Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living Livin' Winter 2009 Director's Note 450 Words is NOT Enough Corrina, our Livin’ Newsletter Editor, has given me 450 words to give you an End-of-the-Year Update on LVCIL. Only 450 words; I better make each one count! (Wait a minute that just took 30 words!) 345 – Number of unduplicated consumers who received intensive core and auxiliary independent living services in 07-08 Fiscal Year. 225 – Number of unduplicated consumers who received specialized housing search and retention assistance services. Accomplishment – LVCIL provided 9% more Information & Referral Contacts than in any year in our history! (Used 92 words already!) Innovation – LVCIL began an innovative program, thanks to the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC), to help make local, temporary events more welcoming to persons with disabilities. A group of consumers received training on accessibility site surveys and are assessing local events. LVCIL has also been conducting a project to help PADDC organize their archives so others may use them. Outreach – Outreach is our middle name! LVCIL participates in approximately 25 local, regional and national coalitions to bring the needs of persons with disabilities to the forefront. LVCIL also began providing service coordination for residents of the Allentown SUPPIL apartments. (Yikes - 190 words used, and so much more to say!) Accommodation – Our Sign Language Interpreter Referral Service had its busiest summer on record in 2008, meaning more Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons are receiving the accommodations they need to have equality in communication. (Wish I could say more, but stressing over word count.) Partnership – On July 1, 2008, LVCIL began a partnership with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to provide increased and expanded housing search and retention services to consumers in the Lehigh Valley. (Deserves twice as many words, but Corrina will have my head!) Astonishment – LVCIL was delighted and astonished to be selected to receive three new project grants from the PADDC. One will survey Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the Commonwealth to create a guide about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for businesses and agencies. Another will provide a significant outreach program to increase the number of private landlords who rent to persons with disabilities and will offer a toll-free hotline for landlords. The third will bring a much needed school-to-adult life transition program for high school students with disabilities and will feature a summer Real World Lehigh Valley program. (I know, 395 words AACK!) 110% - Effort given by LVCIL staff on a daily basis to build a more inclusive community and to empower persons with disabilities! 424 - total words used, but I am hoping Corrina will give me some latitude so I can thank each of you who utilize and support the work of LVCIL in some way. You motivate and compel us to make the Lehigh Valley a more welcoming community for all of us with disabilities. Amy C. Beck LVCIL Executive Director Director's Corner includes a photo of Amy Beck with the following caption: "Amy Beck, LVCIL Executive Director, who is notorious for exceeding her word count." Upcoming LVCIL Events Power Through Knowledge 8th Statewide Independent Living Conference Independent Living advocates from across the state will gather in Harrisburg on April 2-4, 2009 for the 8th Power Through Knowledge Independent Living Conference. The 3-day event is the largest cross-disability conference in the state. The conference will feature more than 25 amazing workshops with topic for the experienced conference attendees and the first-timers! Plus, entertaining dinners, a national disability history exhibit, a march to the state Capitol and rally, an Independent Living Expo featuring products and services that promote independence. This IL tradition promises to be the best conference yet!! Make sure to mark your calendars and register at www.pasilc.org or contact LVCIL for more information. The IL Conference is produced by the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council with corporate support from Verizon, Herr’s Foods, Temple University, Ride Away, Dating 4 disabled, and Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Apply for Food Stamps Over The Phone The Second Harvest Food Bank offers a program for consumers to apply for food stamps over the phone. With the high cost of living today, food stamps can help to ease the burden. For more information on the program, call toll-free at 1-866-203-3323. RADPRIN Invites NEW Listeners RADPRIN is a non-profit public radio station broadcasting in the greater Lehigh Valley to people who cannot see well enough to read and to others who cannot manipulate printed matter. RADPRIN broadcasts 24/7/365 on an FM frequency which requires a specially tuned radio. This special, portable-size radio is provided at no cost. RADPRIN’s complete broadcast schedule is free and available in both large print and cassette tape, and it is visible on the station’s web site www.radprin.org. If you, a family member, or friend could benefit from our reading service, let RADPRIN know at 610-861-5583 to arrange for delivery of our free radio. Lehigh County Discount Prescription Cards Lehigh County