Category: Resources

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...

Categories General/Resources

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...

Categories General/Resources

November 12, 2025

The Pressure is On: The Fight Against Pressure Injuries

November 20th is National Pressure Wound Awareness Day. It occurs the third Thursday of November each year. According to National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), 2.5 million people develop pressure injuries every year. Additionally, 67.1 thousand people die every year as a direct result of pressure injuries. Not only is there a high cost of life, but also the financial burden...

Categories General/Resources

November 5, 2025

Like to Shop? Check Out the Holiday Shopping Guide

Many people like to give gifts this time of year as part of their holiday traditions. Perhaps you pride yourself on finding unique surprises for birthdays or anniversaries. Maybe you’re the type of person that springs an unexpected gift on a loved-one just because it is wonderful Wednesday. Whatever it is that gets you shopping, did you consider our Holiday...

Categories Community/Resources

October 1, 2025

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  To honor this month and bring attention to it, I’d like to take a moment of your time and introduce you to the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh (DSAP).  For those of you who may not be familiar with the DSAP, it is a small, non-profit agency which supports the Down syndrome community...

Categories General/Resources

September 10, 2025

Got to Love That Libby

Ok fellow readers, I’ve been a major fan of Libby for about five years now. I have to make a fuss. If you’re asking “Who or what is Libby?,” get ready to jump on the fan bandwagon. What is Libby? Libby is basically your local library made virtual. Yes! The library can come to our living rooms, nay closer, the...

Categories General/Resources

September 3, 2025

You Heard that Right: Project ECHO

Project ECHO is an educational program offered by Penn State College of Medicine. ECHO stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes and is an internationally-recognized, evidence-based approach to continuing education and telementoring. It focuses on sharing knowledge across milesand disciplines. Project ECHO actually started back in 2018 and has been influencing positive health outcomes around Pennsylvania and beyond. We want...

Categories General/Resources

August 27, 2025

Camping The Great Outdoor Escape

Camping has been growing in increasing popularity.  More and more people are taking their travels on the road in RVs.  It’s a great way to vacation. Many RVs are like personal tiny homes with all the accommodations you’d find in your own house. Some places even rent RVs for those that don’t want to jump all in and buy one.Still,...

Categories Community/Resources

July 30, 2025

Beautiful Places to Explore in PA

Did you know… there are more than 2,000,000 acres of state forests, 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, and 86,000 miles of rivers and streams to explore just in Pennsylvania alone! While researching I found some really beautiful, historical parks that were not too far from home.  Some of these parks I have visited on occasion. Some I may have driven by...

Categories Community/General/Resources

July 23, 2025

Check Out Erie Beaches: Where Accessibility and Adventure Meet

Last summer, I had the pleasure of exploring Erie, Pennsylvania. I was genuinely impressed by its natural beauty and commitment to accessibility when we explored Presque Isle for the day.  We spent time at Beach 11. The soft, white sand stood out. It was smooth and rock-free, unlike some of the other beaches nearby. It was the kind of place...

Categories Community/Resources