Meet Ann Oven.  This enthusiastic IRIS Consultant just won an award.  She was one of the first of about 40 people in the TMG part of Magellan to receive the first recognition for Customer Experience/Living the Brand.  They developed seven core brand attributes that consultants need to obtain and work by: Genuine, Responsive, Accountable, Available, Adoptive, Relational, Collaborative, Accessible, Proactive and Creative.  Ann encourages people to be creative and to dare to dream.  She enjoys watching people light up when they start discovering life’s possibilities.  She believes nothing is impossible.  We are so fortunate to have Ann as a member of the Network!      

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network? 

Ann has been an IRIS Consultant with TMG/Magellan for five years.  She joined the Network to stay informed about self-direction, work strategies for people who self-direct, and to hear the latest about concerns and legislation.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you  (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination? 

Ann explains that she loves to see the light in the eyes of people when they start to think of life’s possibilities and how the IRIS program can partner with them to enable them to have the life that they want.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined? 

Ann encourages people to “dare to dream.”  She explains that people should be creative and brainstorm with their IRIS consultant.  “ASK!  Don’t assume that the thing you need to achieve is not covered by IRIS.  Partner with your consultant to make it happen.  You are in the driver’s seat of your life…go where you want to go, do what you want to do and be who you want to be,” she exclaims! Her personal theme is, “there is no such thing as Impossible.”

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network? 

“Foundational to Self-Direction is Problem Solving from the consumer up,” Ann says.  Ann explains that each organization needs a consumer advisory committee to identify what is not working well and to brainstorm creative remedies.  People want their programs and services to be sustainable, flexible, and effective.  They know what needs to be fixed.  Get them together and develop creative solutions together. 

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.