Tag: IDD

March 31, 2021

A Little Girl Couldn’t Speak. So We Listened

I recently took part in a webinar hosted by Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association. The title, Unspoken Symphony, intrigued me. I am a musician and as a HCQU nurse working for many years with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, I’m all ears.   After the usual housekeeping information, we were introduced to a family by way of a recorded video. ...

Categories General/Resources

March 24, 2021

Telehealth Line Offers Support for People with Developmental Disabilities

Do you or someone you support feel confused, fearful, depressed?  The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a major impact on people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers.   Some individuals with IDD have lost contact with program and community service providers, leaving them feeling isolated. Stony Brook University and The ARC of California have initiated Project Connect.  This...

Categories General

March 17, 2021

Strengthening Family Bonds While Staying at Home

Cover Image CC 4.0 License Whether you have been confined to your indoor living space during this year’s pandemic or have been braving the ills of the world to continue providing service to those in need, there is no doubt, things have changed a lot. During this time of change, it may be helpful to consider how to make some...

Categories General

March 10, 2021

One Percent Better

I stumbled upon Chris Nikic’s story a while ago and immediately was drawn to his inspiring story. Chris is a phenomenal and engaging young man. He is an Ironman competitor, Guinness World Record holder, and a man diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Chris operates by a 1% better philosophy. Meaning we can all do 1% better everyday to achieve our goals....

Categories General

March 3, 2021

What’s the Story?

I am thrilled, elated, ecstatic…you can see that not even by coupling the dictionary and the thesaurus together can I really find the proper language to communicate the excitement of this announcement. Have you heard the word that Next Chapter Book Club has come to Western PA? Next Chapter Book Club is a world-renowned club for adolescents and adults with...

Categories Community/General

February 24, 2021

Capture the Beauty: River Bend Gallery

There’s something so exciting about when business and passions collide. It’s like a firework formula where success and life happens. You know I can’t overstate how pumped we get about supporting small or local businesses.  Well, this gallery isn’t in my neighborhood but the small town appeal with big quality product meant I couldn’t stay quiet about it. River Bend...

Categories General

February 17, 2021

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

February 2021 is American Heart Month and I wanted to discuss High Blood Pressure (HBP) also known as The Silent Killer. According to the American Heart Association nearly 50% of Americans have high blood pressure and many don’t know. (1)  Through out my nursing career I have seen many people who have been surprised at the diagnosis of high blood...

Categories General

February 3, 2021

Brother Andre’s Café

I received an email just a little bit before Christmas.  In part, it read;  “You all may feel a little disheartened this time of year with the pandemic and chaos we are facing, but maybe this little bit of good news will give you a ray of hope.   Milestone Supported Employment assisted in opening a café.  This café is staffed...

Categories Community/General

January 27, 2021

A Dream Come True

“Tell me I can’t so I can show you I can.”   This is the mantra of Armani Williams.  Armani is 20 years old, a professional NASCAR driver, a philanthropist, and has Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is the only driver in NASCAR with autism. Autism is a disorder that is characterized by difficulty focusing on and processing different stimuli and tasks...

Categories General

January 20, 2021

Building Boundaries

I read an article yesterday by Maria Shriver. In it she utilized a quote that referenced courageous men and women stepping forward with tenderness. It made me reflect on a conversation that I had with my co-workers last week. We had been discussing a project related to encouraging those that we support to set boundaries with those in their lives....

Categories Everyday Life/General