recently announced a new prescription discount plan that is available to residents of Lehigh County free of change. Users can realize 20% + savings on the cost of their prescriptions. Cards are available at the offices of LVCIL at 435 Allentown Drive. Call (610) 770-9781 for additional information. LVCIL Freewheelers The Freewheelers are an athletic membership organization for persons with and without disabilities. The Freewheelers play wheelchair basketball, tennis and bowl. Basketball practice is held on Thursdays from 7:45 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at the Bethlehem YMCA located at 430 East Broad Street. The Freewheelers bowl two times a month at Parkway Lanes in Allentown. They also hold a nationally-sanctioned tennis tournament every year. The Lehigh Valley Tennis Classic will take place on July 10-12, 2009 at Lehigh University. Basket Bingo will be held three times next year on March 21, August 1 and October 24. For additional information about the LVCIL Freewheelers please visit www.myspace.com/lvcilfreewheelers. You may also contact Bob Amelio at (610) 770-9781 ext. 11 or e-mail bamelio@lvcil.org. INCLEMENT WEATHER? If you are scheduled for a class, program, meeting or individual appointment at LVCIL and bad weather strikes, what should you do? Just call our main number 610-770-9781 and listen to the message. You can call as early as 7 a.m. If we are closed or are having a delayed opening, our automated greeting will provide you with the latest and greatest information! Alternate Version of Livin’ Livin’ is available in alternate formats. If you or someone you know would be interested in receiving a text-only version of the newsletter please contact Corrina Passaro at corrinapassaro@lvcil.org. Alternate formats are also available on the website, www.lvcil.org. Holiday Message from Staff May the Holiday Season Bring You and Yours Much Joy and Happiness. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2009. From All of Us at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Introducing...Ask Robbie! By Robbie Graves Every day I get asked a variety of questions. Some of the common questions I get asked are: How do I pay for a ramp for my home? Where do I go to get transportation? How do I ask for accommodations in my workplace? Where do I get help paying for my heat? What do I do if I can’t get into the restaurant down the street? How do I go about looking for a job? Where are there support groups for people with illnesses like mine? How do I get a service animal? Where can I get my van modified to accommodate my mobility device? To help answer some of these questions and provide useful information to our readers, I have decided to return as a contributor to Livin’ with a column where readers can e-mail or send me questions, and I will attempt to provide an answer. It will be called, “Ask Robbie.” Don’t be bashful. If there is a question that you have always wanted to ask and were afraid to or did not know who to ask, send it in. All we ask is that it relates to disabilities and/or independent living. I probably will not be able to accurately predict the weather for your wedding next June, nor predict the number of wins the IronPigs will see next season. Nor can I give good relationship advice (I will not even pretend to be Dear Abby), but if you need information on something that relates to living with a disability and things you might need in order to live independently in the community of your choice, that is something I might be able to help you with! E-mail your questions to robgraves@lvcil.org and put “Ask Robbie” in the subject line, or send them via regular mail to LVCIL, ATTN: Ask Robbie, 435 Allentown Drive, Allentown, PA 18109. If you have an immediate need for some information, of course, please call us at 610-770-9781 and one of our Community Support Coordinators will be happy to help you. Here is something I get asked a lot: Where can I go for technical information on the ADA? For starters, one of the better all around sources of information on the Americans with Disabilities Act is the U.S. Department of Justice website, which can be found at www.ada.gov. This website can help with issues such as the correct dimensions and measurements of accessible parking spaces, the obligations under the ADA of medical practitioners to provide for Sign Language Interpreters for Deaf consumers, the procedures and requirements for gas station to accommodate patrons who cannot easily get out of their vehicle and pump their own gas, the architectural requirements for dwellings, the information needed on filing a complaint under Title III of the ADA, plus much, much more! You can also call the Department of Justice at 1-800-514-0301 (Voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY) with questions regarding the ADA and accessibility. This site is terrific no matter what type of technical support you might need. Another great source of information is the Mid-Atlantic Region Office of the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center. Free technical information and assistance can be found at their website, www.adainfo.org and they can be reached at 1-800-949-4232 (voice/TTY). Please e-mail and send in questions for future columns. I look forward to answering your questions. Article includes a photo of Robbie Graves sitting at his desk. The photo