Milestone HCQU West Blog - News, Resources, and Innovative Ideas & Supports

February 4, 2026

Beware of High Blood Pressure: It’s the Silent Killer

February is American Heart Month and I want to discuss High Blood Pressure (HBP) also known as The Silent Killer. According to the American Heart Association nearly 50% of Americans have high blood pressure and many don’t know. (1) Through out my nursing career I have seen many people surprised by their diagnosis of high blood pressure because they “felt...

General

January 28, 2026

Wheel the World. Accessibility Gets Real.

Want to explore the great big, wide world? Wheel the World might be your booking companion and tour guide. Maybe you faced accessibility issues in the past and have stayed house bound since. Maybe you support someone and are afraid that leaving the sanctuary of the familiar is just too risky and unknown. Wheel the World might take some of...

Resources

January 21, 2026

Variety Helps Kids, Be Kids

The Thrilling Cycle Do you remember receiving your first bike? Remember how it felt when you got it? I do. It was the summer I was 10 years old, and I was playing in the back yard. I turned around and saw my dad walking through the grass pushing a BRAND-NEW bike. Moreover, he was headed right for me! To...

Community/General/Resources

January 14, 2026

Are You Considering a GLP-1 for Weight Loss?

What are GLPs? First it is important to understand what GLP medications are and what they do. This will help to decide if you are a candidate for this medication and if you and your medical provider believe they are appropriate for you. It is essential that people who consider using GLP-1 medications for weight loss consult with a healthcare...

General

January 7, 2026

Journaling: Expressing Your Way to Wellness

Journaling…we’ve all heard the word, but up until the coronavirus pandemic I hadn’t really thought much about it. Lately, though, it’s been on my mind. What is a journal? I’ve always heard that writing can be therapeutic. Put your thoughts on paper, see them, read them, meditate on them. I’ve never been much of a writer so writing my prayers,...

General

December 31, 2025

Beyond Words: Communication Tools that Empower

Communication is not just about talking; it’s about making connections, expressing needs, sharing emotions, and asserting control over your life. Imagine how it would feel to live a life without being able to communicate. A life that doesn’t allow you to let the people you care about know how you feel. Being able to communicate is essential to human dignity...

General/Technology

December 23, 2025

Listening to the Unspoken: A Little Girl Couldn’t Speak

I took part in a webinar hosted by Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association (DDNA). The title, Unspoken Symphony, intrigued me. I am a musician and as a HCQU nurse working for many years with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I’m all ears. Meeting Riley Using a recorded video, the speaker introduced a family. Specifically, the daughter, Riley. Riley is...

General/Resources

December 17, 2025

Laughing at My Nightmare: Spreading Joy and Accessibility This Holiday Season

When you think of holiday giving, you may picture gifts, warm meals, and moments spent with loved ones. All of these are wonderful but for one amazing nonprofit, giving means something even bigger, helping people with disabilities live more independently and joyfully. Laughing At My Nightmare (LAMN), is a nonprofit, based out of Bethlehem PA, started by Shane Burcaw, a...

General

December 10, 2025

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra: Sensory-Friendly Concert

Searching for the perfect holiday activity? Do you or someone you support love Christmas music and theatre? If so, I’ve got an experience that will fill your heart with holiday cheer! The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) invites you to a one-day-only Sensory-Friendly Holiday Pops concert on December 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Heinz Hall! This inclusive event is designed...

Community/General

December 3, 2025

Health Care Appointments Make You Go “EEEK”? Consider These Tips

Going to the doctor can be stressful at times for some people. Whether you are the person supporting someone with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism or you are a person with IDD and Autism, there are simple ways to make navigating appointments a smoother and a more positive experience. Before the Appointment Prior to going to the appointment, it can...

General/Resources