Q & A with Nickie C.
Nickie recently furnished her home at Bridging. She also recalls her family donating to Bridging when she was younger.
When Bridging’s community engagement coordinator visited her faith community this fall and talked about the Bridging experience, Nickie was bubbling with excitement, ready to share her positive experience with everyone!
She reached out to us to share her story with hopes of getting more people connected to Bridging as donors, volunteers, or recipients of the furniture bank’s services.
Here is Nickie’s Bridging story!
Q: How did you get connected with Bridging?
A: “There are many ways that people get connected with Bridging. This is my first time living on my own. I have a disability and chronic health problems. My family has helped me a lot. When I got my own place and needed help, it was good not to ask family for as much. Anoka County [a Bridging agency Partner] helped me secure housing and a referral to Bridging.”
Q: What did you hope for in a furnished home?
A: “I wanted to create a place that is peaceful and comfortable for me. As a blind person, I wanted to feel proud of the place I’m living in.
This is a sensitive point for me. I think sighted people may not always think blind people can decorate their homes. I want my home to feel comfortable for me and look good for sighted people who come in.
I had a little vision when I was young. I could see light and bright colors — blues and greens were my favorite. I wanted to have a lot of blues and greens in my home. I love to imagine the ocean. It feels peaceful. The blues and greens remind me of that.”
Q: What did you like most about your Bridging experience?
A: “I liked being able to go to Bridging myself and select the items I wanted and needed. I came in and it was almost like going to a store. Everyone was so nice. My worker was with me. The volunteers were so helpful. They were willing to describe things. I could touch things.
Truly, I was pleasantly surprised to feel that level of dignity, that feeling of ‘we’re happy to have you here.’ I explained that standing was difficult. They carried a folding chair for me. They wanted me to be comfortable. They cared about me. They cared about the smile on my face.
It was awesome, I can’t come up with better words. It was empowering to choose what I wanted and needed.”
Q: What are some of your favorite or unexpected finds at Bridging?
A: “I found a glider. To have a rocking chair is helpful if I’m feeling anxious. It helps me feel calm and relaxed.
I got a tall chair for my kitchen, so I can sit at the kitchen sink or counter. With chronic pain, this helpful addition is huge.
I found bins to organize my bathroom. Knowing where things are is so important. If you’re blind, and something is two inches away from where you expect, it’s an item you don’t have.
I also found a beautiful blue and green quilt that reminds me of the ocean.
These little things are the big things. I want people to know this when they are thinking about what to donate. These final touches make all the difference.”
Q: How does a furnished home impact your life?
A: “Moving to my apartment has been so great for my relationships with my family. As an adult with a disability, living in your parents’ home can be hard for both the person and their family members. Living on my own is empowering.
I’ve had a few people come in, and they’ve said ‘yours is the nicest apartment in the building.’
“It’s like my safe place. It’s a space that is peaceful. I can be proud of this!”
Q: How does a furnished home give you stability to pursue your passions?
A: “I can do what I want when it is most effective for me because I have my own place and a quiet environment. I diffuse essential oils, and it makes a huge difference in my pain. I’m a wellness advocate, and I write blogs about my experience to help others. Living with chronic pain can be more disabling than blindness. I want people to know that they are not alone. It gives me a high to help people. ”