caption says: "Robert Graves, taking your questions for his new column." Volunteer Opportunities By Corrina Passaro Come to the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living on any day and you will find at least one volunteer assisting the staff. Some days our volunteers sit behind the front desk and answer calls and greet visitors. Other days, you will find volunteers in our Sign Language Interpreter Referral Service office or our library helping out. Stop by prior to the newsletter reaching your home and you will find a large group of volunteers working at folding, taping and labeling this publication. Volunteers provide many hours of service to the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living in numerous ways. On Wednesday, November 12, 2008, the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at its offices. LVCIL staff members provided homemade salads, entrees and desserts to the many volunteers who give their time. The staff and volunteers get together for a big lunch which is then followed by games and an award presentation. However, this year’s event was missing something important – You! Volunteering is an excellent way to give back to the community and many of our volunteers share their time with multiple organizations. The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living can never have too many volunteers and there is always something to do. For instance, if you have a few hours to spare each week or two, we have copying that needs to be done. There is also filling. If you are outgoing and would prefer to volunteer in a more public outlet, we offer half-days where we need a receptionist to answer the phones and greet visitors. Many volunteers work either in the morning, from 10-12, or in the afternoon from 12-2. We are also looking for volunteers to attend trade shows and events like SeniorFest and educate the public about LVCIL’s programs and services. Additionally, LVCIL is also in need of people to help put together our newsletter. The newsletter volunteers meet here four times a year and spend part of the day, at least 2 hours, preparing the newsletter for mail. There are many skill levels working together and each person participates with however much work they are most comfortable with. The newsletter gets folded twice, taped together and labeled. The process usually takes two weeks and lunch is provided each day for the volunteers. All volunteer positions include training. Wouldn’t you like to spare some time for the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living? We could definitely use your help at our offices. The environment here is laid back and our volunteers are appreciated for any help that they can provide. Imagine, next year you could be sitting with us and the other volunteers at the recognition event winning a fun prize for being “Miss Congeniality” or the person with the “best dressed socks.” For more information, or to volunteer with the CIL, please contact Brenda Palmer, at (610) 770-9781 ext. 15. Lehigh Valley Action Team Fest Team Updates The FEST Team project is continuing! FEST Team members enjoyed themselves while conducting surveys at Mayfair, Musikfest and the Allentown Fair. Reports of our findings are being prepared and we are now getting ready to return to Christkindlemarkt in December. If you would like to participate, please contact Robbie at 610-770-9781 ext. 29 or e-mail robgraves@lvcil.org. FUTURE Advocates Now updates The Future Advocates Now (FAN) group continues to meet once a month at Lehigh Carbon Community College. Our December meeting will be on the 13th and we will spend some time planning our meetings for 2009. So bring your ideas for fun things to do! In 2008 we enjoyed multiple lunch outings to the Lehigh Valley Mall, conducted mock elections, did arts and crafts, attended an IronPigs baseball game, and talked about issues that matter most to young people with disabilities (dating, work, school, friendship). We also had a movie day, a pool party and educated area college students about disabilities. We learned a lot about ourselves, offering peer support and friendship in a safe and comfortable setting. If you want to get involved in this great group, call Robbie at 610-770-9781 ext. 29 or e-mail at robgraves@lvcil.org. Lehigh Valley Action Team Updates Before the Action Team meeting in October, there were a few requests for making fall wreaths. Jean Feldman, a member of the Lehigh Valley Action Team and the LVCIL Board of Directors is usually the one who leads the crafts, however, she wasn’t sure how to make wreaths. Debbie Rozear took charge of the craft class by providing supplies and expertise (not to mention her fingertips which were burned a few times by the hot glue gun). The wreaths that were made were beautiful. Everyone was extremely happy with their creations. The Lehigh Valley Action Team had two speakers come in to our October meeting to enlighten us on different topics that seemed to be of interest to our consumers. We first had OVR speak to us about the services that they can provide to people with disabilities. Lee and Louisa gave us a great overview of several programs and had many handouts about the services and opportunities that consumers can take advantage of once they have an open case. The second presentation was given by Peter from the Low Income