
Disability Network of Mid-Michigan
April 2015 Newsletter

1705 South Saginaw Road

Midland, MI 48640

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

Autism and Parkinson's Awareness Month

April is a nationally recognized awareness month for both Autism and Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's Awareness Month Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the US are living with Parkinson's disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.

Michael J. Fox Parkinson's involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation and many other websites provide a great deal of information about Parkinson's. We encourage you to take this online quiz to see what you know about Parkinson's. And then share it with your friends!

Each year for Autism Awareness the United Nations selects a theme for these awareness events. This year's theme is Employment: The Autism Advantage.

It is estimated that more than 80% of adults with autism are unemployed. Research suggests employers are missing out on abilities that people on the autism spectrum have in greater abundance than "neurotypical" workers do - such as, heightened abilities in pattern recognition and logical reasoning, as well as a greater attention to detail.

The hurdles that need to be overcome to unleash this potential include: a shortage of vocational training, inadequate support with job placement, and pervasive discrimination.

The United Nations General Assembly highlights the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults, who are affected by autism, so they can lead full and meaningful lives.

Several of the articles below center around autism. We encourage you to share your stories about living with autism and, in particular, finding employment. To share your story with us, contact us on Facebook!

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MI Hidden Talent Tour Highlights Opportunities for Hiring Michigan Workers With Disabilities

MI Hidden Talent tour with Lt. Governor Calley, Justice Bernstein, Bob VanDeventer, Barbara Gibson, Greg Pollock, and David Emmel. Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein addressed a crowd of some fifty business and agency representatives in Saginaw today as part of their on-going state-wide "MI Hidden Talent" tour.

The MI Hidden Talent tour aims to showcase the skills of Michiganians with disabilities that are often overlooked. The effort will encourage businesses to develop disability hiring policies while connecting businesses with resources to fulfill workforce needs.

At each stop, Calley and Bernstein will highlight a local business setting an example for others in hiring as well as local partners available to help other businesses follow suit. Joining them in Saginaw were Dr. Barbara Gibson of the Dow Corning Corporation, Greg Pollock of The Dow Chemical Company, David Emmel of Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, and Bob VanDeventer of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce.

Lt. Governor Brian Calley "Hiring Michiganians with disabilities would change the dynamic for many companies across our state," Calley said. "There are more than 500,000 working-age adults whose talent could move a company to the next level - but they need to be given a chance first. We are working to implement more inclusive employment policies at the state level and are ready to encourage businesses statewide to do the same with this tour. The time is long overdue to celebrate different abilities in the workplace."

"Employers that hire people with disabilities are ultimately rewarded with team members who bring passion, energy, and loyalty to the workplace. Disabled employees rally their fellow workers and serve as a unified force who can teach the values of resiliency, compassion, and understanding," said Justice Richard Bernstein. "More often than not, people who have infirm bodies also possess the strongest souls and the most powerful spirits, traits which enhance the workplace and our economy as a whole. People with disabilities are hardworking, energetic, and engaged people who will be loyal to their employer. The offer of employment for a person with a disability is a game changer - they do more and achieve more because they are thrilled to have been given an opportunity."

Continue the conversation! Follow #mihiddentalent

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A Quilt For Home

DNMM's Nursing Facility Transition program meets individuals from all walks of life with stories as varied as the books on a library's shelves. But there is one thing that seems consistent among all those who successfully transition from the nursing facility into more independent, community-based living...a desire for that feeling of "home."

Our NFT staff work diligently with each consumer to provide whatever materials are possible to turn that house into a home. But these provisions correspond to basic needs more so than comforts.

Quilt with piano key pattern And that's where Nancy Dutcher comes in. Nancy is the mother-in-law of DNMM's own Kelly PeLong. After talking with Kelly about the NFT transition program, Nancy took it upon herself to provide that taste of home for which so many yearn. She began to make quilts to be given to each person upon their successful transition; a house-warming gift, as it were. The quilts would be matched to the personalities of each person.

In setting about making the quilts, Nancy would say prayers for the people in transition. Prayers for their success and their improved quality of life. She hopes that the joy she puts into making the quilts would be matched only by the joy others would feel upon receiving them.

And for those who have received Nancy's quilts, joy scarcely does the feeling justice. Gene, a recently transitioned Saginaw resident said he was nearly overcome with happiness knowing that someone he'd never met had been thinking about his well-being enough to present him with a gift.

Quilt with turtle doves flying "No one had ever made anything for me before," said Gene. "Nothing says 'home' like a good blanket. I'm just so thankful anyone would do this for me."

Indeed, Gene so loves the quilt, he won't risk anything happening to it. Instead, the quilt is proudly displayed on the wall above his bed - "a reminder of the goodness of people and the comforts of home."

