Tag: IDD

March 20, 2024

Support People in the Face of Trauma

You may be aware many people receiving support from our system have experienced trauma. As a supporter in the system, what does that mean for us? One thing it means is that we must humble ourselves to maybe look at the person’s response to their world a little differently. We may feel we know the reason a person is responding...

Categories General/Resources

March 13, 2024

New Stars are Born

I love musical theater! As I am in my car traveling throughout nine counties in Pennsylvania, I listen to Sirius XM’s On Broadway station.  Recently I was listening to Seth Rudetsky and heard him excitedly say that he would be interviewing some of the cast from How To Dance in Ohio.  It caught my attention. Seth said how much fun the...

Categories General/Resources

March 6, 2024

Getting Crafty in Butler, PA

There is a wonderful art studio in Butler, located just north of the Clearview Mall called Steele’s Brushes and Ceramics. They’ve got some really cool things going on there to spark that creativity. Most recently they’ve started sessions called “Crafting Connections-Empowering All Abilities.” These sessions take place Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and were developed for...

Categories Community/Resources

February 28, 2024

Don’t Miss the Open House and Transition Vendor Fair

I can’t wait to see everyone.  This will be my first year at the Glade Run Open House and Transition Fair.  If you know me, you know the first thing I will do is try out the COFFEE! After that I will be ready to meet all the vendors.  As a book lover, I really want to make it to...

Categories Community/General

February 21, 2024

iPad Lending Program Teams Up With Assistive Technology Coordinator of Tech OWL

At the HCQU we have some exciting news! You may be aware of the fact that we have an iPad lending program, where a request to borrow an iPad can be made through supports coordination for self-advocates. This FREE service is available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who reside in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer,...

Categories General/Resources/Technology

February 14, 2024

Love the Community, Raise Employment Opportunities: Luv Michael

Work, work, work. We all have to do it. But do you ever consider that you get to work? You get to wake up and go. You get to serve with whatever capabilities, skills, and education you have. Not everyone has that privilege. Or rather than privilege, is it a basic human right? So often our community takes for granted...

Categories General

February 7, 2024

The Anticholinergic Burden Calculator:  What is the fall risk?

Did you know…42% of older adults take 5 or more prescription medications. According to Lown Institute, nearly 20% take 10 drugs or more medications daily. Unfortunately, older people are prescribed multiple medications. Many of these medications that are prescribed have anticholinergic properties. Anticholinergics are drugs that block the action of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical messenger. It...

Categories Resources

January 31, 2024

How to Dance in Ohio: An Insight into Autism

How to Dance in Ohio isn’t what you might think it is based on the title alone.  It is a new Broadway musical showing right now.  What makes this musical different from others is that it stars seven actors with Autism. This Broadway show is based on a true story from an award-winning documentary that aired on HBO.  It is...

Categories Community/General

January 24, 2024

It Starts with Special

How do you define special? Do you look at the word positively or negatively? Why is it that we use words to hurt and minimalize people? As you may know, Special Olympics campaigned against the “R” word several years ago as people with intellectual disabilities spoke out about how the word had been used to bully, abuse, and hurt people....

Categories General/Resources

January 17, 2024

Popcorn for the People

Popcorn is a favorite snack for many people, especially if they are watching a movie!  I love a big bowl of popcorn covered in melted butter and salt.  How about you? I read an article about an NFL team who is introducing a popcorn stand at their stadium for the 2023 football season.  This popcorn stand is different from others...

Categories Community/General