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ADULT STORIES
Paul’s Story
 Home Sweet Home. Paul wasn't so sure he would feel that way about Memphis House when he moved into the brand new group home in the spring of 2005. Memphis House, located on Memphis Avenue in Brooklyn, was built by Northcoast Community Homes and is one of two group homes operated by United Cerebral Palsy.
'I remember when Paul came to see the house for the first time,' said Elizabeth Martinez, home manager. 'He was very resistant about moving into Memphis. He wanted to know if he could have a 30-day trial period and move back to his apartment if he didn't like it.'
Elizabeth assured Paul he could always find another apartment if the group living arrangement didn't work. She promised to be honest and asked for the same in return. 'Paul reminds me of our agreement all the time,' said Elizabeth.
Although he doesn't speak aloud, Paul, who has traumatic brain injury, communicates with a notebook computer attached to his wheelchair. Quite the chatterbox, he types what he wants to say, and a built-in speech synthesizer reproduces audibly.
'Paul is an amazing human being,' Elizabeth said. He is very caring of his housemates, lending his communication device to one roommate and continuously translating for another.
Since moving to Memphis House, he has made remarkable physical and emotional progress. He no longer has to leave the comfort of home to receive medical care in a nursing facility, something he did constantly when living in his own apartment. Paul feels that the house offers the nursing care he needs in a homelike environment he craves.
'Paul brings light to Memphis House,' Elizabeth commented. 'He has a special spice in him and with it he seasons our lives every day. With his sense of humor, courage, desire for life and adventurous will power, he teaches us and makes us analyze ourselves and our lives each and every day.'
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