Category: Resources

July 15, 2020

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! Over the last few months with all of the changes that took effect in our lives with COVID-19, I started thinking about all the things I wanted to do once I...

Categories Community/General/Resources

July 8, 2020

News from Google Helps People with Disabilities

It is widely acknowledged that smart phones and tablet computers are playing a significant part in improving the lives of people with disabilities. New technology to make things easier for those with cognitive and physical disabilities is being introduced by Google™. An app, Action Blocks™, designed for Android™ devices will make smartphone tasks more manageable.  A block (shortcut) can be created for...

Categories General/Resources/Technology

July 1, 2020

Let’s Go to the School of Strength

I don’t know about you but these days being a homebody means I’m a whole lot more sedentary than usual. We’ve had some really gorgeous weather days that gave me the opportunity to get out in my yard for a bit of a walk but what about extra blazing hot days? I know the weather sometimes has me ducking indoors...

Categories General/Resources

June 24, 2020

Variety…Helping Kids, Be Kids

Do you remember receiving your first bike and how you 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, and he was headed right for me!  To say I was...

Categories Community/General/Resources

June 10, 2020

Let’s Commit to Fit Pennsylvania!

COVID-19 might have suspended Special Olympics’ events but Pennsylvanians do not let that keep them down. SOPA (Special Olympics Pennsylvania) launched a virtual workout program called Commit to Fit. Athletes, volunteers, supporters, everyone can stay active together, though we’re social distancing, via the daily workout videos. You’re invited and encouraged to follow along on any of their social media channels...

Categories General/Resources

April 15, 2020

Being Prepared: Remote Support

Keeping people safe and healthy is always our goal.  What happens when the person we support must be hospitalized?  The hospital is not always aware of how the person we support communicates, takes medication, what their health history is, or what type of diet the person requires.  Many times, we can provide input and even staffing to help the person...

Categories Community/General/Resources

April 8, 2020

Information for People Who Have Special Needs Around Vision Difficulties

I want to share two Pennsylvania resources I recently discovered for those who are legally blind. First, you might be asking what does it mean to be diagnosed as legally blind? Well, according to my first resource, Pennsylvania Blind Association, “Legal blindness refers to clinically measured visual acuity of 20/200 in the better eye with best correction, or visual field...

Categories General/Resources

February 26, 2020

Fashion for People of All Abilities

Fashion… it’s something we all think about everyday as we get up and get dressed for the day.  It’s easy to pick out what you are going to wear for the day.  It’s easy for you to button up a shirt or zip up your pants; you don’t even have to think about it, or ask, or rely on anyone...

Categories Everyday Life/General/Resources

February 12, 2020

For the Love of Horses

I recently had the opportunity to experience Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Butler, PA. The Center offers therapeutic riding opportunities to adults and children with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. The owner, Deb Campbell, was nothing but delightful. She and her staff were patient in offering instructions on how to groom the horses. Riding will be offered again beginning...

Categories Community/General/Resources

December 4, 2019

Pain

Pain.  It’s not something that a person often registers into their brain until ones’ self is in pain.  It is often not our first thought when we see someone frowning, walking slowly, or furrowing their brow.  We may think the person is unhappy or “in a bad mood.”  Thinking in terms of the people we support, there is often a...

Categories General/Resources