Brett Hipsher Success Story

Brett Hipsher - Achiever of the Year

Brett Hipsher is a gentleman with great talents that have, at times, been hidden due to some mental health issues. He wouldn’t take his meds, eat properly and would make some poor decisions about his life. These poor decisions led his IDT to think about moving him to a more restrictive environment in order to keep him safe. Through the help of his IDT and a couple of good providers, Brett has taken control of his life and has been hired at a new job, which he has successfully maintained.

Brett Hipsher is a 41 year old male who is described as friendly, outgoing and street savvy. Being a dual diagnosed individual with mental health issues, he has had some tough battles to get to where he is today. Prior to receiving the State Supported Living Services, Brett was living on the streets. He was alone, not able to eat regularly, unable to obtain the medications he needed, ran into some trouble with the law and got into some other unsafe situations. Today, Brett has turned his life around and is a Carmel success story!

Brett, with the assistance of his two providers who help him in his home and around town, is a perfect example of what a person with developmental disabilities can achieve. In that last year, Brett has learned not only why he needs to live in a safe environment, but how to create one in his own apartment. It is clean and inviting, the cupboards and refrigerator both have food in them, and he has shown a desire to keep it that way.

In the community Brett is no longer running afoul of the law. He is safe and making better decisions in his life. He is taking his medications on a regular basis and is even remembering to eat. He has come such a long way and is finally admitting that he still has a ways to go. He has always been a very likeable man, but he has now mixed this with a new found sense of responsibility. It truly is amazing to behold his accomplishments.

The achievements are not just around the home and community. In 2006, Brett got a job at Mount Saint Francis, a regular skill nursing retirment community and home for retired nuns and clergymen in Colorado Springs, working in their kitchen. His employment consultant has reported that the people Brett works for and with, not only like him, but find him to be a valuable asset and important part of their organization. Brett will remind you with pride that he has had this job for over a year now, which continues to show his attitude and hard work are simply amazing.

Brett has dreams for his future like owning a condominium, having total control of his own financial affairs, staying out of trouble with the law and taking his medications consistently (even when he thinks he does not need them anymore). Brett also wants to find the love of his life, have healthy relationships with friends and to be just like people without disabilities. He looks forward to the future and desires to keep his services, but mostly, he desires to be safe, healthy and live in the community. With his continued hard work, he can achieve his dreams.