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15 Things I'm Aware of as a Mother of a Son with Autism

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The following is a note submitted to DNMM by a mother of a child with autism. We have not edited the article in any way. We present it here as simply her observations and discoveries about living with autism.

Husband and wife and their four children April is Autism Awareness Month. I'm the parent of a child with autism, and I'm aware that autism, like most permanent medical conditions, is life-changing. So far, hearing the words "your son has autism" was the single worst moment of my life (and there have been some bad ones). When we received our diagnosis, I didn't know where to turn, what to do or what to think. My only reference point was Rain Man. It was a very hopeless time in my life.

Let me acknowledge - I know there's some really bad stuff that goes along with having a child with autism. There's much grief, sadness, exhaustion, anger, hopelessness, anxiety and fear that go hand and hand with the condition. It sucks. But I'm also aware that there's an abundance of gratitude, support, grace, hope, happiness, acceptance and love in our life thanks, in part, to autism.

1. I'm aware that my family has been fortunate.

We've had resources. We've had support. We've had the ability to move some mountains (and ourselves) when needed. We've gotten results.

2. I'm aware that although it's often really hard to do "typical" things with children on the spectrum, it's worth the effort.

The early years were brutal. People don't understand why your kid is freaking out. There were times when I felt like, "There is no way this is my life!" I was certain that I was being Punk'd, or I was having some crazy dream. Oh, for the love of God... my child just pulled down his pants and is about to pee in the display toilet at Home Depot. My child just sat at someone else's table, in a restaurant, and ate French fries... from a stranger's plate. My child just took off all his clothes, in the hallway, at school. My child just threw his body onto the floor, while pitching the mother of all crying fits, because it was time to leave the bookstore. See? Punk'd. These are just a few of our experiences - I could fill a book. All were mortifying when they happened, but in hindsight, I can see the humor in them, because...

3. I'm aware that laughter can get us through anything.

If I couldn't laugh at our crazy uniqueness, I'd probably cry. For as little as he says, our Bear is one of the funniest people I've ever met. Life with him has given us a reservoir of material for stories at parties. He also has the sweetest, most contagious laugh in the world. The humor that he finds in us is just as precious.

Click here to read the full article!

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Local Movie Theaters Hosting "Sensory Friendly" Showtimes

Sensory Friendly showtimes logo In 2007, AMC Theaters in Columbia, Maryland received a request from a parent of a child with autism. She asked for a special screening of a movie so that her family could enjoy the film in a safe and accepting environment.The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!

More than 300 children and parents attended the first screening. Many other theater chains have joined AMC in offering the program at locations nationwide.

In most locations,the following accommodations are made for sensory-friendly showings:

Lights will dim, but remain on.
Volume will be lowered.
Movies begin at show time with limited previews.
Shown in 2D with open captioning.
Cheering, calling out, or even strolling around the theater is welcome!

Dreamworks Home movie poster Upcoming screenings at Celebration Cinemas in Mt. Pleasant include: (all shows begin at 10:30am)

April 4th - Home

May 9th - Avengers: Age of Ultron
June 27th - Disney Pixar's Inside Out
July 18th - Minions

Upcoming screenings at Neighborhood Cinema Group theaters in Alma and Midland include: (all shows begin at 10:00am)

April 4th - Home

May 23rd - Tomorrowland

June 20th - Inside Out

July 11th - Minions

DNMM has been in contact with Goodrich Quality Theaters (GQT) in Bay City and Saginaw. GQT has begun to incorporate sensory-friendly shows into some of their theaters, unfortunately neither Saginaw or Bay City are currently participating. Both theaters hope to soon. We encourage you to contact your local theater and ask them to take part in this important program!

If you know of other movie theaters that offer this service, please let us know by calling 989-835-4041 or by clicking here.

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A Person-Centered Training Provided by
Terri Cady, DNMM & Gina Kolevar, Region VII AAA

WHEN: April 30th & May 1st, 2015 8:45am - 4:30pm

WHERE: Region VII Area Agency on Aging
1615 S. Euclid Avenue, Bay City, MI 48706

This program is co-provided by the Starling Center for Organizational Development. Both dates are required.

Why Person-Centered Thinking Capacity Building?

Capacity building assumes a presumed competence in the practice of supports and services coordination. The capacity building philosophy is a strength-based approach to professional development that draws upon prior knowledge and experience. The aim is to expand participant PCT capacities and explore ways to display PCT in daily nursing practice.

Program Goal/Purpose

Specifically, this training seeks to advance culture change in the long-term care environment through the lens of registered nurses and social workers. The goal is to develop and strengthen capacities in these staff related to the person-centered approach that can be used both personally and professionally in daily practice when working with older adults and persons with disabilities.

Learner Objectives

Illustrate a practical application of person-centeredness within practice.
Construct meaning of transformational change.
Cultivate increased self-awareness.
Demonstrate self-regulation in the communications process.
Foster relationships with unconditional positive regard.

