After spending years in and out of institutions, Calvin Robertson now enjoys a steady job, transportation and his own home. DDSD Case Manager Tina Moore, a 13-year OKDHS employee, saw the Shawnee, Okla., man's potential and possibilities.
When Tina Moore, Developmental Disabilities Services Division case manager, met Calvin Robertson six years ago, she asked the middle-aged man, who had lived in institutions since age 3, what he needed. He said he wanted to be left alone and to have a life.
“I said, ‘Okay, call me when you need me,’” said Moore, who’s worked for OKDHS 13 years.
Three weeks later, Robertson called Moore. It was not only the beginning of Robertson’s move toward independence and self-sufficiency, but also the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Robertson has traumatic brain injury and seizure disorder due to severe child abuse. The Department removed and separated Robertson and his three sisters when they were young. The three girls found families, but Robertson lived in institutions throughout the state until six years ago.
“He has excellent coordination skills and was a really good candidate for a community placement if he could get his behavior controlled,” said Moore, who’s been Robertson’s case manager since he moved to Shawnee in 1999. “That was the challenge. He didn’t have any control over his life and would get really angry. Then he would be given more and more medication. He would ram his head against the wall.”
Moore, though, saw beneath the anger – she saw lots of pain and also lots of possibilities. Through the DDSD Community Waiver Program, Moore has worked with Robertson on anger management issues, accessing resources and believing in himself.
“I saw the potential,” said Moore, “even when he didn’t. And now he is.”
Robertson works 30 hours a week at a sheltered workshop in Shawnee.
“I love my job,” said Robertson.
He rides to work on a red, motorized, four-wheel bike provided by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
“I’ve been wanting one my whole life,” he said.
In the spring 2006, Robertson signed the mortgage on a new two-bedroom house. A steady job and good credit helped him qualify for the house through the Shawnee Urban Renewal Authority and the Shawnee Housing Authority.
While Robertson enjoys his accomplishments, he especially enjoys sharing his life with Buddy, a four-year-old shih-tzu that he adopted through an animal rescue program.
“Calvin had been saved and he needed to save Buddy,” said Moore. “He needed to be needed. He has to think about how his actions – by getting angry at work and losing his job, for instance – affect Buddy.”
“I always make sure Buddy has food and gets his shots,” said Robertson. “When I’m upset, I just hug him. He’s all I’ve got.”
Though Robertson might call Moore at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning because he’s bored, Moore trusts and appreciates his gentle humor and loving spirit.
“He may be a client,” said Moore, “but he’s also a good friend.”