Heat Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). We learned how the process works and who qualifies for energy assistance. The LIHEAP program started on November 3, 2008. If you were part of the program last year, you should have already received paperwork in the mail. If you are a new applicant, you can pick up the application from your respective Assistance Office or from their website (www.dpw.state.pa.us/serviceprograms/liheap). The November meeting was cancelled because of scheduling the annual volunteer luncheon. Members of the group were encouraged to instead use their transportation tickets to vote. Our group will resume again on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:30 AM. This will be a holiday meeting, filled with friendship and a festive atmosphere. Snacks will be provided. Come and join the fun. Bring along any ideas that you may have for speakers or programs in the coming year. RSVP to Debbie at 610-770-9781 ext. 24 or e-mail at debbierozear@lvcil.org. Lehigh Valley Action Team Meetings Lunch & Learn Bring a Brown Bag Lunch! Crafts with Jean - 10:30 Meeting from 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. Upcoming Dates: December 10 January 14 February 11 Join other advocates to discuss important issues such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Housing, Transportation, Employment, etc. Contact Joe Krycia for more information at (610) 770-9781 ext. 26. LVCIL Holiday Happenings First Monday Consumer Holiday Potluck Celebration. Monday, December 1, 2008, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lehigh Valley Action Team Holiday Party. Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Future Advocates Now Holiday Meeting. Saturday, December 13, 2008 Which Fund is Right for Your Donation? By Corrina Passaro Donating to a non-profit organization is always a rewarding experience but many people do not give without a clear understanding of how their donation will help. At the bottom of this page is the donation box, which is usually found on the back page of this publication. Some editions have used it to garner donations for the Independent Living Celebration in July, other editions request donations for our other funds. There are three different funds to choose from on the form: the 2008-2009 Annual Fund, the Carl F. Odhner Fund and the Claire Michaels Fund. Each of these funds serve to assist a different need at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. The 2008-2009 Annual Fund is a yearly request for funding that offsets the costs of providing our various programs and services. Giving to the Annual Fund benefits the four core services; Information and Referral, Peer Support, Individual & Systems Advocacy and Independent Living Skills. These funds additionally support our Specialized Housing Search and Support program and our Community Outreach Education programs. The Carl F. Odhner Fund was established in memory of the founder of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. The Fund covers unexpected hardships for our consumers, many of which live on a low income of less than $600 a month. In the past, this Fund has helped to provide medical equipment repairs, a new prescription, or assistance with any other hardship that can derail a small budget. Monies are allocated based on need and available funds. The Claire Michaels Fund was established in memory of our former Advocate. Monies from this fund are used to assist persons with disabilities with advocacy-related issues such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) awareness, equal rights for persons with disabilities and any other advocacy issue that may arise. After describing the three funds, donors can see exactly where their donation will go and how it will be used. However, LVCIL always includes the option for use wherever we have “the greatest need” for it, which does allow our Executive Director to choose the allocation. With each donation, you will receive a letter from LVCIL recognizing your for your contribution. If you have any questions about the different funds, please call Corrina Passaro, Development Coordinator, at (610) 770-9781 ext. 20 or e-mail corrinapassaro@lvcil.org. LVCIL Holiday Wish List This holiday season, LVCIL is asking for the following from the Morning Call’s Be An Angel Campaign. 1. Grocery store gift cards for consumers 2. Office supplies 3. An electric stove to provide independent living skills training. Donation Request Form 2008 Annual Campaign Donors Independent Living Partner Gretchen Parseghian LVCIL Patron Around the Clock Nursing David & Amy Beck Mr. Thomas Burns Robert & Hazel Dorney Mr. & Mrs. William Seaman Sunburst Property Management Dr. Daniel Wilson LVCIL Sponsor American Ramp System Scott Berman, M.D. Katherine Boyle Nicholas Butterfield Cynthia Davis Diocese of Allentown Jean Feldman Chris Gonella Charles Graves David & Patricia Hoffman Cynthia Lambert Lehigh Valley Brain Trauma Laird MacCubbin Alfredo Perez & Margaret Shepherd Thomas & Pam Stephens Norman & Catherine Ziegler LVCIL Friend A&L Catering Jean Andes Gregg & Jayne Bayer Gladys Beck Oscar Beck Claude & Donna Dencler H. Paty Eiffe Rita Gusinskaya Thomas & Margret Harp Carl & Nancy Hiestand Ronald & Sally Hill Sister Janice Marie Johnson Barbara Kindt Kirk, Summa, and Co. LLP Michael & Jeanne Piedmonte John Rohal Richard & Mary Shaffer