Category: General

October 4, 2023

What’s the Connection?

Do you have any guesses what might be the number one medical diagnosis for people with intellectual disabilities in our region?  If you guessed constipation, you are correct!  The people we support are more frequently diagnosed with constipation than anything else.  Take a moment to think about how many people you work with are on ducolax, miralax, or any other...

Categories General

September 20, 2023

Words Hit Like A Fist

In the past year, our HCQU team has been working with a young person with an intellectual disability that has experienced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.  All of it has been documented and all of the right people have been informed to get this person help.  I just celebrated my twenty first year at the HCQU and twenty seventh year...

Categories General/Resources

September 13, 2023

A Tip Of The Hat

This week we celebrate Direct Support Professionals week.  I have seen many organizations proudly share their support for DSP’s.  We at the Milestone HCQU West also are thankful and grateful that DSP’s choose to continue on in this profession. I have worked Direct Care, but not in the last several decades, and I started to think about how different today’s...

Categories Community/General

September 6, 2023

How to Travel Successfully with Accessibility

Gabrielle deFiebre boarded a Delta Airlines flight to enjoy a fun girl’s weekend. Gabrielle has traverse myelitis and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Her wheelchair is measured for her body and to meet her specific needs, it is not easily replaced. Upon boarding, she gave the flight crew instructions on how to properly handle her wheelchair for it to be...

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August 30, 2023

It’s Buddy Walk Season!

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Buddy Walk in New York City is the flagship walk for the National Buddy Walk Program.  This event raises awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families. The Buddy Walk is the cornerstone of NDSS awareness and advocacy effort’s and it directly supports federal and state efforts to...

Categories Community/General/Resources

August 23, 2023

When the Chalk Dust Settles, Dreams Can Become Reality

Erika Lalita found herself in a surreal place, while grieving the loss of her mother 7 years ago and a marriage that fell apart about four years after that. She was experiencing life as an adult on her own for the first time, with her son Phin, who is now twelve. The journey from that painful place has been a...

Categories General

August 16, 2023

What’s in it for me to be hydrated?

Staying hydrated is gravely important to our body. Around 60% of the human body is made of water.  We lose fluid constantly through skin (perspiring), urine, and stool. We even lose through respiration. Bodies that lack hydration are at an increased risk for many illnesses. Getting less than the required fluid intake can also increase the risk of kidney stones, urinary...

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August 9, 2023

The Own Voices Project Premiere

If you weren’t at the premiere of “The Own Voices Project,” you sure did miss a great show! The Arc of Clarion and Venango Counties released their short, new film entitled “The Own Voices Project.” The actors and actresses came out on a red carpet just before the premiere and took their bows before the audience.  Although we all love...

Categories Community/General

August 2, 2023

Walmart Sensory Friendly Hours

Walmart is adding sensory-friendly shopping hours at stores nationwide. During this time, lights in the stores will be dimmed, radios will be turned off and moving images on screens will be changed to static ones. The sensory friendly hours are Saturday mornings in the months of July and August.  Senior Director for Walmart’s Accessibility Center of Excellence, Gayatri Agnew, talks...

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July 26, 2023

Mattel’s Inclusive Range of Dolls now Includes Barbie with Down Syndrome

Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to design a new Barbie. The doll is the first Barbie with Down Syndrome.  It is part of Barbie’s 2023 Fashionista line, which Mattel describes as an “inclusive range” of dolls. These dolls are “designed to reflect the world kids see today.” The new doll possesses a unique body sculpt intended to...

Categories General