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1705 S. Saginaw Road
Midland, Mi 48640
989-835-4041 800-782-4160
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Letter from the Executive Director
In the last few days I've been painfully reminded that my favorite season is coming to an end. Not only are leaves falling in my yard; but I've made the inevitable trip to the mall for school clothes and supplies. This reality hit even harder when I realized the lazy evenings on the deck will soon be replaced by evenings helping my daughter with homework.
And, to be honest, the fear of countless arguments over homework and priorities has set in. You see, my daughter is a lovely, yet precocious, teenager who has a learning disability. School simply does not come easily to her; nor does it come easily to us as parents. But, since she is my third and youngest child - as well as my second child with a disability - I've learned a few things about parenting a child with a disability. I thought I'd take a couple of minutes to share my perspective on getting off to a good school year.
Here are some things to think about:
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Try to Relax - your child is probably more anxious about returning to school than you are. If you have a relaxed and calm demeanor your child will benefit from that.
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Ask Questions & Listen - prior to school's starting is a great time to discuss what your child is looking forward too, what your child is fearing, what activities your child may want to get involved in, etc.
- Set Goals - this trick works really well for my daughter. At the beginning of the school year we set goals with her for the marking period. We even let her pick the reward for the goals, within reason of course.
- Sign a Contract - We develop a contract between our daughter and us. This clearly outlines the expectations and consequences for her actions. I like this technique because it reduces the power struggles teenagers attempt to engage in. All we have to say is "read the contract you signed".
- Reward the Small Accomplishments - I find it much more gratifying and successful to reward for positive accomplishments, versus punishing. Even when it is a small accomplishment we find a small reward such as an ice cream cone or extra time on the computer.
Many of these techniques will work for you, whether your child has a disability or not, but I am much more conscious about the challenges my daughter endures as a result of her learning struggles. Because of that, I work very hard to make sure we have open communication, clear expectations, and a reward system to push her to do the best she can. |
My Internship Experience
By Yusra Jafferany
It was a Friday afternoon when I got my much-awaited call from Sara Kristal, Executive Director of the Disability Network, offering me a summer internship. Excited and anxious, I started work within a week not knowing what to expect. I was hired to write impact stories about consumers served by DNMM, but little did I know that I would take away much more from my experience than just the stories.
I had not expected that I would be working with kids when I was hired - and I'm not even sure exactly how I got involved in the STAGES program - but I'm happy that I did. Had I not worked with this program, I strongly believe that I wouldn't have gathered all the lessons, experiences and - most importantly memories - from this internship. My experience with the kids here at DNMM has been life-changing. Not only did hanging out with them and participating in activities keep me occupied but, because the kids are warm and friendly, they made me feel like a part of the program immediately. It was as if I had found a new family here at the Disability Network.
There's no end to all the lessons I gleaned from my past two months of writing and sending press releases, drafting articles, and working with consumers. This internship gave me the chance to try things I would have never have tried otherwise. Two months ago, if I were asked to participate in rock climbing, I would have refused and complained about possibly breaking a nail. If I were asked to join others in a bike ride, I would have mention not owning a pair of appropriate shoes - especially not owning any sneakers. Today, I am proud to say that I have finished a three-mile bike ride, hit the buzzer on top of a rock climbing wall, and completed an entire high ropes course. The kids taught me to have a positive outlook on life and accept myself for who I am. They taught me confidence and persistence. I admire their motivation and determination to reach high achievements and try new things.
As I wrote impact stories over the course of my internship I learned the importance of giving and communicating. When interviewing consumers, I picked up that sometimes having an ear to listen is all someone needs right then. As a general rule, the kids in STAGES are happy with themselves. Their disabilities also are their strengths. Taking what you have and making the most of it was a repetitive conclusion to most of the interviews I conducted and stories I wrote.
Lastly, I can't forget the amazing people I worked with during my internship. Thank you all for the support you gave me and for this experience. Thank you, Cathe, for being a mentor every time I needed something. Thank you, Sara B, for inserting all my USB drives and killing random spiders when I freaked out. Thank you, Allison, for introducing me to bug spray and being a great painting partner during community revitalization days. Thank you, Lowell. for pushing me to finish the high ropes. Thank you, Nora, for all the wonderful talks we had. Thank you, Tim, for an overall great experience with STAGES.
