Category: General

May 18, 2022

Changes in the DSM-5

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual is a handbook utilized by clinicians and psychiatrists to diagnose people with mental health disorders. The handbook lists the specific criteria to be given a specific diagnosis. The DSM-5 was released in 2013. The DSM-5-TR (text revision) was released in March 2022. Two changes are significant to our system. These include those related to intellectual disability...

Categories General/Resources

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...

Categories Community/General

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...

Categories Community/General

April 27, 2022

William “Billy” Erwin

The following piece was written by Aly Delp, April 14, 2021 and originally published on explorevenango.com. William “Billy” Erwin, 72, of Clarion, passed away late Monday evening, April 12, 2021, at the Grove City Hospital. He was born in 1948 into some challenging circumstances, but he never asked why me or wept for what could be. The odds, you might...

Categories General

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...

Categories Community/General/Resources

April 13, 2022

Evusheld Authorized: New COVID-19 Treatment

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for AstraZeneca’s Evusheld™. Evusheld is a new COVID-19 treatment designed to prevent COVID-19 infection in vulnerable and immunocompromised individuals who may not have an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. In immunocompromised patients, a vaccination may not generate enough immunity so they are still able to have a severe infection. Evusheld gives...

Categories General/Resources

April 6, 2022

David O’Conner, Ready, Set, Go!

I had the pleasure of meeting David O’Conner and hearing, first hand, about his experience with Special Olympics.  David proudly told me that he lost 25 pounds while getting ready to run the 15K.  He also spoke about how his increased activity has helped manage depression.  David also shared that he has had ups and downs in his life but...

Categories General/Resources

March 23, 2022

Troy Kotsur Nominated for Multiple Awards for His Starring Role in CODA

Troy Kotsur stars in CODA, a movie where he plays a father operating a fishing business. “CODA” stands for “Child of Deaf Adults.” The story really centers on Ruby, played by Emelia Jones. Ruby is the 17-year-old daughter, and the only member of the family that is not deaf. She acts as an interpreter for her parents played by Kotsur...

Categories General

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...

Categories Community/General/Resources

March 9, 2022

Risky Business: Falls

This time of year we are all at more risk for falls due to snow and ice on sidewalks and parking lots.  But did you know that people with intellectual disabilities are always at a higher risk for falls, no matter what time of year it is?  Not only is the risk of falling greater for people with intellectual disabilities...

Categories General