Piano Palooza VII Sets a New Record!    

A community of 225 supporters came out to the Midland Country Club on Saturday, February 2nd, for Disability Network's seventh annual Piano Palooza fundraiser. The event included a candlelight dinner, dancing to dueling pianos, and a silent auction.

Proceeds from the event support the STAGES program, which assists youth with disabilities in making the transition to working and living independently after leaving high school.

 The STAGES program focuses on employment and post-secondary preparation, citizenship, community awareness, health and safety, money management, home-living skills and personal relational skills. The program has participants in Bay, Clare, Saginaw, and Midland counties.

"Tonight is a celebration of success,'" said Executive Director David Emmel. "Success is not just achieved through the expertise of a dedicated staff, but also through strategic community partnerships with businesses, agencies, and individuals. Tonight is a resounding success because of the efforts of our honorary chairs Kathy and Bob Hansen and dedicated volunteers like Tabbetha Troy and Brenna Phelan".

One such success story was highlighted in a video featuring Elizabeth, a former STAGES participant who is now gainfully employed and working toward finding a place of her own to live.

Elizabeth's Story

"Our community partners helped make successes like Elizabeth's possible," Emmel said. "Agency partners include transition specialists at the Midland ESA, the Saginaw Transition Center, and the Bay-Arenac ISD, who work alongside our STAGES staff. And the success of Piano Palooza is largely due to our partnerships with many generous corporate and individual sponsors throughout the Great Lakes Bay region."

Finding Family: Gene Gardner's Story   

Imagine what life would be like being bounced around from one foster home to the next. Growing up with abusive foster families, in homes without the basic necessities. A childhood devoid of any happy memories. Imagine going off to war in Vietnam only to return home to nothing; no home, no family.

For Gene Gardner, this was life. The trauma of abuse and the horror of war took their toll on Gene. After years of struggle, Gene found himself at a nursing home in Midland. He had no one to care for and he felt no one cared for him. Depression had taken hold, and he often spoke of ending his life. 

"I hate being alone all the time," Gene stated. "I don't have anything to live for. No one's ever loved me. "

In January, Gene's social worker referred him to Disability Network. Brooke Pauwels, a nursing facility transition (NFT) coordinator, met with Gene to discuss alternative housing options.

"When I first met Gene, he didn't own a pair of socks, let alone a pair of shoes," Pauwels said.  "Our NFT team gathered shoes, socks, and basic clothing needs from their own homes and donated them to Gene so he could visit potential residences."

After discussing options with Gene, they agreed that an Adult Foster Care (AFC) home might be the best fit. Several AFCs denied Gene residency based on availability or income. But Brenda's Almost Heaven AFC was willing to take Gene in.

Gene was quite happy at the prospect of moving. He liked the atmosphere and he immediately got along well with home-owner Brenda McKee and her three grandchildren. They all welcomed "Mr. G." with open arms.  Gene permanently moved into his new home in February.

Brenda provided Gene clothing, household necessities, and even a new television. She treated him to a trip to the barbershop.  

And what a change it's been.  Gone was the man who just days earlier felt he had nothing for which to live. Here was a man surrounded by a caring and loving family for the first time in his life. Here was a man now playing cars with three "grandchildren" in a scene worthy of Norman Rockwell. 

"I'm looking forward to working in the garden this Spring," said Gene with a smile. "The kids asked if I would help them grow pickles."

After being at his new home for just five days, Gene told Brooke that now he had a purpose and a reason to live. He was happy, and he couldn't remember the last time he could say that. He told Brooke that he is eternally thankful to her and Brenda for everything they've provided him.

And while it's true families come in all shapes and sizes, it's perhaps even more true that families can come at unexpected places and at unexpected times. Sometimes it all starts with buying a pair of socks.  

Could You Survive a Month of Living in Poverty? 

The Midland County Continuum of Care invites you to learn about life in poverty through this FREE Poverty Simulation Workshop.

During the simulation, participants experience the reality of low-income living, from single parents trying to care for their children to senior citizens trying to maintain their self-sufficiency on Social Security.

When: February 28th

12:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Registration at 12:15 p.m.)

Where: First Baptist Church, 915 East Sugnet Rd., Midland

Cost: The event is free. But, as February is Canned Food Month, participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to an area agency that serves people living in poverty.

Why Participate?

• Explore first-hand some of the barriers to prosperity in our community.
• Experience the pressures that push families into making difficult decisions.
• Meet and interact with other community leaders working to address real community needs.

Registration is required by Friday, February 22nd. Individuals must participate in the whole event. Space is limited! Call (989) 835-4041 to register.

The Midland County Continuum of Care is a collaborative made up of representatives from local agencies, including Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, with the mission of providing housing-related services to those who are homeless or living in substandard housing. The Continuum of Care promotes safe, supportive shelter and affordable housing for all.

Apps! Apps! Apps! 

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is joining a nation-wide LiveStream video seminar, presented by BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals.