James & Faith Snyder Paul & Elizabeth Turbedsky Kathryn Vastyshak Ellen Weidner Scotty & Taryn Ziegler Stay Healthy This Winter By Corrina Passaro The temperatures are falling. There is less sunlight. Frost warnings are prevalent. We can’t hide any longer – winter is coming! The word winter conjures images of snow, ice skating and holiday parties but it also conjures up images of coughing co-workers, sneezing sisters and friends with the flu. How can we prevent illnesses this winter? The website, WebMd (www.webmd.com) has some helpful suggestions. In winter, more people are visiting family members indoors and that contact helps to spread more germs than any other time of the year. While getting a cold or the flu can be a pain, it’s important to treat it with proper medicine and also to be as preventive as possible. Many colds and the flu become serious when untreated and some can even cause death. The number one preventative measure is to get a flu shot. Flu season runs from November through April and a person can get an effective flu shot as late as January to fight off the illness. The vaccine is made of a killed virus and can not give you the flu. People who are allergic to eggs should not get the flu (injectable) vaccine because it is grown in eggs. If you are not a fan of needles, there is a vaccine available that is a nasal spray. There are a few limitations to this vaccine so ask your doctor for more information. Another important preventative measure is to wash your hands! The flu and cold germs can be passed through sneezing, coughing and touching items like doorknobs and phones. Keeping your hands clean can help eliminate spreading viruses. It is recommended that you wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15 seconds. Instead of counting to 15, sing the song “Happy Birthday” twice. It’s also handy to use antibacterial gel and keep it on your desk, in your pocket or in a handbag for emergencies. If possible, avoid people who you know have a cold or the flu. This may be difficult if you live with someone with the virus or work with people who sound like they are beginning to get a cold. In this case, make sure to disinfect all common areas that you share with them to eliminate the spread of germs. However, if you are planning to visit your Aunt Sarah and you know she’s got a cold or the flu, reschedule the visit. If the flu or a cold finds you, there are things you can do to give yourself relief from the symptoms. First, it is important to stay hydrated. Drink a glass of orange juice or have a bowl of soup. Liquids help break up mucus and relieve fevers. If you go to the drug store for over the counter medication, pick one that is for only the symptoms you have. Taking medicine for symptoms you do not have can be dangerous. Also, only take the prescribed dosage. Do not take more than that. If your symptoms worsen, please see your doctor for additional medication. You can get complications from the flu and colds and those include bronchitis, sinusitis and pneumonia. Here’s to a healthy winter! Article includes a photo of a man blowing his nose with the caption: "Be proactive in preventing the cold and flu this season." Community Support A Home for the Holidays By Debbie Rozear Housing isn’t always an option for those living below the poverty level. When you see a homeless person, what goes through your mind? There are many misconceptions about homelessness. Many times when I go out into the community, to another agency or a shelter to do an intake with someone, I find out that they are not just trying to receive money from welfare or Social Security, but they are a human being who may have a Bachelors or Masters degree. So many circumstances can contribute to homelessness: losing a job, being evicted, housing foreclosure, becoming ill or disabled, just to mention a few. Everyone is only a moment away from acquiring a disability. Alone, on the streets with winter quickly approaching, what are the hundreds of homeless people supposed to do? In the Lehigh Valley there are 9 homeless shelters that are at most times filled to capacity. These shelters are located in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, the 3 larger cities in the Lehigh Valley. Each shelter has its own criteria; some take men only, some are for women and children, and others are for families. With the weather rapidly changing and homeless encampments being shut down in the Allentown area, individuals are being turned away every day. What more can be done? One and a half years ago a new initiative started within the city of Allentown. The First Ladies Commission on Ending Chronic Homelessness is a ten-year plan. This initiative is being spread throughout many cities across the U.S. Steps are being taken to help the homeless become self sufficient. A whole process has to occur in order to make the program work; cleaning up encampments, finding temporary shelter, educating people, acquiring employment, locating permanent housing. There have been several people within this first year and a half who have accomplished all of these goals and are remaining in a place they can call their own. The group is now called Allentown’s Commission on Ending Chronic Homelessness. Agencies throughout the community have come together to make this a successful program. All of the efforts are geared toward