Livin Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Inc. 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109-9121 "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 IndependentLiving, 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'. June 2007 - August 2007 Edition Volume 44 The Official Newsletter of the Lehigh Valley Center For Independent Living, Inc. 435 Allentown Drive Allentown, PA 18109-9121 June 2007- August 2007 Edition Volume 44 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 Graphic Design: Bob Amelio bamelio@lvcil.org LVCIL Board of Directors: Tom Burns (T) Nicholas Butterfield Sheila Costanzi Glenn Firman Chris Gonella Tom Harp John Kinnaird Bob Linney Laird MacCubbin Ham Malek Gretchen Parseghian John Rohal Jeanette Schmoyer Mike Smith (P) Jodie Steiner Kathy Vastyshak (S) Dr. Daniel Wilson (VP) Our Staff Email addresses and phone direct/voicemail extensions Bob Amelio, Jr., Community Support Coordinator: bamelio@lvcil.org ext. 11 Amy Beck, Executive Director: amybeck@lvcil.org ext. 14 Robbie Graves, Assistant Director: robgraves@lvcil.org ext. 26 Linda Hetherington, SLIRS Fiscal Assistant; lindahetherington@lvcil.org ext. 12 Jodie Jones, SLIRS Program Assistant slirsassistant@lvcil.org ext. 16 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 Cara Steidel, Fiscal Coordinator carasteidel@lvcil.org ext. 13 Jodie Steiner Information Editor jodiestiener@lvcil.org ext. 22 Lessons Learned Last September my life changed. On a bright Monday morning I had stayed home from work with some nasty bronchitis. About 9:00 that morning I made an urgent dash into the bathroom, leaving the phone in the kitchen. A few minutes later, as I transferred onto my wheelchair, something went wrong. The chair moved a little, I felt sick and a bit light headed, and my arm got wedged in the spokes of the wheel. I tried every maneuver known to those of us with neuromuscular diseases to shimmy, shake, jostle or wrangle myself into an upright position in the chair. Even my loyal dogs tried to help. But my arm and hand were hopelessly wedged, my strength waned and I eventually dangled half way out of my wheelchair...and dangled...for over eight hours until my husband came home from work and called the ambulance. During those eight painfully long hours, I stared the loss of my independence square in the eye. What damage was happening to my muscles and nerves? Would my strength ever bounce back? Would I ever be able to function independently again? Could I ever safely stay home alone again? What about my job? What would become of me now? It was at least two weeks until I realized I could have lost not only my independence, but my life in that experience. As it turns out, when someone dies from a fall and being stranded, it is often not from the fall, but from the chemicals produced by the reacting body. These chemicals can reach toxic levels. My blood levels combined with bronchitis turned pneumonia were a frightening combination. I received excellent medical care in a local hospital, and was home by the end of the week. I wept often over the following days in gratitude for my life and slowly rebounding independence. Family and friends gave me amazing support and encouragement. But I am determined to be a better and wiser person from the experience. What are my lessons learned? #1 - If I want to live independently, I've got to be wiser. Now I keep my cell phone in a pouch around my neck whenever I am home alone. Don't let yourself be stranded in the bathroom! (Consider a one touch emergency button if available in your area.) #2 - Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it! I was really feeling rotten that day, but I didn't ask my husband or daughter to stay with me. Shortly after my accident I registered with an attendant care provider, who can help me even if it is only for one day when I am sick at home. #3- Nothing is more important to me than my independence. Even at my worst in the hospital, when I was completely physically dependent, I could still make my preference and needs known. I was still the expert on me and was a capable decision-maker. #4 - OK, it sounds corny, but be grateful for your life. My life and I are valuable. I am going to do whatever I can do to preserve myself so I don't miss one minute! (And a special thank you to my LVCIL team who took such great care of LVCIL during my recuperation ~ and gave me support and understanding as I returned to work!) Amy Beck Good Luck, Mark! LVCIL's Assistant Director, Mark Piedmonte said goodbye on August 3rd, after a combined 12 years of work with LVCIL. Mark and his family have moved out of state to allow Mark to attend seminary in pursuit of a Master of Divinity degree. Mark was instrumental in creating many LVCIL programs over its history, including housing services, the Common Playgrounds disability education program and a new effort though the PA Developmental Disabilities Council to help increase inclusion at temporary events in the Lehigh Valley. We will miss you Mark, your creativity, dedication, vision, insights, and that sense of humor! Good luck at seminary! (And Congratulations to Robert Graves who has been appointed LVCIL's Assistant Director!) