For Disabled, It’s a Chance for a New Life

As his beige T-shirt proudly proclaimed Friday, Brian Barnes is “Roughin’ It” these days.

At 23, he has his own one-bedroom apartment, a water bed and a fine stereo. And the ‘fridge is stocked with beer, milk, TV dinners and frozen pizza--the essentials for any free-wheeling bachelor. All he’s looking for is a few women to help him blow off steam and be the recipients of his immense charm.

But Barnes--confined to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy--is strictly on his own for the first time in his life.

He is one of a score of people who have moved into quaint apartments at Casas del Rio, a 40-unit complex built in Orange specifically for low-income, disabled residents. The facility, built mostly with a $2.5-million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was dedicated Friday.

Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton), the keynote speaker, told 200 people gathered outside the complex at La Veta and Tustin avenues that the new facility will give disabled people a chance at a more stable--and typical--life style.

“This facility gives them the ability to compete in their own peer group,” the congressman said.

‘Got a Lot to Do’

After Mayor Jess Perez and one of the residents cut a red ribbon to formally open the facility, Barnes entertained a host of visitors in his small apartment.

He first apologized for the mess, although the place was clean enough.

“I still got a lot to do. I’m still unpacking,” said Barnes, who moved into his ground-level apartment 10 days ago.

Before he moved, Barnes lived with his mother in Anaheim. He is proud of his apartment, which is equipped with low counters, wide doors and other features that improve access for wheelchair-bound people.

“I think it’s about time for something like this. It’s just so much easier and it’s nice to live with other nice people in the building,” Barnes said and added wistfully: “I just wish there were more women in the building.”

The apartment complex has 10 so-called efficiency units, five two-bedroom apartments and 25 one-bedroom residences. Rents range from $536 to $743 a month. But residents pay just 30%. HUD grants cover the remainder.

Maintain Their Own

The facility is operated by the Rehabilitation Institute of Southern California. Kathleen Peck, a spokeswoman for the private, nonprofit organization, said the 55,000-square-foot facility should be fully occupied by month’s end.

Residents furnish and maintain their own apartments. The facility has a small park, a therapeutic pool and vocational training classrooms.

For Barnes, having his own apartment is the culmination of a dream.

“I usually do pretty well because I don’t think too much about my condition,” he said. “I can walk a little. I know a lot of people who are much worse off than me. This is really a good deal for me.”

Barnes is so much at home in his own place that his mother, who visits about twice a week, is envious.

“Shoot, this is better than my Mom’s place,” he said. “I think she wants to move in with me.”