By Denise Lana,
Brian Shilling, left, with roommate Donald Janechek, show off their Thanksgiving turkey decoration in the front yard of their house. Shilling’s family purchased the house in 2011 and worked with Opportunity Homes Inc to transform it into a home for individuals with a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Denise Lana)
Born in California in 1973 to Sherry and the late Larry Schilling, Brian Schilling was like any other baby. But when he was 2 1/2 years old, he started having bouts of shivering and losing control of his bodily functions. Doctors diagnosed him with a rare seizure disorder; a prognosis that, according to his mother, Sherry Schilling, the doctors insisted would result in Brian regressing to a state of incapacitation.
“We couldn’t control his seizures, and he had to wear a protective helmet for when he would flail and fall to the ground,” explained Sherry.
Despite this grim setback, as he grew, Brian defied the doctors’ expectations.
“He went on to be in special classes, he learned how to ride a bike and he learned how to swim,” Sherry expressed. “He was able to do all those things we didn’t think he would be able to do!”
Brian remained at home with his parents, and after his father Larry retired from his job with AT&T, Brian’s sister Sherri, who is five years older, married and took a job at Gundersen hospital in Decorah and soon after had a child. Larry and Sherry, with Brian in tow, decided they wanted to move from the western United States, closer to daughter Sherri and their grandchild. They bought and moved into a house in “The Flats” of Decorah in 2004. Brian, at 31 years old, continued to flourish, mastering taking showers, dressing himself and other simple daily tasks.
But after a few years passed, Sherry and Larry knew Brian needed more than they could offer.
“Larry and I were both getting older, and even though his sister lives in town and could take care of him, we wanted to get Brian into a group home so he would be independently stable and comfortable,” explained Sherry. “We wanted him to be taken care of outside of the family.”
In 2011, Brian’s caseworker reached out to Sherry and Larry and told them about Opportunity Homes Incorporated, a non-profit human service agency in Decorah that provides housing for adults with various disabilities. Larry and Sherry worked with OHI to get a house situated for Brian, going so far as to purchase a four-bedroom house a block from their home.
“We amended the house to fit the needs of OHI clients,” Sherry said. “It has four bedrooms and a room for an office area for staff, and each OHI client rents a room and shares the common areas.”
The house was approved by OHI and Brian moved in, joined in short order by three fellow OHI clients who were closely-vetted and paired up to ensure a harmonious, synchronous living environment. Sherry and Larry were comforted knowing Brian was in a safe home with an OHI caregiver on-site, 24 hours a day.
“Some of the staff who worked in the home with Brian when he first moved in are still there,” according to Sherry. “The staff work so well with him and the other boys!”
Staff at OHI work closely with each client to give him or her as normal a life as possible. Clients go grocery shopping, to restaurants, local events and celebrations. Brian rides horses every week as part of Thunder Rode Therapeutic Riding program in Decorah. “Brian goes to the movies two or three times a month and has dinner at a local place at least once a week,” said Sherry. “The staff really tries to get them out and socializing as much as possible.”
Often, Brian’s staff takes him to other OHI houses, where he can socialize and watch a movie or eat with fellow clients. If the fair is in town, clients can go. For a client’s birthday, staff go all out to celebrate. “The staff invites all the houses, and they go to a restaurant and have a big party!” exclaimed Sherry. “The staff is very good about getting them together to have cake and celebrate.”
Many of the clients at OHI have jobs in the area, with assistance from local job coaching organizations. Brian has worked for 15 years at WinnMed, where he washes dishes.
“He has a job coach from Choice (Employment Services), and every once in a while, he needs a little guidance,” Sherry said. “I have been very happy with Choice! Working with OHI and Choice is great! They are both so excellent to deal with.”
At home, Brian and his roommates enjoy cooking and decorating together. One staff member is passionate about getting the boys to help decorate the yard for each holiday.
“I like Christmas and Thanksgiving!” Brian gleefully exclaimed, standing next to the newly-purchased decorative inflatable turkey in his front yard. Pointing to roommate Donald Janechek, Brian added, “Donald’s thing is Halloween! I don’t hand out candy, I just do the decorating!”
In the kitchen, Donald and Brian discuss their favorite food with dayshift staff member, Abby Howard.
Howard, who loves to cook with her clients and has worked with OHI for 3 1/2 years, beamed when discussing her job. “I love what I do! I love getting them out of their normal routine.” Howard continued, “If I let Donald do what he wanted, he would come home from work, eat and be on his computer! Brian would watch HGTV and the cooking channel!”
“We had chicken bacon ranch pasta two weeks ago,” Howard commented. “We also did English muffin pizzas. Brian loves stir fry! Donald is more of a mashed potato and meat and pasta type of guy.”
Like tailoring meals to suit each client’s likes and needs, OHI staff works to make the houses more personal for each client. Brian’s room is colorfully decorated with race car memorabilia and Spiderman, while Donald, who loves tractors, had one of his bedroom walls painted John Deere green.
With 55 staff members, nine houses and 60 clients in Winneshiek and Howard Counties, OHI is continuously seeking new team members to help meet their clients’ needs. For more information, visit www.opportunityhomes.org or call the main office at 563-382-8140.
“I have been very pleased with the OHI program here! They have done a great job taking care of Brian,” Sherry declared. “It is such a great relationship.”
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