Hear Our Stories

The Marin Center for Independent Living has touched the lives of many in the community. Please take the time to read all of these wonderful success stories

Scroll down to see our list of success stories and click on "Read More…" to read the entire testimony from that individual.

“The Marin Center for Independent Living has been a huge comfort!”

- Nicole Follin

When I was 19, I was an honor roll student in my sophomore year of college at Virginia Tech. Without any warning I had a brain hemorrhage that left me in a coma for 3½ weeks. Read More…

“…Larry would be re-entering his community and work life…”

- Lana Kennings

When my husband became suddenly disabled last year due to an epidural abscess on his cervical spinal cord, resulting in a complete paralysis, we were completely overwhelmed… Read More…

“…with his help I was walking
at my son’s wedding!”

- Richard Queirolo

My name is Richard Queirolo. I am 65 years old and I live in Novato, California. I had a massive stroke in 2003. I was in ICU for three weeks and was not responding… Read More…

“Without assistance, I wouldn't have been able to pursue my interests.”

- Shoshana Brand

This is me in my home in San Rafael, California with my friend, Dara Kaufman-LeDonne, who helps me out when I need it. We just finished hosting a playwriting group… Read More…

Financial aid provided for man
with hearing loss.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

A consumer dropped by to comment on the recent hearing aid donations we provided to him. "They've changed my life!" Although Kaiser provided a hearing test… Read More…

Institutionalization was avoided
for elderly woman.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

An overweight, frail, elderly resident was unable to walk and was without attendant care at various times during the day. She had fallen frequently while attempting to transfer… Read More…

Senior on scooter glad to
take out the trash.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

We recently provided a new MCIL senior consumer with a recycled scooter. She subsequently called us to express her great appreciation for this equipment. Read More…

…able to return to El Salvador
to see her children…

- Josie Sanchez, Marin CIL

A 49 year old Hispanic woman had been working as a domestic in Marin for a number of years before she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Read More…

“I want to learn everything so I can live without a caregiver.”

- Scott Pope

I was a 37 year old drummer in December of 2004. I was riding my bicycle in San Francisco when I got run over by a car and went through the window. Read More…

“Greg's biggest fear is ending up
in a nursing home.”

- Jan Papedo

Greg had been a practicing psychologist for thirty years when he started getting sick back in 2001. He couldn’t catch his breath and his blood pressure medications weren't working. Read More…

“…I continue to go to the MCIL for the weekly peer support…”

- Joseph Wagner

After my diving accident in August 2001 in Mendocino County, I went from one hospital to another until I finally ended up in seven different nursing homes where they left me… Read More…

Elderly woman receives
air conditioner.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

One of our consumers, frail and elderly, suffered a recent hip fracture and needed an air conditioner during her extended recovery to help cool her intolerably hot apartment. Read More…

Hip surgery patient
provided with a lift.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

Another consumer requested funding assistance in connection with a patient lift to help with transfers following hip surgery. We happened to have a patient lift… Read More…

Recycled power wheelchair enhances quality of life.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

The wife of a frail, elderly man called recently, asking if she could borrow a power wheelchair from Marin CIL’s recycled medical equipment inventory. Read More…

Surgery avoided
for a young child.

- Roland Rouda, Marin CIL

A low-income mother living in the community approached us for funding assistance in connection with a therapeutic tricycle for her 7-year-old son. Read More…

Disabled runner wins right to
compete in the Olympics.

- SFGate.com, Associated Press

Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal Friday and can compete for a place in the Beijing Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the 21-year-old… Read More…