SUPPORT GROUPS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
One of the most important community resources where individuals with disabilities and their families can meet for discussion, socialization, recreation and information is a support group. Support groups provide more than just a place to emotionally begin to deal with the consequences of a disability, they are often the primary long term support system for individuals and their families.
Support groups, like ice cream, come in a variety of flavors such as: Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson/Huntington's, Diabetes, Women's Cross-Disability, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Developmental Delay, Stroke, Alzheimer's, Cancer, Ostomy, Caregivers, etc. Support groups can consist of family groups, spouses groups, youth groups, and sibling groups. Groups may meet in Independent Living Centers, private homes, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and community meeting rooms. They all provide some kind of resource information, education, and support.
With disabilities comes consequences, whether subtle or severe. The manner in which the person with a disability and family accommodate, adapt to, and provide support of the consequences, directly affects the lives of all persons within the extended family. There is no question that outcome is improved when there is a strong support system and individuals with disabilities are involved in activities that help them maintain an independent lifestyle.
Support groups should provide a setting where people with disabilities can share information, empathize with others, explore options for re-entering the community, learn ways to compensate for functional limitations, develop appropriate social skills, and rebuild their self-esteem. Families at the same time should learn about the nature and consequences of the disability, ways to be better advocates, and learn healthier ways of coping. The group should be advancing public awareness about the disability and advocating for ways to improve the system and provide additional services.
Support groups should be thriving and increasing in number to meet the needs of the rapidly growing and aging population of persons with disabilities. Support group attendance fluctuates often. Sometimes, family members don't realize the importance of accompanying the family member to the meetings. Many individuals whose improved levels of functioning enable them to get around independently, may wish to distance themselves from what they perceive to be overly protective parents or friends. OIL is a strong advocate for independence, the ultimate goal for a person with a disability. However, it is still vitally important for well informed family members to continue their support. Support groups can be an important resource and an inspiration for families and friends.
Strong community support groups access resources where people with disabilities, their families, and professionals in the field can learn about the disability and its consequences, share and compare information, talk about losses, celebrate successes, acquire advocacy skills, and learn more about self-determination. Many positive benefits result from this pro-active approach. "Getting Involved" by working to develop or strengthen support groups is a wonderful coping mechanism. The education and information will better prepare families to troubleshoot or prevent problems that are common with disability. It's also important for groups to maintain the members that have been around for a while, their support and inspiration is vital to people who have acquired, or been diagnosed with a disability.
OIL offers many different support groups to the community. OIL believes "getting involved" with a strong support system is essential to a person with a disability. Many support groups meet monthly at OIL. If you need to be part of a support group, contact OIL and get involved. If you have attended a support group but have wavered, OIL welcomes you back!! If there is a group that is not in existence and you would like to facilitate it, talk to OIL and we will see what we can do. "Get Involved"!! - Pam Pulchny
CLOSING GAPS
The National Organization on Disability recently released findings of the Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities. This was the third survey conducted by Harris since 1986. The survey showed that Americans with Disabilities still face sharp gaps in securing jobs, education, transportation and in many areas of daily life. Here are some things Americans can do to help close the gap in employment.
Employers - in business, government, public agencies, community institutions and groups - all can examine their practices and develop strategies for seeking out and hiring people with disabilities.
Businesses must and can implement Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for accommodations in the workplace for people with disabilities, and at reasonable cost. Recent business studies show, it requires on average less than $300 to accommodate a worker with a disability.
Home based employment and other forms of workplace flexibility are beneficial to many workers, including the disabled. From working parents to people with disabilities, many people are taking advantage of technology advances that allow them to telecommute and still play an active role in filling the nation's growing job vacancies.
Disability awareness and accessibility is good business. Consumers prefer to deal with businesses that address their needs. The 54 million Americans with disabilities are a prime consumer market actively courted by companies who can meet their needs.
Use an untapped pool of talent. People with disabilities can contribute innovative and resourceful thinking to the collective knowledge of their work places and communities, because they face unique external challenges as they negotiate the physical world around them, as well as internal challenges to their identity as individuals and as members of society.
PVA PUBLISHES MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WELLNESS GUIDE
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Research and Education Program has published an informational guide for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), emphasizing how those with the disease can lead full lives.
Entitled "Multiple Sclerosis: A Self-Care Guide to Wellness," the 150-page book informs patients and families about how MS affects the lives of both those with the disease and those who provide care.
"This MS guide emphasizes that wellness can be achieved through education and commitment," stated Kenneth C. Huber, PVA national president. "For those presently affected, there are treatments available that reduce the severity of the disease and slow its progression. This guide outlines some of these treatments."
Traditionally, education about multiple sclerosis was medically oriented and slanted towards the consequences of the disease and the resulting dysfunction. "PVA's guide is different in that the contributors have concentrated on wellness, which is critical during this period of managed care and the increasingly difficult access to medical services, " Huber stated.
"The guide covers a broad spectrum of topics related to MS and its implications. Practical tips on self-care are designed to promote maximum independence, well-being and productivity. Contributors to the guide are professionals who have a speciality or special interest in multiple sclerosis. Their suggestions, advice and strategies come from years of experience in the field," Huber added.
