While our legislature is in session each January-May, we provide you updates on how proposed legislation might impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families.  This month's column tells a very personal story of the importance of one piece of proposed legislation to a The Arc of Aurora member family.

Colorado Senate Bill 11-049 proposes to ban the use of prone restraints.  A prone restraint is when a person is restrained facedown.  The danger of this type of restraintis shared in the following message offered as part of testimony in one of the bill's three Senate hearings from fellow The Arc of Aurora members Dee and Robin whose son died in a prone restraint.

Our son died September 7th, 2004.  He's been gone 6 years 5 months and 2 days.  He died at the Grand Junction Regional Center from a 'Prone Restraint'.  He died alone (other than the two staff doing the restraint),withno one to help him, especially us.  A day or moment does not go by that we don't think of his last moments, the terror he was feeling, his helplessness, his wondering whether his mom and dad could help him.  Did he call out to us for help, not knowing what was happening to him?  He had no comprehension of death or know that he was dying...

Sudden death that occurs during the use of a prone restraint, especially for individuals who are in a state of agitated delirium, is not uncommon.  The cause of death is typically a sudden fatal cardiac arrhythmia or respiratory arrest due to a combination of factors causing decreased oxygen delivery at a time of increased oxygen demand.

Studies that have been conducted about prone restraint-caused deaths suggest a combination of factors that place a person at risk of positional asphyxia including the prone position in the restraint, agitated delirium and obesity.  Further, prone restraints may include the use of mechanical restraints that often result in decreased direct monitoring of breathing and other life signs.

The bill has passed the Senate is and is on its way to the House.  Consider dropping a note to your legislator asking him/her to support SB 11-049.  

For 60 years -- close to 40 years here in Aurora, CO -- The Arc has been on the front lines of change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  We've advocated for changes in the law, in schools, in healthcare systems, in communities and often on very personal levels that impact families' and individual's lives.  We've helped usher in an era of growing respect, inclusion and participation forpeople with I/DD and changed the status quo from closing institutions to opening the doors to new opportunities.  As of this spring, The Arc of Aurora joins its national office and Chapters throughout the country in changing its look and adopting a new logo which will represent the energy with which we work for and with people with I/DD and their families.  Here in Aurora we will continue to provide the individual and systems' change advocacy services and supports for which you have come to know and rely upon us.  We'll just be doing it with an updated logo - look for it soon!

MANY THANKS to member/former Board member Melissa Lee for updating the Summer Programs' information included in the January printed newsletter!

Springfest 2011 will be held Saturday, April 9 from 6:30PM - 8:30PM at McCarthy's Sports Restaurant and Bar, 15350 E. Smoky Hill Road, Aurora 80015.  Veteran Springfesters know the evening as a fun night and great opportunity to bid on baskets for Easter, graduation, Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, or just for fun.  All proceeds from the silent auction benefit The Arc of Aurora.  Bring a friend and your family for a fun evening out!  McCarthy's has dancing at 9PM after you get your baskets stowed away...  Call Jean, 720.213.1420, for more information.

The Arc of the United States' National Convention will be held in Denver in September 2011.  Look for us to send more information about attending and volunteering over the summer.  Having our national convention in town offers each of us a unique, more affordable opportunity to see our organization's governing body at work!

Summer Camps' Information was included as an insert in the January printed newsletter.  Now is a great time to begin looking at different camps to see which ones might best meet your child's needs.  If you need another copy of that list, contact your advocate.

LEAP Provides Funds to Help Coloradans with Home Heating Bills

Colorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), which provides financial assistance with home heating bills, is accepting applications and will continue to do so until April 30, 2011.

LEAP is a federally funded program that provides cash assistance to help families and individuals pay winter home heating costs.  To qualify for LEAP, applicants must be responsible for paying heating costs directly to an energy provider, fuel dealer or as part of rent; be a permanent legal resident of the United States and Colorado or have household members that are U.S. citizens.

Potential program applicants can apply several ways:· Call 1-866-432-8435 to have an application mailed.· Visit any county department of social/

human services across the State.  To find out if you qualify for LEAP, call toll free 1-866-432-8435.

Sie Center for Down Syndrome Opens at The Children's Hospital

Late last year the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down syndrome opened its doors with Dr. Fran Hickey as its medical director.  The Sie Center for Down Syndrome is committed to being responsive to the needs of the Down syndrome community and has a goal of working as a team with each child's family and pediatrician.  The Center is in The Children's Hospital complex in Aurora.  For more information and appointments, call 720.777.6750.

Help with Research

Julie Burbidge from Queen's University in Canada is studying the effect that sibling relationships, family characteristics, and supports have on the well being of adults who have a sibling with a developmental disability.  She is looking for people aged 25-69 years old who do not have a developmental disability themselves but who have a living sibling that does.  Her questionnaire takes 45-60 minutes to complete and is online or available in paper, if preferred.  You may email Julie at Julie.burbidge@gmail.com, or call her toll free at 1.877.833.3059 for more information.  The survey is available online.

CCA Offers FREE Tax Preparation Service

Trained staff from the Tax Help Colorado assistance program offer free tax preparation and e-filings for families receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit or for those that make less than $49,000/year. Volunteers offer the free assistance at the school's Lowry campus, 710 Alton Way in Denver on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until March 12 in Room 113 of the West Quad Bldg.

March is the Month of Green!

St. Patrick's Day, hopefully a tax return...  Why not celebrate the Month of Green with a donation of green to The Arc of Aurora!  Donations of any/all amounts help support the advocacy work for which you know us best.  Membership dues alone cannot keep our doors open.  Call Jean if you have questions, 720.213.1420, or mail your check to 1342 S. Chambers Road, Aurora, CO   80017. Many o'thanks!

Court:  What Is It?  What Does It Mean?

Always wondered what would happen if you ever had to go to court?  Or if you had to go to court with your child?  What is court like, and what would be helpful to know ahead of time?

In honor of National Crime Victims' Rights' Week 2011, The Arc of Aurora (as part of its work with the Collaborative to Address Crime Victimization of People with Developmental Disabilities) is working with the Victim Witness Liaison in the City Attorney's office to offer this introduction to court.  The April 13, 9:30AM-10:30AM training at the City of Aurora Municipal Court is targeted to self-advocates and parents of any aged child with developmental disabilities.  Space is limited and offered first to The Arc of Aurora members.  Call Jean to reserve your spot or ask questions:  720.213.1420.

Parents' Support Group -- Board member and parent Myrrena Schwegmann is facilitating the next parents' support group meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, from 9:30-11AM at The Arc of Aurora office.  Questions or RSVP to Myrrena at 303.750.4598 by April 8.

Food Pantry -- The Arc of Aurora maintains a small food pantry with nonperishable food and personal hygiene items.  Many of the pantry's supplies come from the arc Thrift Stores; generous members and friends also contribute.  Call your advocate to access the food pantry or Jean to donate to it.

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Did you know that the majority of The Arc of Aurora's annual operating budget comes from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of items donated to the arc Thrift Stores?  Doing your spring cleaning?  Call 303.238.5263 to schedule a pickup of your gently used items and help support The Arc of Aurora!