Milestone HCQU West Blog

August 19, 2020

Closer: One Page at a Time

Sure quarantine might have allowed you to grab your books a little tighter and sink in a little deeper (if the news channel was turned off) but the isolation is maybe getting to you. You’re starting to feel like the somber, lonely tick of the second hand on your wall clock; but what can be done? When all the social...

Community/General

August 12, 2020

Lyme-The Imitator and Quiet Epidemic of the Northeast

Fever, chills, muscle aches-first thought these days…maybe it is COVID-19? That has been at the forefront of our minds for several months. With the guidelines in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, more and more people are participating in outdoor activities. But it is important to realize that as we focus on the pandemic, much of the northeastern...

General

August 5, 2020

COVID-19 Changed the Way We Work. How Much of That Change Will be Permanent?

Emergency/Disaster Preparedness is a term with which most of us are familiar. In its simplest definition, it refers to measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of an emergency or disaster. As providers of services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, we have devoted significant time and resources to make certain that our agencies were prepared in...

Community/Technology

July 22, 2020

Mokusatsu

Mokusatsu is a Japanese word with several shades of meaning. Much like many of our English words, the meaning is left up to the person using the word. Only that person knows the intent. Mokusatsu: to ignore, to refrain from comment, or to seek more information. Looking back in history it is easy to imagine “what if,” “should of,” “could...

Community/General

July 15, 2020

Beautiful Places to Explore in PA

Did you know… there are more than 2,000,000 acres of state forests, 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, and 86,000 miles of rivers and streams to explore just in Pennsylvania alone! Over the last few months with all of the changes that took effect in our lives with COVID-19, I started thinking about all the things I wanted to do once I...

Community/General/Resources

July 8, 2020

News from Google Helps People with Disabilities

It is widely acknowledged that smart phones and tablet computers are playing a significant part in improving the lives of people with disabilities. New technology to make things easier for those with cognitive and physical disabilities is being introduced by Google™. An app, Action Blocks™, designed for Android™ devices will make smartphone tasks more manageable. A block (shortcut) can be created for...

General/Resources/Technology

July 1, 2020

Let’s Go to the School of Strength

I don’t know about you but these days being a homebody means I’m a whole lot more sedentary than usual. We’ve had some really gorgeous weather days that gave me the opportunity to get out in my yard for a bit of a walk but what about extra blazing hot days? I know the weather sometimes has me ducking indoors...

General/Resources

June 24, 2020

Variety…Helping Kids, Be Kids

Do you remember receiving your first bike and how you felt when you got it? I do. It was the summer I was 10 years old, and I was playing in the back yard. I turned around and saw my dad walking through the grass pushing a BRAND-NEW bike, and he was headed right for me! To say I was...

Community/General/Resources

June 17, 2020

Liftware-Specialized Utensils

For some, mealtime can mean relying on others to assist with eating. Or, it may bring about frustration while trying to be as independent as possible with meals. Some of the conditions that can affect a person’s ability to manage utensils could include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, or physical impairment from a stroke. Liftware is a product that...

General/Technology

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...