Category: Community

June 8, 2022

“It’s Cool to Fly American Airlines” Program Returns to Assist Passengers with Disabilities

With Covid restrictions easing many are making travel plans for vacations or to visit with family.   While many know and understand the process of flying to their destination, for people with Autism and other disabilities, the experience can cause anxiety, fear, or discomfort.   This can create challenges that may cause someone with disabilities to refuse to fly. In 2014, American...

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June 1, 2022

Summer Fun Done Safely

Summer is just around the corner!  it’s my favorite time of the year! It’s when I can get outdoors and connect with nature more, whether it’s through a day at the park or just getting some summer projects started. There are so many fun activities that can be created, even in your own backyard… How about welcoming hummingbirds with a...

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May 11, 2022

“Lettuce” Help with Dinner

Be-Leaf it or not, North Country Brewery Growing Together Aquaponics and Milestone HCQU West partnered together to mix up the dinner menu – with salad mix, that is. “Lettuce Help With Dinner”  kicked off Wednesday, April 13, 2022 when 29 bags were delivered to 87 participants.  Pre-registered homes received healthy greens and a six-step recipe card to make a delicious, nutritious...

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May 4, 2022

Lyme Disease: Learning from ID Connect

On April 20th, 2022 the nurses from Health Care Quality Units (HCQU’s) across the state of Pennsylvania (PA) had the opportunity to participate in a live webinar given by ID Connect physician, Dr. Antoine Auguste, MD, MPH, on Lyme Disease. Living in Western PA, I am sure that you or someone you know has been bitten by a tick. Lyme...

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April 20, 2022

Put a Little Spring in Your Step with the Adapted Fitness Program at the Butler YMCA

The Butler YMCA began running a series of fitness classes March 14, 2022. These classes are listed as being ideal for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Caregivers and support staff can attend free of charge. The program was developed by Corrado Bello who has worked at the Butler Y for almost 3 years in membership and as a personal...

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March 30, 2022

Celebrating People with a Little Something Extra

World Down Syndrome Day was March 21st, 2022. Down syndrome, or Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder that occurs when there is an extra copy, either full or partial, of chromosome 21. This occurs in about 1 in 800 births. Because Down syndrome occurs genetically, people who have this diagnosis typically share some common traits or characteristics. These include low...

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March 16, 2022

Looking for Gluten Free Treats, Sweet and Savory?  Gluten Free by D&D is the place to go.

I had a chance to visit Gluten Free by D&D in Volant, PA and was so impressed, I wanted to let others know about this bakery. Gluten Free by D&D is run by a mother and daughter team, Dawn and Deanna. They got the idea for the bakery when a family member contracted Lyme disease and the physician suggested an...

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February 16, 2022

That’s the Power of Love!

Ok before you skip off to youtube or rewatch 1985’s Back to the Future that featured Huey Lewis’s fantastic single “The Power of Love”, I want to share some thoughts with you this Valentine’s week. Romantic love gets a major spotlight on Valentine’s Day but let’s not forget nor underestimate the power of friendship. Think about what having a friend...

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February 9, 2022

One Word … Love… Meet Nate Simon

Meet Nate Simon! He is a 19-year-old gentleman with a fashion statement of fun and dressed to impress! Nate and his family own 21 Pineapples Shirt Company.  They have only been in business a few months but it has taken off across the country!   It was such an honor to speak with Nate and his Mother, Holly, before the...

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February 2, 2022

Open Up Pittsburgh

A friend of mine recently clued me into Open Up Pittsburgh. Don’t you like the sound of that name? To me it sounds like a call to step up and be inclusive. That’s right this has nothing to do with business closures, this has to do with opening up to wellness, community, equity, and accessibility. Their mission is briefly expressed...

Categories Community/General/Resources