Category: General

December 22, 2021

The Present

Many different traditions and celebrations are being remembered this time of year. As you remember the past, far distant or the recent months, I hope you also cherish the value of being present. Sometimes that means being a listening ear as someone meanders down memory lane. They just need a tender heart willing to glimpse at what they are sharing....

Categories Everyday Life/General

December 15, 2021

What If Christmas Is Not So Merry?

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and for many people it may be true.  However, for many others Christmas time and all the holidays that surround it are not so merry. In fact they can cause anxiety, loneliness, depression, or an increase in stress, leaving a person actually miserable.  Everywhere you look Christmas is on display.  Commercials advertising...

Categories Community/General

December 8, 2021

STATION MD

At the latest Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Nurses Network (PADDN) virtual conference Dr. Maulik Trivedi of StationMD was a guest speaker. He presented information on a growing trend in healthcare, telemedicine.  This company is geared specifically toward individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in group residences. StationMD is staffed by board certified medical professionals who have experience in taking care of...

Categories General/Resources/Technology

December 1, 2021

What’s the Hype? Hypothyroidism

Thyroid dysfunction can be life changing, as I personally found out several years ago. I want to share my experience with thyroid issues as I hope it will help others. It was a difficult time for me; perhaps my story can help readers avoid leaving medical issues unidentified and untreated.  It just seemed like I woke up one morning and...

Categories General

November 24, 2021

Gratitude is Everything

A year holds so very much in it. For some it is endless change. That change can be grand, wonderful things or it can be devastating loss. For others the year stretched long in sameness and not the changes they might have wished. But throughout the rollercoasters and monotony, there is one thing everyone can do in their ride through...

Categories Everyday Life/General

November 17, 2021

Accessible Chef

Our goal as providers and caregivers is to give people with disabilities an everyday life.  What is an everyday life?  According to the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), “An everyday life is about opportunities, relationships, rights, and responsibilities.  It is about being a member of the community, having a valued role, making a contribution to society, and having one’s rights...

Categories Everyday Life/General/Resources/Technology

November 10, 2021

Your Personal Guide: MagnusCards

Figuring out the nuances of day to day life, from interacting with others to navigating local stores, can be confusing for many of us. Take my current situation as an example. My local grocery store is going through a remodel. Now, having lived in the same town for almost 20 years, I have gotten used to what items are in...

Categories General

November 3, 2021

Love – You Feel It, You Sign It

There are many ways to express our love and appreciation for other people. Love Letters by Emily (lovelettersbyemily.com) helps you express it in unique pieces featuring American Sign Language (ASL). This Rhode Island, family-based company has a big online presence. Love Letters by Emily was actually inspired by Emily’s Teacher of the Deaf who photographed her hand fingerspelling LOVE in...

Categories General/Resources

October 27, 2021

Cushion Consideration

When do you know its time for the dreaded shopping trip for new shoes?  Do you go based on how much tread is left?  Do you wait until you have toes poking through a hole in your shoes?  Is it time to go when you no longer have any arch support?  Or do you schedule it for every 6 months?...

Categories General

October 20, 2021

Down Syndrome Association of the Valley

I recently had the pleasure to meet Michele Jones, the President of Down Syndrome Association of the Valley (DSAV).  DSAV serves Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania as a regional support group. She was excited to share some of the opportunities that DSAV has to offer people with Down Syndrome and their families.  Down Syndrome Association of the Valley provides everything...

Categories Community/General/Resources