Thank you to everyone else, and especially to Sara Kristal, for this great internship! |
Local Group Provides Refuge for People with Disabilities
By Amanda McCormick
Imagine if you were a person with a disability. Where would you go if you wanted to know information about, say where to find a home? Where would you go to find support in the disabled world? If you were just diagnosed with a disability, where would you go to not feel alone? Where would you turn?
These questions are answered at the peer group at the Disability Network. To a disabled person, the world can often like a barren and lonely place, with nowhere to go in between. With the peer group, this has changed. With the peer group, every person, regardless of the disability, is welcome to talk about and discuss their feelings. Everything from relationship problems to resources about adaptive equipment can be discussed.
With the peer group, everyone regardless of the disability is welcome. It doesn't matter what the disability, whether you're a blind person like myself or in a walker or wheelchair. We meet the first Wednesday of the month. If you were just diagnosed with a disability, or if you've had a disability, you're welcome to join. Come to the peer group and see what changes your life will go through and beyond. To find out more about the peer group, or to find about any other resource, contact the Disability Network.
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Camp Fish Tales
Learning adult skills at Camp Fish Tales is an annual part of the STAGES program. Located in Pinconning, Camp Fish Tales aims to promote an atmosphere that supports students with disabilities as they meet and make new friends while participating in pre-vocational growth activities. Campers learn to deal with their own emotional and physical limitations as they have fun with their peers. One of the camp's main goals is to emphasize independence within the campers; at the camp, they are given the freedom to make decisions on what they do and have time to socialize at their leisure.
STAGES program students spent a night at Camp Fish Tales on August second through 3rd this year. Boys and girls were assigned to different cabins and were expected to take care of themselves, building independence away from the convenience of their homes and caregivers. Activities - such as fishing, swimming, participating in and watching skits, planning and going on hayrides, and enjoying a bonfire - helped the students internalize some concepts about group work and social skills.
The activities are fun as well as educational for the campers. Kids learn to engage and communicate effectively with each other as they work as a team preparing for the activities such as the hayride and the bonfire. "We stack the hay together because it is teaching us to work together like adults," said one camper. Together, the kids load the truck with sacks of hay as they prepare for the hour-long hayride provided by the camp. On the hayride the kids sing songs together and enjoy the scenery, talking about the landscape and what they enjoy about camp. After the hayride, a bonfire is set up for the kids before they head to bed. The bonfire is an excellent time for the kids to interact and socialize. "We have secret sharing time at the bonfire," says Jordan, an excited camper.
Other organized games, such as pool and basketball, offer wonderful opportunities for campers to work and play together. "I love camp! It's the only time I get to stay somewhere else for a night and feel safe," said a participant when asked about Camp Fish Tales.
Social interaction has to be one of the most important activities that the campers are involved in. It gives them insight into appropriate and inappropriate behavior wrongs in their wider community, helps them to build relationships and teaches them how to cope in group situations. Participating in activities at Camp helps the students learn adult skills that they will need for getting jobs and living independently. From that perspective, this year's Camp Fish Tales experience for the STAGES participants was definitely a success!
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August was National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)
As summer comes to an end, parents enroll their children in school, students enter college, and healthcare workers prepare for the upcoming flu season. This makes August the perfect month to be titled "National Immunization Awareness Month," as it's the ideal time to remind family and friends to update their vaccinations. The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations to everyone, from infants to the elderly, students to workers.
Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox and chicken pox and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles and other preventable diseases. But despite these efforts, tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Getting proper immunizations results in individuals paying lower medical bills and lower associated social costs such as time lost from school and work. Vaccinations are important and it is critical to take them on time. Make a point to remind your loved ones during August to immunize, prevent disease, and stay healthy.
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Accessibility Demo Days set for September and October
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) is conducting Accessibility Demo Days in 2010. The goal is to provide opportunities to experience first hand the latest advancements in adaptive equipment to individuals with disabilities as well as to State and local recreation departments, law enforcement, legislators and other guests the. The desire is to provide access to the beautiful Michigan "Outdoors" for all our residents, including those who have disabilities.
