Saying I Can to You Can't

When she isn’t changing perspectives, Carley Lefthand-Irvine is changing lives

On Sept. 13, 28-year-old Charlene Lefthand-Irvine of Polson was acknowledged by the University of Montana Rural Institute as an emerging leader in the community. The award, given to Montanans under the age of 34 with a developmental disability, recognized Charlene, or Carley to those close to her, as an outstanding individual for what she’s done not just in her life, but in the lives of others, some of whom she’s never met.

Carley, a quadriplegic, was taken in as a foster child by Corinne Irvine, a developmental disabilities provider, when she was just nine months old. Growing up, Carley struggled, relying on a computer to help communicate and a wheelchair to move about. Corinne, who has had 32 children come through her home at one point or another, has been there every step of the way for Carley. When she wasn’t working her multiple jobs, Corinne spent hours upon hours taking care of Carley. In return, Carley helped change Corinne’s life.

“Will I take the time to give my life to this particular child?” Corinne asked herself. “I made the choice and that’s good for her and for me. What I gained out of that is that Carley taught me everything I needed to know about what was lacking in me. She taught me patience, forgiveness, long-suffering; things that we study the Bible for: unconditional love, how to bear beyond the unbearable.”

That testimony is a shining example of what Carley has done for the lives of others, but it doesn’t nearly complete her impact on individuals far and wide.

During her adolescent years, Carley was told by some people that a few of her goals, such as living on her own or holding a job, couldn’t be done. Even writing down words on paper, a simple task many take for granted every day of their lives, seemed like a far-fetched possibility to those who saw Carley back then.

Yet one by one, Carley turned those “can’ts” into “cans.”

Through the use of a computerized talker, Carley actively communicates with people. On her screen, two pages of greetings, responses to greetings and other conversational items reside, giving Carley a chance to speak.

“She has a voice,” Corinne said. “It may be in a box, but it’s still her voice.”

That voice has been heard loud and clear, especially by those nay-sayers.

Carley worked a couple jobs in high school before gaining employment at Wal-Mart, helping stock shelves. From there, she decided to design calendars from home, bedazzling them with photos and phrases.

That home is her own. Carley and Corinne spent years preparing for her to become self-sufficient, but it wasn’t until they satisfied the requests of Adult Protective Services and Tribal APS that Carley officially achieved another of her lifelong goals. Carley was put through occupational, physical, speech and psychological assessments to be able to live on her own, which she passed. Emergency precautions are in place at all times, allowing Carley not just the chance to live on her own, but to live safely.

“People don’t realize it, but people with disabilities are supposed to have the opportunity to take the same risks as we all take,” Corinne said. “If there’s a fire, the house will burn down. If you can’t get out, then you burn alive. It is what people take for granted every day of their lives, but you would be amazed how people get involved when someone’s in a wheelchair and can’t get out of the bed. We had a big, picture window put in with a sliding window so that the fire officers can pull her straight out of her bed upon arrival. They don’t have to wait to enter the house; they can get her out of the house.”

In addition, Corinne lives next door to Carley and both are equipped with a high-powered, two-way, 24-hour intercom. At night, it’s as if the two are sleeping in the same room.

Beyond those goals, Carley is approaching another that is very important to her: attending Salish Kootenai College to study graphics. As recently as two and a half years ago, that seemed like a longshot, as Carley was told that writing out letters couldn’t be done. However, when Carley is told ‘no,’ it’s just another chance to prove others wrong. She started out with big letters, but is quickly working toward writing on paper.

“To be able to control the paper and have a clipboard and have it so she can write and do her work in college is wonderful,” Corinne said.

After that, the only roadblock standing in her way is the Test for Adult Basic Education, which Carley is progressing toward nicely, thanks to her development in mathematics.

Through it all, Carley has had a dramatic impact on the city of Polson, its surrounding communities and the rest of the country. She’s serving her second term on the Board of Directors for the Montana Transition Training, Information and Resource Center, where she’s done educational talks on the Internet to school districts nationwide, helping disabled individuals make the transitions from grade school to high school to living independently. She’s also an advocate for making changes in Polson and around the area to make the community more wheelchair accessible.

“One of the dreams we have is that the parks will be made inclusive in our community so that they have a sidewalk which runs through so a wheelchair can access the entire park,” Corinne said. “That is a very important thing because we have sandy patches where a wheelchair will sink and then they’re stuck. With a beautiful place like Flathead Lake, this place should be accessible for all people with disabilities, old and young, so those people can go enjoy the nature that is there.”

Not solely because of her contributions, but also her resolve and zest for life, Carley was honored as an Emerging Leader.

“It spotlights more people being recognized for their abilities rather than their disabilities,” Corinne said.

Carley’s abilities are ever-present and her impact in everything she does is obvious to those who know her.

“She’s outgoing and she cares about the outcomes in our society,” Corinne said. “We talk politically about what’s happening, not just to people with disabilities but people on the reservation who are poor and the disadvantages they have to live with, which makes her compassionate. She has an understanding of the world and how it runs.

People are moved when they see a person like Carley.”

As far as on a personal level, Corinne’s words touch the heart even deeper.

“When she wakes up in the morning, it’s still and quiet in the house,” Corinne said. “When she opens her eyes, it’s like the sun comes up in this house. She brings the element of life to where she is with her beauty and her inner strength.

You’re living with an angel.”

When asked how it felt to be honored with her award, Carley glanced at her computer, taking little time to find the right word, as if she’s done it a thousand times.

“Happy,” Carley said.

Judging by her outlook on life and the influence she’s made on those around her, it’s no wonder she was so quick to come up with that response.