Greetings!

 

Happy Holidays!  This is our final Newsletter of 2011!  So hard to believe this year is over - it flew by much too quickly!   It is humbling for me to look back on this year and remember all of the events and changes we have gone through.  We have opened a brand new office in Cass Lake - and now also one in Brainerd!  We continue to work on our building in Hibbing and hope to move into it by the Fall of next year.  We have expanded our groups and continued to provide much needed services to the people in this area who have disabilities.  Many ramps have been built to assist those who would not be able to access their homes if they didn't have one.  We are all very blessed to be able to provide these services and work with such talented and caring people. 

Our offices will be closed on Monday, January 2nd in observance of the New Year's holiday.  The entire staff at AccessNorth is wishing each and every one of you had a joyous Christmas and all of the very best for 2012.

Sending my very best ...

Kim Tyler
Executive Director

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group going strong in Grand Rapids

 

Pictured above is Wayne Stoltz, originator of our TBI support group

In the Spring of 2011 Wayne Stoltz decided it's about time that people with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) had a place to go for support and resources.  A place to go to talk about ideas and problems as well as problem solving.  A placeto go to talk and share.  Wayne and Judy Rupert, AccessNorth Independent Living Specialist and Coordinator from the Coleraine office worked together to start the TBI Group, worked to get meeting space that was reasonable (many thanks to the Blandin Foundation for donating their meeting space.)

In September of 2003, at the age of 47, Wayne Stoltz had a stroke which resulted in the removal of half of his brain and a long recovery. He went from a wheelchair, to using a walker, then a cane - and now walks on his own.  He has lost his ability for short-term memory and because of his limited vision, he no longer can drive a car.  Prior to his stroke, Wayne had previously been the Senior Engineer at ADC and was also an instructor of telecommunications.  This new reality was very hard for his family to accept.  It has been a long road.

But Wayne had a strong desire to feel worthwhile and to help others at the same time.  So the TBI Support Group was born.  It meets the second Monday of the month at Blandin Foundation (100 Pokegama Ave. N., Grand Rapids) from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  All family and caregivers are welcome to attend as well as the person with the TBI.  Numbers attending range from 3-20 at different meetings.  The topics that are talked about make the attendees feel that they are "not by myself".  One comment heard at a recent meeting is that "when you haven't been there - you don't know."  This is the basic principal of all support groups, people with similar circumstances that can understand what others are going through. 

If you are interested in attending the TBI group, please call Wayne at 245-0251 or email him at stoltzwd@lcp2.net.  You can also contact Judy at AccessNorth 245-0211 or email her at judy@accessnorth.net.  We at AccessNorth admire Wayne, and people like him, who are so dedicated to making a difference in people's lives - and trying to them better. 

T.L.C. News - Miirriinia Waters

This time of year is very stressful for most people. We tend to be more agitated with family, friends, coworkers and the occasional stranger. We worry about money. We worry about paying heating bills. We wonder if the holiday meals will go off without incident and stress if they don't. We stuff our emotions, sometimes literally, and then we push on until we break down or shut down.

 

Stress really has no definition. Everyone is different and so everyone responds differently to different stimuli. Stress is the number one health concern in the United States. (www.stress.org) Too much stress can lead to nervous breakdowns, pressure, anxiety and over commitment to. Believe it or not, a person can have too little stress as well. This leads to loneliness, boredom and lack of involvement to name a few. The holiday season is full of external and internal stress.

So when tensions are high and we want to cry, be left alone or yell at our neighbor, what can we do?

 

Here are some suggestions:

1. Acknowledge your feelings. It's okay to be sad, even during the holidays.
2. Get involved. Discover what activities are going on in your community. Call a friend. Get to know your coworker. If you feel lonely. Reach out!
3. Accept Change. As we grow older and our family expands and changes, we need to accept those changes. Traditions change and that is okay. Try something new!
4. Set aside differences. You will have less stress if you can manage to acknowledge the stress between you and another person in your circle. Talk it through with them and move on.
5. Stick to your meal budget! It's okay to ask others to chip in for the meal. Suggest a potluck.
6. Stick to healthy habits. Buy or borrow a healthy cookbook. Get plenty of sleep and rest. Don't over indulge.
7. Take time for you. It's alright to take a moment to yourself. Read a chapter of a book. Listen to your favorite song. Practice relaxation techniques.
8. Get help if you need it. If you are persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
9. TAKE CONTROL!! You are in control of your life and your choices. You can recognize your triggers and take charge!

Minnesota Agribility Project

 

Agriculture and farming are very important forms of people's lives and livelihoods as well as business in Minnesota.  Unfortunately, circumstances arise to put up barriers to some who farm.  Often farmers are no longer able to maintain their farming career, not by choice but due to issues relating to a disability or chonic health condition.  The Minnesota AgrAbility Project provides a much-needed resource for farmers to modify their current equipment or practices to provide practical solutions.  It is a partnership of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Dept. and EquipALife - a statewide community based organization that helps with

• Low Interest Loans
• Safety and Financial Planning
• Support and Advocacy
• Peer Support

For more information contact: AccessNorth (1-800-390-3681) or EquipALife (1-866-535-8239).