News from Disability Network

Our Mission: To Promote and Encourage Independence

for All People with Disabilities.

1160 James Savage Suite C

Midland Mi 48640

989-835-4041 800-782-4160
www.dnmm.org

November 2009 Happy Thanksgiving!

Honoring those who served.

For decades Armistice Day was commemorated until it was changed to Veterans Day by an act of Congress in 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower called on citizens of the country to observe the day by remembering the sacrifices of all who fought gallantly preserving the liberty of our country.

President Eisenhower referred to the name change to Veterans Day in honor of the servicemen of all America's wars.

Veterans Day takes on special meaning once again today as thousands upon thousands of American servicemen and women are fighting wars in the Middle East.

Delta College salutes veterans during the month of November for their service to their Country. Any Veteran can apply for college classes and have the admissions applications fee waived.

Take a moment to shake a veteran's hand and tell him or her "thank you." And say a prayer for all the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on the battlefield.

Peer Group reaches out to the community

This year the Disability Network Adult Peer Group in Midland has decided to adopt three families in the community to provide a Thanksgiving meal for each family. The peer group consists of several Midland Community members with multiple types of disabilities. They have decided to do this for families in appreciation of what Midland has done for them as community members.

Twenty-Seven People Found Independence

In the last year Disability Network assisted 27 people with disabilities move from a nursing home to their own home. These individuals can now enjoy a better quality of life by getting out in the community when they desire, eating the foods they want to eat, and watching the television program they want to watch. While these may seem like minor things to some; imagine having your day determined by others.

Plus the cost savings is tremendous! It costs on average $45,000 per year of tax-payer dollars for a person to receive 24 hours per day, 7 day a week care. Once the person moves into their own home the cost drops to $8,000 per year on average.

2010 Open Enrollment for Medicare Plans Began November 15

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the annual Open Enrollment period to make sure they have the best coverage available to meet their healthcare needs in 2010.
The Open Enrollment period begins on November 15th and runs through December 31st. It's the one time every year when all people with Medicare can review and, if necessary, change their current health care coverage.
Please call Andrea Sneller, Disability Network's Information & Referral Specialist to discuss your current benefits or inquire about the open enrollment. She can be reached at 989-835-4041 or sneller@dnmm.org

PAWS WITH A CAUSE
Dogs in Service

Cisco stopped by with handler Lisa, to demonstrate all the skills that he has to assist a person with a disability.

Cisco is a 4 year old Labrador, and demonstrates various tasks that are done by dogs that are trained for service.

Service Dogs can perform tasks such as opening doors, turning light switches on/off, or picking up an object as small as a dime. Should the consumer fall, the dog can even be trained to act as a brace so the person can regain position. PAWS are also the largest provider of Service Dogs trained to deal with seizure disorders. A dog can be trained to (among other things) push life-alerts, help and/or comfort a person during a seizure and get help or the phone for the consumer.

If you are interested in learning more about Paws with a Cause visit their web site at www.pausewithacause.org

Paws With a Cause National Headquarters
4646 South Division
Wayland MI 49348
800-253-7297
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday

Kelly Pelong celebrates 15 years

This month Kelly PeLong celebrates 15 years at Disability Network.
Over the past years, Kelly has held various positions at Disability Network.
She was originally hired in part time as the Empowerment Trainer for Isabella County.
She has since then gone from a Support Coordinator, Interim Associate Director, and is now a Program Leader for the IL Program.

She has seen first hand the growth that has taken place at Disability Network, especially of the past few years.
"I have seen an expansion in our programs and services that continue to meet the needs of our community and the counties we serve." Kelly Pelong said.

Thank you Kelly from the staff at DNMM for your years of dedication.