Why I Decided to Start a Microboard

        My name is Lorri Mabry.  I was born with Cerebral Palsy, which affected my body and my ability to do the activities of daily living but not my mind or ability to think or to know what I want.  When I started college I used an agency which hired my caregivers for me.  At first I liked this because I didn’t have to worry about hiring or firing my care givers. Soon I found out that I was not controlling my caregiver’s services. It was up to the agency to hire who ever they liked. Even  if a caregiver had a bad attitude with other clients, but if she worked well with you the agency just fired her with out asking for your opinion. 

        One time my scheduler put a caregiver she took off of another client’s case from leaving him five hours at night when he has overnight service, on my case for an overnight shift. I think she should have been fired from the agency but instead my scheduler just put one of my good caregivers on his case and put his bad caregiver on my case without asking for my opinion.  The worst thing with the agency was that the manager told the caregivers to never leave me alone without me signing a form. 

        The agency asks my caregivers to go to other clients on my time. The agency charged both of our Vocational Rehabilitation  cases with the state.  The agency threatened to change the rules and take my favorite caregiver. The agency I was with made their caregivers sign a contract saying the caregiver will not work with any of their clients besides in agency for two years.

        In 2002 I heard a speech about micro boards. I thought that is so cool people can finally have control over who they hire or fire. I like having the circle of friends! My micro board is  made up of my family and a friend. I like to see them every month and I like that they are helping me to make my decisions.                        

        I can’t wait to get my Microboard running and I cannot wait until I get my own business started!