Allentown; however, with the hope that in the near future, we may be able to get others on board throughout the Bi-County area, Lehigh or Northampton Counties...or all of Lehigh Valley. On Friday, October 24, there was a press conference in Allentown’s City Hall to share all of the accomplishments of this effort from the 4 committees: prevention, intervention A, intervention B, and infrastructure. Outreach is happening among all of the agencies that are participating. The workers are all giving a hand up, instead of a hand out to the consumers that they are working with. An announcement was made that new housing was being obtained by New Bethany Ministries. New Bethany Ministries and Grace Episcopal Church are rehabilitating a building that will provide six units for the homeless. New Bethany Ministries is the first agency outside the city of Allentown to join our efforts. We are hoping that many more join us in the years to come. We are not going to end 100% of homelessness, because there are those who don’t want the help or want to be found. However, if we can help one person at a time, that is one step closer to our goal. I don’t know about any of you, but, I am already cold and the winter weather has not really begun yet. I know I would never be able to live on the streets, just because of the weather conditions. The article includes a picture of a young man bundled up in a sleeping bag on the street. Legs can be seen walking past him. No caption. An Interesting Encounter By Jodie Steiner On September 11, 2008 I experienced something that I am sure many of us who live with disabilities experience daily. I was volunteering at Senator Browne’s Senior Information Fair in Schnecksville at our LVCIL booth. I couldn’t get behind our table because of my wheelchair so I sat in front but off to the side. So being in the front, people who came to our booth could see I use a wheelchair due to my cerebral palsy. Some of the people who came to our booth treated me like a little kid. Someone patted me on the head, another said “God bless you.” This made me feel like I was not well. It seemed like they thought that living with cerebral palsy means I am not healthy. I could tell that they felt sorry for me by their attitudes. And I’m sure some people who saw me were just happy to see me, a person with a disability, getting out in the community. Most people did not acknowledge me as a person. Just because I use a wheelchair and it takes a little longer to understand me with my speech, does not mean I am a little kid and don’t understand things. This experience makes me feel both sad and mad because I am a young woman who works, goes shopping on my own, goes to the gym, sets up my own trips with Easton Coach, and goes out to dinner with my family. If they would have stopped I could have shown them that persons with disabilities, including myself have real true values to our lives. New Staff Spotlight - Welcome Lori! The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living is happy to welcome Lori Hetherington to the Staff. Lori will be the new SLIRS Fiscal Assistant. Lori lives in Schnecksville with her husband and three kids. She is the daughter-in-law of the former SLIRS Fiscal Assistant, Linda Hetherington. Linda retired in September. We welcome Lori and wish Linda all the best with her retirement! Includes a photo of Lori Hetherington. What You May Not Know About Requesting an Interpreter By Michele Marks Most people know that the law says a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing person has the right to an interpreter for most situations. What you may not know: If the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing person does not show up for their appointment, the business (doctor, lawyer, employer, etc.) STILL has to pay the interpreter for coming to the appointment. This is really a waste of money for the business and also uses up valuable interpreter time that could be spent on another appointment. The business may feel they do not want to provide interpreters if Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing clients do not come to their appointments. What to do: Of course, sometimes emergencies happen, or schedules change. If that happens, it is best to call the business where you made the appointment and let them know you need to cancel or change the appointment. Best to do this more than one day ahead; that way the interpreter can be called and the business will not have to spend the money on the interpreter. This means the business will be more likely to hire an interpreter the next time you schedule an appointment. Everyone will be much happier! Sign Language Club - Join Us! The Sign Language Club will meet on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 and Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at Borders Bookstore located at 1937 Whitehall Mall, located off of MacArthur Road. Sign Language Club meets from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the back left corner of the store. First Monday Offers Unique Topics to Consumers...and Dances Return to LVCIL! The First Monday program has many interesting topics and events to wrap up the 2008 program year and begin the 2009 program year. The program meets on the first Monday of each month and covers a range of topics that are important for consumers. Everyone is welcome to attend! If