Capacity-Building Topics:

A practical application of person-centeredness within nursing supports and services coordination practice.
Transformational change.
Self-awareness in practice.
Self-regulation in the communications process.
Foster relationships with unconditional positive regard; promoting an expansion in capacity and constructive change in oneself and others.
Applying the Person-Centered Planning Process in Nursing Supports and Services Coordination.

Disclosures & Continuing Education

Criteria for successful completion: attendance at the entire program, as well as completion and submission of a program evaluation form.
No conflict of interest for planners or presenters, including financial relationships, has been identified relative to this program.
No commercial support/sponsorship has been accepted relative to this program.
This activity will provide 11 contact hours Social Workers, 13 hours nurses.
This course has been approved by the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative and is recognized as an approved program by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Health Professions. Course approval number-010814-03
This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Approval valid through February 19, 2016. Assigned ONA number: 16930

More Information & Registration Contact-Gina 989-893-4506

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Free Legal Advice: Ask A Lawyer

a group of lawyers Do you need legal advice or do you just want to ask a legal question?

Come to

Ask A Lawyer Night!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 6:00 - 7:30pm

Butman - Fish Library, 1716 Hancock St., Saginaw

A panel of local attorneys will answer general questions on most legal matters including Divorce, Custody, Bankruptcy, Probate, Estate Planning, Property Law, Driver Licences, Criminal, Employment and more. The attorneys will not be able to comment on your particular case.

Presented by:

Saginaw County Bar Association

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan

Public Libraries of Saginaw

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Take Your Legislator To Work Day

The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council is gearing up for its Annual Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October). This Campaign is designed to highlight people with developmental disabilities who have community-integrated jobs. The council is now accepting recommendations for individuals to participate in this year's campaign.

worker with disability and his legislator Participants will be selected based on the criteria listed in the attached application. Please note the number one criteria is participants must work in a community-integrated setting, not in segregated employment.

Please review the participant criteria for consideration of recommending an individual for the campaign. Complete and email the application to Meredith Smith at by 5:00pm, Friday, May 15, 2015. Please inform the individual of your recommendation.

Should you have any questions, please contact Meredith Smith, Communications Representative at (517) 335-1542.

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Community Feedback: Questions of the Month

We need your input! Here's an easy way for your voice to be heard!

As part of our on-going efforts to make our communities accessible, we're asking our readers questions each month. We'll use your answers, your suggestions, and your opinions as a basis for determining what we can do, in terms of services and advocacy, to build fully inclusive communities.

April 2015 Question:

Now that Spring is finally here - we hope - what are some activities you enjoy in the spring? What is the most accessible park in your neighborhood? Please feel free to share the names of businesses, parks, venues, beaches or other accessible places you frequent in the spring.

Click here to submit your answer(s) to the question. Your responses will be anonymous and we will not share your name or email information with any third party.

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STATEMENT OF ACCESSIBILITY

DNMM advocates for the removal of barriers to independence and full inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Mid-Michigan area. DNMM pledges to ensure accessibility. Each year, DNMM conducts a review of its own architectural, environmental, attitudinal, employment, communication, transportation, and other barriers that may exist which prohibit full access to our services.

If you have any issues of concern regarding the accessibility of DNMM services and facilities, we encourage you to share that information with us.

Please send your concerns or suggestions to:

Executive Director

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan

1705 S. Saginaw Road

Midland, MI 48640

Disability Network of Mid-Michigan is a CARF - Accredited, United Way non-profit agency serving:

Alcona, Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Iosco, Isabella, Midland, Ogemaw, Roscommon, and Saginaw counties.

In This Issue

April is Autism and Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month

MI Hidden Talent Tour Comes to Saginaw

A Quilt For Home

15 Things I'm Aware Of

Sensory Friendly Showtimes at Movie Theaters

Person Centered Training Offered by DNMM & Region VII AAA

Ask The Lawyer - Free Legal Advice

Take Your Legislator To Work Day

Community Feedback: Question of the Month

Board of Directors

Officers:
Harry Leaver

- President

Teresa Oliver

- Vice President

Andrea Bridgewater

- Secretary

Norm Donker

- Treasurer

Members at Large:

Dr. Bill Bateman

Frank Champagne

Dr. Barbara Gibson

Mary Laforet

June Price

Jerry Pritchett

Tom Provoast

Mary Reif

Tim Troy

Executive Director:

David Emmel

On The Web

www.dnmm.org

Social Media

E-Mail
info@dnmm.org

ATTENTION STUDENTS!

Click here to join the Disability Network STAGES Facebook Group!

"There are very few people, even with the most severe disabilities, who cannot take control of their own lives. And there is no life without taking risks."

-Ed Roberts

Founder of the Independent Living Movement

Disability Network of

Mid-Michigan celebrates
25 years of promoting and encouraging independence for all people with disabilities.

UPCOMING EVENTS