The latest equipment will be on hand so that participants can view live demonstrations and experience first-hand, where possible, how the equipment would be useful to them. The event will be held rain or shine.
Types of adaptive equipment may include but are not limited to, the following:
The DNRE has a desire to provide access to the beautiful Michigan "Outdoors" for all our residents, including those who have a disability.
2010 Demo Day Dates
September 15 - Fishing Derby at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, Grand Rapids, MI. Time is to be determined (TBD). This event will focus water related recreation and motility devices for land and water.
October 21 - DNRE Demo Day at the Demmer Center, East Lansing, MI. 10 am - 3 pm. This event will focus on all areas of recreation and accessible equipment.
For specific questions, please contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Vicki Brown at 517-373-1234 or brownv@michigan.gov or fax 517-373-6705. |
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20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Picnic
For those of us who are intimately involved with disabilities - whether we have a disability, have friends or coworkers with disabilities, or work with people with disabilities - every day is a celebration of the progress our country has made toward inclusion since July 26, 1990, the official beginning of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability Network celebrated the 20th anniversary of the ADA with a picnic at Krossroads Park in Kochville Township on Saturday, August 28th. The park, across the street from the "Wal-Mart and Sam's Club" bus stop on Fashion Square Boulevard in Saginaw, features Rainbow's End, an accessible playground.
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan coordinated the picnic that was also was sponsored by the Amigo Mobility Center, the ARC of Midland, and the Arnold Center. Food was provided by Smart Choice Café from Do-All Inc. Camp Fish Tales made the Bounce House possible.
The guest speaker was Michael Cooper, Director of Disability Support Services at Delta College. Mike is a person who acquired a disability in 1971 from a water-skiing accident. Since then he has worked to promote equal access for people with disabilities. Mike shared his perceptions of what life was like prior to the ADA. He pointed out that although the ADA was signed in 1990, lots of work went on for years before the "disability movement" became visible. He also discussed what still needs to happen in order for our communities to be fully inclusive.
More than 130 people attended Saturday's event. Many of them were people with disabilities or family members of people with disabilities. Sara Kristal, Executive Director of Disability Network stated, "It was enlightening to hear people's personal stories of how far we've come since the passage of the ADA. But, we still have a long way to go and the stories I listened to Saturday helped me remember why organizations like Disability Network are so important to our communities."
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Community Advisory Council Meets Wednesday Night
The next Community Advisory Council meeting will be Wednesday, September 1, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the DNMM building at 1705 South Saginaw Road in Midland. If you can't attend the meeting in person, call in from home:
If you call in early you will be on "hold" until the meeting starts. Please be sure to use a land line, not a cell phone, as cell phones have a habit of cutting out on these kinds of calls.
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Calendar, September 2010
Wednesday, September 1
Midland Peer Meeting, DNMM
3:00 - 4:00
Thursday, September 16
All Peer Movie Day, DNMM
12:00- 3:00
Monday, September 20
Saginaw Peer Meeting, Butman-Fish Library
1716 Hancock, Saginaw
10:00 - 11:00
Tuesday, September 23
Peer Mentoring Training, DNMM
9:00 - 1:00
Friday, September 24
Peer Mentor Training, DNMM
9:00- 1:00
Tuesday, September 28
Bay Peer Mentoring
Westminster Presbyterian Church
103 E. Midland Rd., Bay City
10:00 - 11:00 |
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In this Issue:
Letter from the Executive Director
Local Group Provides Refuge for People with Disabilities
August was National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)
20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Picnic
Accessibility Demo Days set for September and October
Community Advisory Council Meets Wednesday Night
September Calendar
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Board of Directors
Officers:
Jerry Pritchett, President
Sharon Leenhouts,
Vice President
Harry Leaver, Secretary
Bill Bateman
Treasurer
Members-at Large:
Tim Troy
June Price
Peter Jensen
Gerrit Wierda
Executive Director:
Sara Kristal, M.A., C.R.C |
Be an Advocate
Share this newsletter with your friends, family and
co-workers.
Together we can make a difference.
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Disability Network of
Mid-Michigan celebrates 20 years of promoting & encouraging independence.
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20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Picnic
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Even if we cannot
hear...
or read...
we can dream.
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