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HAVE FUN AT OUTDOOR FESTIVALS Ever go to an outdoor event and couldn't use the restroom, or enjoy some other aspect of the event because it was not accessible? Now is your chance to do something about it! The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living is recruiting volunteers to form Teams of people to attend outdoor festivals in the Lehigh Valley and conduct Accessibility Surveys! Professional Training and Expenses Will Be Provided! Sound Interesting? Contact Robbie Graves at the LVCIL (610) 770-9781 ext. 29 or robgraves@lvcil.org to sign up to attend an information session to be held on September 27th, at 1:00 pm. 2007 Silent Auction Donations AAA East Penn Allegiant Air Anonymous Baker's Florist, Inc. Leanne Bauer Smith Jayne Bayer Becks' Yule Tree Farm Bendetto Chiropractic Health Center Debra Davis Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom Peter Duss F.A.N. (Future Advocates Now) Jean Feldman Giant Food Stores, Allentown Giant Food Stores, Bethlehem (Easton Ave.) Giant Food Stores, Bethlehem (Union Blvd.) Giant Food Stores, Coopersburg Giant Food Stores, Nazareth Good Shepherd Robert Graves Green Pond Country Club Donna Hendrickx Laird MacCubbin Marblehead Grille & Chowder House Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Steelers Putt U Miniature Golf Rave Motion Pictures/Promenade 16 Red Robin/Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group Debbie Rozear Jeanette Seaman Mary Lynn Thompson Wegmans, Allentown Wilson Black Photography Zoellner Arts Center ILM Guardian Angel Air Products & Chemicals ILM Angel Good Shepherd ILM Friends Access Ability Betsy Batemen Client Assistance Program ILM Supporters American Ramp Systems Amy & David Beck Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center JEVS Supports for Independence Lehigh Valley Action Team Mark & Gretchen Parseghian R. Richard Schall Daniel J. & Carol Shiner Wilson ILM Patrons Jayne Bayer Cindi Brown Marilyn Burns Cynthia Davis Charles Graves Robert Graves Rita Gusinskaya Timothy Knerr Leonard & Beverly Bloch Foundation Paul's Barber Shop Rosemary Rath Jeanette Seaman James W. Snyder, Jr. Pam Stephens Stocky Taylor Elizabeth Turbedsky Valley Instand Printing Kathy Vastyshak Ellen Weidner Join the Lehigh Valley Action Team 2nd Wednesday of each month NEW TIME: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Learn Bring a Brown Bag Lunch For Sale: Used Jazzy 1113 low back chair. Suitable for a woman or a smaller man, $500. Contact Karen at 610.746.1856. For Sale: 2004 Jazzy 1113 high back custom chair. New battery and seat installed in January 2007. Asking $2,000. Contact Karen at 610.746.1856. For Sale: Sit to Stand lift. Asking $2,000. Contact Karen at 610.746.1856. For Sale: Access Industries Stair Glide. Barely used. Comes with two wireless remote controls and electric handheld control. Seat and footrest fold up when unit is not in use, swivel seat has lever release. Beige fabric seat with padded armrest. Plugs into regular 3-prong outlet. Stair glide fits standard 12 foot staircase. Asking $1,500. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: American Ramp Systems Outside Ramp. Black, durable, non-skid mesh steel ramp, 26 foot long. Includes aluminum adapter to allow easy access over threshold. Asking $2,200. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: Jazzy 600 Power Chair by Pride. Candy apple red motorized wheelchair comes with 2 elevating leg rests, a flat fold foot rest, adjustable armrests, safety belt, right hand joystick controls, and a basket that can be mounted on the rear of the chair. Asking $3,000. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: Medline Excel 2000 Manual Wheelchair. Has 2 removable/adjustable leg rests. Black and chrome. Asking $600. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: Excel Freedom Transport Wheelchair. Black with chrome with removable armrests/sides, 20" wide with a 17-inch seat. Swing away footrests can be removed. Seat belt, padded dining style armrests and rear storage pocket with Velcro closures included. Asking $175.00. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: 30-inch wooden transfer board. Never used. Asking $50.00. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: 36-inch wooden transfer board. Rarely used. Asking $50.00. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: Beasy Transfer Board. Seat swivels in both directions that runs on a track system. Ivory colored. Rarely used. Asking $150.00. Contact Ester at 610.967.3047. For Sale: Elgin 3 Handle Walking Belt. Color is white. Brand new still in packaging, never used. Adult size fits waist 28-44 inches. Washable nylon webbing, Velcro closure, two vertical handles with one rear horizontal handle. Asking $30. