********************NAMIWalks*******************

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A phenomenon which we seldom see discussed is dual and multiple diagnosis among people with developmental disabilities. Mental illness is among the more common problems with which it can be paired. Another very challenging situation occurs in families in which one child has a developmental disability and another has a mental illness.

The following invitation comes from a parent who has such experience and is out there, working to help both problems!

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
May 15, 2010
NAMIWalks for the Mind of America

Seattle, WA at Magnuson Park at Sand Point
(enter at 74th St. on Sand Point Way)

Written by Cheryl Felak: 4/4/10 @ 7:43pm

I am writing you today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am participating in that is both very important and very exciting to me. It is NAMIWalks for the Mind of America, NAMI’s signature walkathon event:

I have formed a team in honor of 2 organizations:
ActionDD, a grass-roots advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities. The people in ActionDD have been tireless in promoting dignity for all and a continuum of care. This includes maintaining Washington's Residential Habilitation Centers. I invite you to come and walk with me in this organization's honor.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those whose lives are touched by these illnesses. This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, the law enforcement community and policy makers. The NAMI organization is composed of approximately 1100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office.

I am also walking in honor of family members, friends and caretakers of those with mental illness. The goals of the NAMIWalks program are: to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved, and to raise funds for NAMI so that they can continue their mission.

I would like to ask you to come and walk with me or donate to support NAMI in this great event.

Visit my personal walker page to sign up: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks10/SEA/cheryl (Click on link in side list or copy and paste). It features a link to my team's page where you can see who else is walking with me. There is also a link so you can donate directly to me online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation.

NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible. NAMI has been rated by Worth magazine as among the top 100 charities "most likely to save the world" and has been given an "A" rating by The American Institute of Philanthropy for efficient and effective use of charitable dollars.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Felak

Aimee Mullins at TEDMED 2009

There is a lot of emphasis, lately on language, especially debate over the words "mental retardation." On the one hand, with regard to public services, diagnoses of pathology are often required to obtain them. We have to be careful that in insisting on retiring old language, we somehow retain the ability to access needed services.

On the other hand, language very much shapes our perceptions;, which, in turn, shape our relationships with others. How we think about people with "disabilities" may have everything to do with how we treat them and how they, in turn, perceive their own abilities, potential, limitations, and even their self worth.

Aimee Mullens: have you heard of her? Heard her speak? She is a very able young woman, a sexy athlete, model, actress, whose legs were deformed at birth (fibular hemimelia) and subsequently amputated. She is also very bright and articulate. Speaking at last Fall's TedMed conference, she told many moving stories, reframing the concept of what society regards as "disability" and vividly illustrating the impact of language and perception on learning and achievement.

Watching, listening, I wondered if her points might be at least in part what drive the commitment of those who work to close state residential facilities. Is it a belief or fear that the empowerment, such as Aimee advocates, cannot occur for developmentally challenged individuals in such communities? What about it; can they? And if so, who can they best serve? To watch the video, just click on the title at the top of this post.

***********A REGULAR GUY***********

Excepts From a Funny & Moving Book

Here are excerpts from an enjoyable, and eye-opening story by Barbara Shumaker. I recommend a visit to the website cited below for the entire piece.

'"we got a letter from an attorney asking us to contact him about the bicycle accident involving Matthew. It turned out that while riding his bike, Matthew had apparently collided with a young boy on his bike the month before.

"Matthew? What's this about a bike accident?"

"Who told you?"

"Someone sent me a letter. Was the boy you bumped into hurt?"

"Pretty much."

"Dear God.
Was he bleeding?"

"Probably. Am I in trouble?"


My husband and I came to the heartbreaking conclusion that Matthew was no longer safe in the community where he had grown up, and his impulsive actions were putting others in peril. He needed more supervision, more than we or the local school could provide."

"The good news now is that Matthew is thriving at Camphill, and is an important part of its community of disabled people. He goes to class, cooks and does his own laundry. He prunes trees, tends an organic garden and takes care of the grass. During the winter he shovels snow gleefully, and has become fascinated with weather patterns in the Northeast. He brags about his new found responsibilities, and tells us he is good at hard things."'


