted friend to her fellow Ambassadors. Whether she is speaking up for herself or encouraging someone else to use their voice, Lisa demonstrates what self-advocacy can look like in everyday life. 

This year, Lisa was also honored with the TJ Jackson Forever Friends Award, recognizing the impact she has had on those around her. When she is not advocating alongside her peers, Lisa enjoys spending time with Lilly, completing jigsaw puzzles, attending community events, and participating in Special Olympics. 

Lisa’s story demonstrates what can happen when determination is met with the right support. Her accomplishments are uniquely her own, but having people willing to listen, advocate, and help turn her goals into possibilities has allowed Lisa to continue defining success for herself and building the full, independent life she has long envisioned.