"It is the hope of PVA and those contributors to this important book, that after reading this guide, those with MS will come away with fresh ideas on how to cope with the disease," Huber said.
Copies of "Multiple Sclerosis: A Self-Care Guide to Wellness" is available for $9 by calling the PVA Distribution Center at (888)860-7244, or by sending your request to P.O. Box 753, Waldorf, MD 20604-0753.
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to Gloria Woolf!! She is celebrating one year of independence. She has been an OIL consumer for nine years and until last year, had resided in nursing homes since she was 34 years old. Gloria knew that because of her mobility limitations she would have some difficulty but she has worked through them and OIL is proud of her success. "I am doing wonderful! It is great being able to go to church, shopping, and participate in things in my community. I am so grateful to OIL for their assistance in getting me out of the nursing home as well as for the assistance and support they continue to give."
CHRISTMAS PARTY FUNDRAISER
A raffle is being held to raise fund's for OIL's Annual Pittsburg County Christmas Party for Children with Disabilities. A Digital Satellite System is being raffled. The System includes a compact 18 inch dish, remote control, set-top receiver, and installation kit for a $1.00 per ticket donation. Canisters are set up at different locations within Pittsburg County. If you know of a business that would allow us to set up a canister or you can help by selling tickets, please call Leanna at OIL as soon as possible as the drawing will be on November 24th. The Party is quite an undertaking so anyone's assistance will be of great value and will aide us in making the event successful.
CHRISTMAS PARTY REGISTRATION
The Christmas Party for Children with Disabilities will be on Saturday, December 12. It will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Puterbaugh Middle School Cafeteria, 1100 E. South Street. All children with a disability (and/or an Individualized Education Plan, IEP) and their siblings, 15 and under who registered, will receive a gift from Santa. Registration must be made no later than, December 4. A sign language interpreter will be available for the program. Turkey, ham, and all the trimmings will be served, but you are asked to bring a store bought packaged dessert. For transportation on our lift-equipped bus, please call, no later than, Wednesday, December 9. If you and/or your children are interested in attending, call right now. REMEMBER, AN RSVP IS REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE A GIFT.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY WAS A SUCCESS!!!
On October 24, twenty-five area volunteers completed nine jobs!! Volunteers mowed, weed eated, trimmed trees and hedges on four area yards!! Two wheelchairs were repaired, two homes had eight windows wrapped and caulked with plastic for the winter and one individual received light housekeeping!! Whew!! That's a job well done!! Thanks to everyone who volunteered and gave up their Saturday to Make A Difference!!
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER PROJECT
Fall is here, the weather is cooling down, it's time to get out and work! Enjoy this fall by being a volunteer helping those around you. For more information contact OIL.
OIL THANKSGIVING DINNER
The Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. We will meet at the Choctaw Community Center, 1636 S. George Nigh Expressway. Turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings will be provided but you are asked to bring a store bought dessert. Call early to reserve a spot on the lift-equipped bus.
TRANSPORTATION
OIL's demand response, first come first served transportation program is open to the public. Prior day notification is required and the bus is lift equipped to help meet your needs. The hours of operation are from 8:45 am to 4:45 pm, Monday thru Friday. For more information, call Kenetha. To schedule the use of the bus, call OIL and ask for transportation. Cost is $1 one way, or $2 round trip.
OIL OFFERS TRAINING
If you are a person with a disability and feel that you need to learn a skill to help you in your every day life, such as budgeting/check writing, improve math skills, tips on cooking or house cleaning, either standing, or from a wheelchair, contact OIL. OIL also offers the Laubach reading course and basic word processing. What ever you feel you need, call Terry and discuss it with her.
PARKINSON/HUNTINGTON'S SUPPORT GROUP
The Parkinson's Fall Symposium to be held in Tulsa, OK on November 7 will serve as this month's meeting.
Speakers, all from Tulsa, Oklahoma and the areas they will address are as follows: Dr. Jeanne Edwards, Medical Director APDA and Neurologist, will be speaking about the medication update on Mirapex, Requip and Tasmar. Dr. James Schumacher, Neurosurgeon, will discuss the research update on Pig Cell Transplant. Dr. Steven Gaede, Neurosurgeon, will talk about the surgery update on Stimulator Implantation & Research. Desiree Gendron, Registered Dietician, Nutrition & Parkinson's Disease.
Living with Parkinson's Disease is challenging both to the person diagnosed and to the family or care giver. The goal of the symposium is to provide education regarding what's new, medical and surgical treatment, research findings, and nutrition. There is no charge for the symposium and lunch will be provided. Please call Gina Lewis at OIL for more information.
LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP
The Lupus Support Group will meet on Thursday November 12, at 7:00 p.m at OIL. Starting in November, the group will meet the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
DD AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM SUPPORT GROUP
A support group meeting will be held for persons with Developmental Disabilities and the Special Olympics team members will be held on Thursday, November 20, at 2:00 p.m. The group will meet at OIL for socialization and to discuss future activities. Everyone is asked to bring a snack such as cookies, chips, or dip. If you need transportation, call Kathy at least the day before.
DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP
The Diabetes Support Group will not meet again until after the holidays. Their next scheduled meeting will be the last Thursday of January 1999.