The entire story appeared in the on-line newspaper, SF GATE, March 15, and in the SF Chronicle. Read it at : http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/15/CMGQIF603V1.DTL#ixzz0jFDn9asl

Barbara Shumaker has written a book about her son, Mathew: It is available on her very resource-rich website: http://www.laurashumaker.com/?p=120

Camphill Special School is a private, non-profit residential and day school in rural Pennsylvania. A "Waldorf" school, it was founded and is operated according to the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. I found my visit to their website an inspiring experience that expanded my sense of the possibilities.
Saskia

VOR 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & INITIATIVE

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
June 4 - 9

The Liaison Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C.

REGISTRATION

EARLY BIRDS SAVE

FOR DISCOUNT, REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 1

VOR Members who register before April 1, 2010

receive a discounted registration fee of just $40.

Available at http://vor.net/events/ :
Complete details, online registration or flyer with details, & registration form

Sponsorship and Recognition Opportunities!
Complete conference details: http://www.vor.net/events/

Source: VOR Weekly E-Mail Update
March 19, 2010

ABOUT VOR
Founded more than 25 years ago in 1983, VOR is a national 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and funded solely by dues and donations. We receive no government support. Membership is available at vor.net

Throughout its history, VOR has been the only national organization to advocate for a full range of quality residential options and services, including own home, family home, community-based service options, and licensed facilities. We support the expansion of quality community-based service options; we oppose the elimination of the ICFs/MR (institutional) option.
VOR represents primarily individuals with mental retardation and their families/guardians. VOR advocates that the final determination of what is appropriate depends on the unique abilities and needs of the individual and desires of the family and guardians.

MISSION
"Our Mission is to unite people in advocacy, to educate and assist families, organizations, public official, and individuals concerned with the quality of life and choice for persons with mental retardation within residential options. This includes home, community based options, and facility-based care."

SOURCE: VOR website. Abridged, reprinted with permission.

YAI Network's 31st Annual International Conf. 2010

On March 22, 2010 @ 5:22pm, Lynn U. Berman wrote:

Hi Saskia,

I thought your followers on Developmental Disabilities Exchange might be interested in the following information about our upcoming conference in New York City.

The YAI Network's 31st Annual International Conference: “Decade of Decisions: Moving Forward in Developmental and Learning Disabilities” will be held on April 26-29, 2010.

Designed for professionals at all levels, family members and individuals with developmental and learning disabilities.

Features hands-on trainings & extended sessions for in-depth training.
More than 120 seminars and workshop topics include: Advocacy, Aging, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Challenging Behaviors, Clinical Issues, Day Services, Early Intervention, Family Supports, Health Care, Inclusion, Positive Behavioral Support, Residential, Self-determination, Sensory Integration, Sexuality/Socialization, Workforce Issues, Employment, and Staff Training

The Premier HealthCare Training Institute will host its 9th Annual One-Day Conference on the Medical Home on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Rooms available at special YAI conference price.

For more information, visit yai.org/conference. Brochure available. Online registration is open. Or contact Abbe Wittenberg at awittenberg@yai.org, or 212-273-6472.

For more information about the YAI/NIPD Network or to obtain services, call
1-866-2-YAI-LINK or visit www.yai.org.

Lynn U. Berman
Edited for publication by Saskia Davis

Special Leg. Session: calls and emails

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WA. PEOPLE WITH DD NEED ALL 5 RHCS in the FULL CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THEM.

It's time to call & email your legislators, again. The more, the better.

Get friends and family to do the same. And, tomorrow, start over!

Kishorit Therapeutic Community: Israel

I've been reading a book, Rachel in the World - A Memoir; and the author took her daughter to this place in Israel. It is a self-sustaining community. I think this would be wonderful for some of our folks! Here is a link to it - http://www.kishorit.co.il/SiteFiles/1/1689/13030.asp -
Pandiecats