Apps! Apps! Apps! is a FREE assistive technology training program for anyone interested in becoming knowledgeable about accessibility features on iPad (and related devices), and those seeking to gain skills on how to find appropriate apps for people with disabilities or special needs.

When:  February 22, 2013

8:30 am - Breakfast provided by DNMM

9:00 am - Training Program

Noon - Lunch provided by DNMM

3:00 pm - Conclusion

For more information, contact Andrea Sneller at 989-835-4041.

Lt. Governor Brian Calley to Provide Information on Autism Legislation    

Parents and care givers of children with autism, advocacy agencies, employers, teachers, and those who provide support are encouraged to attend a free meeting discussing the new autism legislation in Michigan.

WHEN:
Thursday Feb 21st, 2013
6:00PM - 7:30PM   

WHERE:  

MidMichigan Children's Museum
315 W. Genesee
Saginaw, MI 48602   

• Treatments covered by the legislation
• Autism legislation bills and what they mean
• Overview of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Evidence-based practice treatments defined
• Explanation of state-regulated and self-funded insurance coverage
• Medicaid coverage for treatments
• How to find a qualified provider
• Resources for help in this process

For more information, contact the Great Lakes Bay Autism Center at 989-295-7382.

Practical Strategies for Managing Angry, Aggressive and Impulsive Children  

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, Bay Arenac Behavioral Health, and the Bay Area Community Foundation invite you to a conversation with Thomas Haller, a widely sought after national and international presenter in the areas of anger and aggression management and verbal language skills. 

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
12:45 PM - 4:00 PM 

WHERE:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
103 E. Midland Rd
Bay City, MI 48706

COST:   $20

Thomas Haller is considered one of the world's  

foremost authorities on empowering individuals with effective verbal skills for creating interpersonal change. Mr. Haller has extensive training with highly aggressive, angry and impulsive children. He has been working closely with educators and administrators for over twenty-two years developing classroom strategies to reduce angry and aggressive behavior in students while promoting a safe learning environment for all.  

In addition to his work with school professionals, Mr. Haller maintains a private psychotherapy practice working with children, adolescents and couples. He is also the chief parenting and relationship correspondent for WNEM TV5 and is the co-host (with his wife Valerie) of The Thomas and Valerie Show on National Public Radio (NPR). He is the co-author of seven highly acclaimed books and has been a featured guest on over 150 radio shows, including such notable programs as Oprah Radio and The World Puja Network.  

For more information, call 989-835-4041. 

Keep Michigan Warm Month

Governor Rick Snyder issued an official proclamation declaring February 2013 "Keep Michigan Warm Month."  In his statement, the Governor noted the financial burden of heating a home, with thousands of Michigan households paying more than half of their annual income for home energy bills.  Click here to read the Governor's proclamation. 

The Michigan Community Action Agency Association lists Walk for Warmth dates and locations across the state on its website.

Click here for information on ways to manage your winter energy bills as well as a link to the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm. 

Filing Consumer Complaints

Consumers are encouraged to first contact their utility company to discuss billing or service issues.  If a resolution cannot be reached, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC) assists Michigan consumers with their electric, natural gas, telecom or video/cable complaints.  

The MPSC provides several methods for consumers to submit complaints. Consumers may file a complaint online, by phone, by fax, and by mail. Click here for additional information on how to submit both formal and informal complaints to the MPSC.

AT Corner: Our Monthly Focus On The World of Assistive Technology   

8 Great Apps for Daily Living

1. Picture Scheduler
Reminds users of tasks with images and alarms, and can automatically open linked videos (or audio files). No need to switch between apps to cue routines. Five alarm sounds to choose from (so different tasks can be tagged with specific sounds). iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad compatible. $2.99

2. iDress for Weather
Provides images of clothing and weather conditions daily. Can be customized with user's own clothing photos or other images. iPhone/iPad $1.99

3. iCounselor: OCD
Helps users with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) based on exposure and response prevention, an evidence-based treatment method. iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad $0.99

 4. The Photo Cookbook--Quick & Easy
Every recipe starts with a photograph of ingredients in their measured portions. Each step is illustrated clearly and simply. $4.99 iPad/iPod Touch/iPhone

 5. Shopping List Generator
Create pictorial shopping lists with custom photos. Categorize items, assign prices and aisle locations. Includes text-to-speech and large easy-to-see images. Prices are automatically totaled. $4.99 iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad

6. Everyday Skills
Provides self-­directed learning sessions for 40 important skills. Topic areas include community skills, personal skills, and transition and transportation skills. $19.99 iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad

7. MyMedSchedule
Available for iPhone or Android or as a web-based application, MyMedSchedule sends reminders to take medication (by text or email), and helps keep track of medications and refills. Free.

8. Sleep Cycle alarm clock
Put your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch under your pillow and this app will analyze your movement during sleep and find the optimal time to wake you during a 30 minute window (that ends at your set alarm time). Tracks sleep quality and rhythms using the accelerometer in your device. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.