Category: 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

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

October 30, 2019

There’s an App for That!

Apps, or mobile applications, have revolutionized our lives. We use apps to get directions, shop online, increase productivity, or motivate us to make a lifestyle change. But did you know that apps have also made a huge impact on the lives of people living with disabilities? Apps can assist with communication, learning new skills, daily routines, and so much more....

Categories General/Resources/Technology

October 16, 2019

Could the Person You Support Benefit from Physical or Occupational Therapy? It’s Not a Far Stretch.

As HCQU staff, we are often times asked to come in and provide insight as to how best to support an individual and their team that may be struggling with medical, behavioral, emotional, and physical complications. These are called Intensive Technical Assists or ITAs. As we try to sleuth our way through medical and psychiatric records along with input from...

Categories General/Resources

October 2, 2019

Music: The Body and Mind Connection

Reach over and flip on the radio….BOOM…it’s a song you remember from your childhood, a song where you played it and then played it 20 more times, a song that takes you to a specific moment in time shared by you and someone special to you.  In an instant you are transported back to that place. Not only does music...

Categories Everyday Life/General/Resources

September 11, 2019

Social Skills and Autism Resources

This past summer the family of 20 year old Graham Sierota, the drummer for the band Echosmith, released a statement to people magazine about his diagnosis of Autism and general lack of understanding of social cues. It was discovered that Mr. Sierota had been messaging the 13 year old daughter of Travis Barker, the drummer for Blink-132, since she was...

Categories Community/General/Resources

August 28, 2019

Raise Your Vibration

This past weekend I had an amazing opportunity to go to the Great Rhythm Revival in Sherman, NY. At this event, for four glorious days over two hundred people joined hands and hearts in rhythmic bliss.  We danced, we drummed, we hummed, and we opened up to the health healing that took place all around us and within us. Led...

Categories Community/General/Resources