you have any suggestions for topics or events, or would like to RSVP to any of the topics, please contact Annette Drobil at (610) 770-9781 ext. 27. It is important that you RSVP for any First Monday programs that you plan to attend. First Monday Consumer Holiday POTLUCK Celebration On Monday, December 1, 2008, from 11 - 1:30, the First Monday program will present a holiday potluck event for consumers at LVCIL. Please bring your favorite dish to share with friends. There will also be a gift exchange. If you are interested in participating, please bring a $5 gender-neutral gift to exchange. There will be music, games and lots of fun! If you plan to attend it is important to RSVP by Wednesday, November 26, 2008 to Annette Drobil at (610) 770-9781 ext. 27 or e-mail annettedrobil@lvcil.org. First Monday In January On Monday, January 5, 2009, Lori Molloy from North Penn Legal Services will speak to consumers about future care planning. The presentation will run from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Light snacks will be served. February’s First Monday Program - Single Mingle and dance! Dust off your blue suede shoes and join us at the CIL for a Single Mingle and Dance! The dance will be held from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with your sweetie or come to meet someone special! Don’t forget to wear your red! Preview Of Other First Monday Topics In the upcoming program year we are planning a de-cluttering your life discussion, tips on fire prevention and a Halloween costume party! Watch the newsletter, LVCIL mailings, and our website www.lvcil.org for additional information about the program! Brand Name or Generic Prescriptions: Which is Best? By Annette Drobil Most people don’t think much about buying generic items instead of brand name items like peanut butter or napkins in order to save a little money. However, you may think about it more when purchasing medicines for a cold or headache. When picking up a prescription medicine it becomes even more tricky. Your doctor can write a prescription and indicate that it is acceptable for the pharmacist to substitute the generic drug for the brand name prescription. Is this always the best choice? It sure can save you money! If we really need a drug to keep us healthy to treat conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, how important is it to get the brand name medicine? Drugs go by two names: the brand name, for example “Lasix,” is how the pharmaceutical company names this diuretic drug and the chemical name “furosemide” is the name of the active medicine. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that drugs be tested to understand how they are metabolized or broken down and used by the body, how fast this happens and how the body eliminates the drug. Drugs are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies who are responsible for these tests and for reporting the results to the FDA. This information is also published in the packet that comes with your medicine. When a company decides to manufacture a generic form of a prescription medicine, it must do tests to prove that their drug performs very closely to the brand name drug. It must also present this data to the FDA for their approval prior to selling the medicine in the generic form. Generic forms of drugs look different than the brand name drug because the inactive ingredients, like the colorants, are different. Generic drugs cost much less money than brand name drugs because the company who manufactures the generic did not have to perform the initial research and testing. Not all drugs have both a brand name form and a generic form because the brand name drug can be sold for 20 years, by law, without competition from a generic form. When it comes to over-the-counter medicines (drugs you can buy without a prescription) be sure to carefully read the list of active ingredients. For example, if you go to the store to get a medicine for your headache, you can purchase Tylenol®, which contains 500 mg of acetaminophen, or a generic form of this medicine that may be the store brand, that also contains 500 mg of acetaminophen. If you decide to purchase the generic form, be sure you are getting the same exact dose of the active ingredient and that there are no additional active ingredients listed on the label. For example, a cold medicine may contain acetaminophen; it will also contain other drugs, like guaifenesin and/or dextromethorphan. So is it ok to take a generic form of your prescription medicine? There were reports several years ago (WebMD blog) that some generic psychiatric medicines were not as effective as the brand name medicines. To be sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist so you are getting the safest, most effective and most economical form of all your medicines. New Staff Spotlight: Welcome Francisco! Hello, my name is Francisco Sainz de la Peña, I am the Housing Coordinator, which is a new position created in this fast growing non-profit agency. I am a native of Chile, living in the Lehigh Valley for 22 years. I have an Associate Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor Degree in Education, with a Pa certification in Spanish. In my spare time I love to cook, work in my garden, read a good book and practice Tae Kwan Do. I have 17 years of experience in real estate and mortgage lending and I