Jeri Sue Lynn-Cooper’s home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, may seem typical on the outside, but what is happening inside is nothing short of miraculous. Inside Jeri’s House, Lynn-Cooper and staff are transforming lives of DeafBlind individuals by providing temporary supportive housing and teaching independent life skills.
Jeri’s House, is a training facility where individuals with combined hearing and vision loss can learn Braille, sign language, independent living skills, and orientation and mobility. They can also enjoy social activities while receiving advocacy support. Choctaw tribal member Jeri Sue Lynn-Cooper is the founder and executive director of the faith-based nonprofit organization.
Jeri’s House is dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals experiencing combined hearing and vision loss by providing a supportive community rooted in compassion and faith. The goal is to guide DeafBlind adults on their journey toward independence, equipping them with the tools, confidence, and support to lead fulfilling, self-directed lives. The growth of the whole person is encouraged, and needs are met individually, considering where each participant is on their journey.
Lynn-Cooper’s goal is to educate and empower individuals with disabilities and their families, as well as those who interact with them.
Drawing from her own experience, she helps residents reach their full potential and become self-sufficient and resilient.
Since opening its doors in 2021, Jeri’s House has welcomed 12 residents from as far away as Florida. While the number may appear small, it reflects the home’s individualized approach, where residents live there one at a time for varying periods in a one-on-one learning environment.
Each resident’s experience at Jeri’s House is tailored to their individual needs .
“Whatever it is, we do want to try to reach out and meet whatever their needs are if we can to where they might can take care of those services when they leave me and go back home or move into their own apartment,” said Lynn-Cooper. “Maybe now they feel they can live independently.”
Residents must be 18 years old, but outside services for younger children and their families may be provided.
Jeri’s House is paid for by participants out of pocket, through donations, or are sponsored by their state. Jeri’s House works through State Rehabilitation Services and has contracts with Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee. It is also in the process of becoming contracted with Texas.
Residents at Jeri’s House are taken in on a first-come, first-served basis. If a person is unable to attend Jeri’s House in person for services, distance learning can be arranged if there is a way to facilitate effective communication.
Bible study is offered on-site twice a month since many individuals sometimes find it difficult to attend church.
Anyone interested in attending is welcome to email Jeri; alternatively, they can also participate online.
For the first five years that Jeri’s House was open, Lynn-Cooper handled everything from cleaning and paperwork to documentation, teaching and networking. Now she has staff members who relieve many of those burdens for her, allowing her more time with residents.
Lynn-Cooper’s life story is one of resilience, transformation and compassion. From birth, she began having difficulties, and doctors tried to convince her mother to place her into an institutional setting, which she refused. Childhood bouts with detached retinas, cataracts and glaucoma left her blind. Subsequent nerve damage made her nearly deaf.
She attended the Oklahoma School for the Blind, graduated and then moved to Oklahoma City.
Lynn-Cooper didn’t handle the loss of her vision and hearing well, eventally turning to alcohol and drugs to cope.
For around 20 years, she was involved in unsuccessful relationships, some even abusive. After awakening from surgery in 1994, Lynn-Cooper says she surrendered to God and His plan for her life, setting out to help others like herself.
You can read more about Lynn-Cooper’s story in her autobiograpinstagramhy, “Eyes of My Heart,” available for purchase at jerishouse.org, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
She returned to college and earned her degree. Soon after she began working for the state, helping other DeafBlind people.
In her work with the state, she recognized a need for clients to be able practice daily tasks independently.
Often, she noticed many family members stepping in to “help” clients instead of allowing them to complete tasks on their own. Though usually well-intentioned, Lynn-Cooper said this behavior can be more of a hindrance and effect the individual’s self-esteem.
“I don’t mean that in a negative way, because families are helping in the name of love,” Lynn-Cooper said. “But sometimes, you need to just let us fall and pick up ourselves again, because you’re not always going to be there to help us and if we don’t learn how, what are we going to do when the Lord takes you home or you’re sick? Then where are we going to be?”
In 2017, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed the Jeri Cooper Act into law, appropriating funds to support service providers (SSPs) of DeafBlind Oklahomans.
Lynn-Cooper was also recently recognized with the Anne Sullivan award (Anne Sullivan was Helen Keller’s teacher and companion). Jeri said her mother was her own Anne Sullivan.
“It’s because of her,”said Lynn-Cooper. “She was always watching us from afar like God does, but she knew I had to stand on my own two feet.”
Jeri’s House hosts regular fundraisers and sells merchandise on their website. Donations are also accepted.
“Anything that is worth it is going to take some effort,” Lynn-Cooper said. “The more we can do for ourselves, the more fulfilling life is, and the more we want to improve, achieve, and do for others. Everyone is different and capable of doing so much more if only we are given the skills and opportunity. At Jeri’s House, we turn stumbling blocks into steppingstones, and obstacles into opportunities!”
You can sign up for a monthly email at [email protected], or by calling 918-200-6550. Jeri’s House is also online through Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.