A Group for Adults with Disabilities Gathers for Fun, Friendship
by Beth
I am pleased to introduce Molly Wiesman as a guest blogger today. Molly has a long history with Easterseals, having received speech, physical and occupational therapy at Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley from the time she was six months old until she turned eight. Molly served as an Associate Board Member at Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley from 2011 to 2014 and has volunteered with various outreach groups there as well.
By Molly Wiesman
CDFF’s next event is Sunday, March 26.
I am 31 years old, and I have cerebral palsy. Since I have a disability, it may not surprise you that one of my interests for years has been connecting with other people with disabilities. And so the idea came to me: Maybe there’s a group out there with the sole purpose of helping people with disabilities find other PWDs to socialize with. Perhaps there were others out there like me who wanted this as well.
So I tried to find a group like this. I looked on Meetup.com hoping to find someone else’s group with these kind of goals, but no such group existed.
That’s when I got my idea. In my own life there was a definite lack of structured social opportunities for people with disabilities, so I set out to form my own group. Last December I started a monthly social group specifically for adults with disabilities. I called the group Chicago Disability Friends and Fun, or CDFF.
So far, CDFF has hosted two events. One was bowling, and the other was going out for coffee. And now, this Sunday, March 26, 2017 we will be going to Happy Apple Pie Shop in a Chicago suburb called Oak Park. Happy Apple Pie Shop not only sells pie, but is also a supportive work environment for people with intellectual disabilities.
We also have plans to attend a performance by solo performers with disabilities. The performance is produced by Tellin’ Tales Theatre, a group dedicated to shattering the barriers between the disabled and able-bodied worlds. Tentative summer plans for the group include seeing fireworks at Navy Pier and other fun activities!
Chicago Disability Friends and Fun has a strong presence on social media. CDFF is on Meetup.com, and we are on Facebook too. Anyone 21 and over who has a disability can join by searching Chicago Disability Friends and Fun on either of those websites and asking to join the group. You can also email me directly with questions at chicagodisabilityff@gmail.com. New members are always welcome!
October 3rd, 2022 at 5:54 am
Is there anyone here from WI. I am 36 years old now and have a mild cogntive disablities. It really hard to find social events clubs and meet new people. If anyone knows any social clubs in WI please let me know thanks so much.
July 31st, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Hello. My name is Rotrice Smith. I have Cerebral Palsy. I just feel so hopeless about finding a job or career that I can really enjoy something that is meaningful in every way.
May 18th, 2022 at 1:30 pm
I wanted to know if I could post a fun improv
Comedy event that will be happening at Guttys Southdale June 15 and 16th for people with disabilities
February 14th, 2022 at 5:44 pm
Hi my name is Heather Carson. I have cp and I was wondering if anyone knows of support groups in northfield Ohio. Summit county area.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:44 pm
Hi my name is Heather Carson. I have cp and I was wondering if anyone knows of support groups in northfield Ohio. Summit county area. I have come to the realization working is to much for me and I want to volunteer somewhere near where I am located. Thank you!
September 13th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
Is this site even working still?
June 18th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
Do you know of a group of disabled adults with MS ? I am 70 years old and have no one that understands what I am going through. Would like to talk to someone in New Brunswick or close to NB to support in friendship.
May 24th, 2021 at 5:54 am
Evonne hi from Julie A what your disability. And are you from WI
May 23rd, 2021 at 9:44 pm
Hello,
This in response to Julie A. How can we correspond?
Thank you.
April 21st, 2021 at 1:05 pm
I am a 36 year old Army veteran who has TBI and uses a wheelchair. I am looking for a social group for other young adults who have physical disabilities. I live in Geneva, IL
April 1st, 2021 at 5:38 am
Hey I am Julie and I am 35 years old with a mild cognitive disability. Trying to make new friends. From the Wisconsin. Is there any social groups out there or programs or a group on zoom. It really hard to make new friends when you are older.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
My name is Sandra and I am Sarah’s care taker. She is non verbal however would benefit enormously from interaction with other people can can more easily relate to. This is our first attempt at this. I appreciate any assistance you can offer. Sarah is very lonely and her virtual program is not meeting the Social need aspect that is so fundamental to being a human being. Thank you again so much. Sandra & Sarah
December 9th, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Hello my name is Bria,
Are there any virtual Groups for adults with learning disabilities?
October 4th, 2020 at 10:17 am
Looking for a group in Minneapolis, Mn for fun gatherings like bowling,movies etc..
September 19th, 2020 at 9:47 am
hi my name is kristen tully, I am 47 lookfor social groups with the disability of developmentdailed. I like to go for walks bike shop go out to eat and go the movies. I live in South Portland maine.
August 12th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Hi,I am 49 years old. 2 time stroke survivor and now l’m looking for a job. My brain still works and I can communicate well on the telephone. My left hand is a little slower than my right. I would love to speak with someone at your earliest convenience.
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Angela Taylor
312.837.5805
November 22nd, 2019 at 5:11 pm
Hello my name is trevion I suffer from a tramatic brain injury. I am 24. The only friends I have are my family. I would like to find people to socialize with in my age group and also with the type of disBility I have. Really just want to have friends to hang out with ND do fun activities. I would also like to one day go on a date.
September 7th, 2019 at 11:33 am
I’m an individual with a closed head injury. I’m 30 yrs post trama. I belong to local groups for head I jury survivors and was just looking here to see if there was some sort of a group on the internet I could join and share life’s everyday challenges and triumphs. Just to feel some one understands
May 29th, 2019 at 5:31 am
i am looking for a (fun outings and activities( group /program, that my son can join here in san antonio,tx. please if you have any information pertaining to my requests please send it my way.. thank you for all of your time and effort, sincerely alexandria and randy
April 29th, 2019 at 9:57 am
I am 21 and have cerebral palsy. I live in Middletown Orange County. I am interested in forming a social group.
February 24th, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Looking for a group like this near Glendora California! I have a 24 year old
With CP.
November 6th, 2018 at 8:28 am
Hello. I have a 31 year old son who has CP. he has been looking for an adult group who he can socialize with We live outside of Philadelphia and would appreciate any help we could get. Thank you and looking forward to
Hearing back from you
October 19th, 2018 at 5:40 pm
My brother is 50 years old. He has just a small about of cerebral palsy. He needs friends. He needs social activities.My brother drives, lives movies, Zumba, swimming, etc. We live in Colorado Springs. Does anyone know of a social group here. How would I go about starting infer or finding friends that he could socialize with? Please help.
September 24th, 2018 at 5:53 am
My daughter is 27 and has memory delay she is in desparate need of some social behavior she is feeling alone
July 3rd, 2018 at 7:28 am
Do you know of any kind of this type of support group in the Atlanta area, especially young adults with cerebral palsy.
Jean Candido
(850) 284-8489
Atlanta, Georgia
April 30th, 2018 at 6:53 pm
I’m 66 in a chair, also Mild CP, visually impaired, EP which makes it harder for me to socialize because I can’t be near Fluresent lights, live in the Sacramento area, know of anything, your right there is nothing on meet up. Thanks.
March 25th, 2018 at 10:33 am
I am a 31-year old with cerebral palsy. Looking for groups in the Clearwater Florida area that gather for bowling shopping or just coffee and talk. Please contact me if you know of a group. Thank you Kelly
April 3rd, 2017 at 6:31 pm
I am 60 years old and I have two cochlear implants. Someone ne told me that you help people get jobs. I’d like to arrange a meeting with the right person to discuss the possibility.
It is easier for me to communicate by text or email. Phone is didficut. So please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Donna Saunders
979-250-1655
Austin resident