am sure that those skills will help me to meet the goals of my position. As a Housing Coordinator I will be in charge of the program to attract and train landlords who are willing to rent to people with disabilities. I will also plan and facilitate seminars for landlords so they understand the advantages of renting to people with disabilities. The sessions will include information about the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, so this important information is disseminated in a positive way. Part of my job is also to plan and facilitate seminars for tenants so they learn about their rights and responsibilities as well as seminars for first time home buyers. My experience in this organization has been great. I felt at home since the first day. My colleagues have been helpful, friendly and they are always willing to answer my questions. I am a good team-player and I enjoy working as part of a team. I look forward to continue to work together for the benefit of our consumers and the achievement of the goals of our organization. If you would like to contact me I can be reached at (610) 770-9781 ext. 22 or by e-mail at fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org. Article includes a photo of Francisco Sainz de la Pena. USPS Move Update: Help Us, Help Find You By Corrina Passaro The entire staff at LVCIL works hard to put together a publication that is full of important, timely information for our consumers, community contacts and friends. After I deliver it to the Bulk Mail Center I sometimes wonder, how many people are really seeing it? Keeping track of the many CIL contacts is a daunting task, but we have always tried to keep our information as updated as possible. We watch for returned mail and pieces with a new forwarding address. It is inevitable, however, that some addresses do not get updated and that this publication winds up in the United States Postal Service’s recycling bin. Recently, the USPS has updated their requirements for Bulk Mail, which is how we send you our newsletter. Bulk Mail allows us to pay a discounted postage rate to send our newsletter because we pre-sort the pieces. The new bulk mail standards are called the Move Update and their purpose is to eliminate waste in undeliverable-as-addressed mail. The new requirements will have us, LVCIL, pay for the mail that is not deliverable. The cost per piece will be more than a postage stamp and will include mail from persons who have moved and left no forwarding address. The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living’s mailing list for Livin’ contains over 4,000 addresses. These numbers increase daily with every intake or new community contact that is made. If you have moved, or are moving in the future or if you have decided you would no longer like to receive this publication, please contact me, Corrina Passaro, at (610) 770-9781 ext. 20 so that I can personally update your mailing information. We want to ensure that all of our readers are receiving the information that we work so hard to produce in Livin’. LVCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Dr. Scott Berman Denise Brown Tom Burns (P) Nicholas Butterfield Sheila Costanzi Cynthia Davis Jean Feldman Glenn Firman Chris Gonella Thomas Harp Dr. Sweety Jain Bob Linney Laird MacCubbin Dr. Lisa Marie McCauley (T) Ham Malek (VP) Gretchen Parseghian (S) Jeanette Schmoyer LVCIL Main Line: (610) 770-9781 LVCIL Staff: Bob Amelio, Jr. Community Support Coordinator: bamelio@lvcil.org ext. 11 Amy Beck Executive Director: amybeck@lvcil.org ext. 14 Annette Drobil Community Support Coordinator: annettedrobil@lvcil.org ext. 27 Robbie Graves Assistant Director: robgraves@lvcil.org ext. 29 Lori Hetherington SLIRS Fiscal Assistant: lorihetherington@lvcil.org ext. 12 Seth Hoderewski Independent Life Coach sethhoderewski@lvcil.org, ext. 19 Jodie Jones SLIRS Program Assistant: slirsassistant@lvcil.org ext. 16 Joe Krycia Community Support Coordinator: joekrycia@lvcil.org ext 26 Michele Marks SLIRS Program Coordinator: michelemarks@lvcil.org ext. 21 Brenda Palmer Administrative Assistant: brendapalmer@lvcil.org ext. 15 Corrina Passaro Development Coordinator: corrinapassaro@lvcil.org ext. 20 Debbie Rozear Community Support Coordinator: debbierozear@lvcil.org ext. 24 Francisco Sainz de la Peña Housing Coordinator: fsainzdelapena@lvcil.org ext. 22 Cara Steidel Fiscal Coordinator: carasteidel@lvcil.org ext. 13 Jodie Steiner Information Editor: jodiesteinter@lvcil.org ext. 22 Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Inc. 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109 “Providing services to persons with all types of disabilities” A member of the PA Council on Independent Living (PCIL), a consumer controlled state association of Centers for Independent Living (CIL’s) LIVIN’ is a quarterly publication of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Inc. LVCIL provides information and services to people with disabilities, and other service organizations in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Businesses or Individuals may sponsor issues of LIVIN’. December 2008 - March 2009 Volume 47 Contact Us: Phone: (610) 770-9781 Fax: (610) 770-9801 TTY: (610) 770-9789 Email: info@lvcil.org Web Site www.lvcil.org Editor: Corrina Passaro corrinapassaro@lvcil.org Design: 2007 Kutztown University Designathon Team Members