Beyond The ‘I’, Inc. (BTI) - “Beyond Limitations” project goal is to provide basic support of essential services not currently available in American Samoa, which will allow elders and individuals with disabilities – including veterans and their care givers to lead an independent, meaningful, happy and dignified lives.

Often times, life can be overwhelming for elderly adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families especially their caregivers. Growing up as caregiver for my frail maternal grandmother, it was one of the challenging responsibilities growing up doing. However I later realize that the caring for my elderly grandma helped build a humble heart and good character for me and my siblings.

One unique part of the Samoan culture is caring for their elders. The elders are considered a ‘jewel’ in everyone’s life and often not worthy of placing then in a nursing home as traditionally the case in other places. Even when a family struggles with their finances, caring for their elderly or a loved one with disability is a priority.

Caregivers often put their career goals on hold and rely on their elder’s benefits to live on while caring for their challenged loved one. The elderly or individual with the disability will often feel as they are a burden to their families and care-givers.  

With the state of the current economy, this can be a very challenging situation. Based on some of the testimonies from participants of the SOS self development training done at the BTI training site, majority of the participants faces this struggle of caring for their elderly parents while trying to cope with the economy.

BTI aims to create a lasting solution for these families in our community needing high quality, compassionate care for their loved ones. Whether their basic need is to help run errands a few hours a week or require more an intensive 24-hour care, they can rely on BTI to be the changing force that improves their lives.