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Sale: Electric Mobility Trunk Lift. Can also be installed on the bumper. Asking $125. Contact Esther at 610.967.3047. For Your Information R.A.M.P. Program Grants Available - the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living currently has grant funding available for low-income homeowners with disabilities to build or replace wheelchair accessible ramps on owner-occupied homes through the R.A.M.P. (Real Access Made Possible) Program. Grant funding is limited and is available in the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Persons applying for grants must be City residents and meet strict Federal low-income eligibility guidelines. LVCIL R.A.M.P. Program grants are made possible through Community Development Block Grants. For additional information about the grants please contact Robbie Graves at (610) 770-9781 ext. 26. Wellness for All Program 2007 - The Wellness for All Program continues this year at a new time, Mondays from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. There are many new topics that deal with nutrition and health. For a complete listing of topics, please visit the LVCIL website at www.lvcil.org. September 3 Book Group September 10 Rebuilding Support Systems September 17 Relationship Dynamics & Your Disability September 24 Aquatherapy Exercise Options October 1 Book Group October 8 Sick Day Management and Your Diabetes October 15 Assistive Technology October 22 Spirituality & Your Health: Your Inner Life Affects Your Outer Life October 29 This or That: Making Healthy Food Choices November 5 Book Group November 12 Reflexology: Putting a Little Pressure On Yourself November 19 The Attitude of Gratitude November 26 Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month December 3 Book Group December 10 TBD December 17 Wellness for All Program Year-End Celebration The Right Stuff About Renting On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at 10 AM, there will be a Right Stuff About Renting program for anyone who rents a house or apartment. I will be signing anyone up who might be interested in finding out what your rights and responsibilities are. It is a very informative program that will also tell you what the landlord is and is not allowed to do. Join us this day by calling Debbie at 610-770-9781, ext. 24, and signing up now. Class space is limited Sorenson Videophone LVCIL is pleased to announce that a Sorenson videophone was installed on August 8. Christopher Parker, a senior at Parkland High School, and Michele Marks were on hand for the installation and training. Having the v.p. will enable Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons to contact LVCIL directly to ask questions or set up appointments for assistance. To contact Michele Marks through the videophone, please call 610-770-9781 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Housing: Stress and Crisis By Debbie Rozear Everyone has stress in their lives. Not all people have it for the same reason, or deal with it in the same way. Too much stress can cause illness. When you have a disability stress can attack the weakest part of the body, making stress seem more intensified. Once all your worries have reached this level, people begin to function in a crisis mode. When in crisis, try to sit back and take a deep breath. I know that this is easier said than done. Many times I receive phone calls from people in the community who are so distressed, they can no longer function in their day-to-day life, and need an outsider to step in and help to sort through the dilemma which is burdening them at the moment. Many of these calls come to my desk every week. Sometimes the crisis is minor and can be easily resolved. Other times the crisis is real and has reached its limit. Much work and dedication goes into rectifying solutions. The major stressor for someone who is on a limited income is finance. Where is that next dollar coming from? How am I going to be able to stay in my home (whether it is a house or an apartment)? Wouldn't you like to eliminate some stress or keep the crisis to a minimum? One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to pick up the phone and request help, before there is no way to ensure stability in the situation that you are living through. Many times there are other things in the way which causes a person not to make that initial call, such as; attitude, avoidance, denial, lack of knowledge and lack of a support system...and the list goes on. The services that LVCIL provides are in place specifically for the community of persons with disabilities. By calling our center and speaking to one of the Community Support Coordinators on staff, you will receive an understanding ear. In addition to the listening skills, you may benefit by the education you could receive; along with information, referral, independent living skills, advocacy, peer support, and housing support. Helping someone to realize that there are other avenues that can be pursued, can also eliminate stress and take that same person out of the crisis mode. Make the initial call and save you some aggravation. By taking this first step, not only will your frustration level go down, but also you will feel less stress and possibly eliminate the oncoming crisis. On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at 10 AM, there will be a Right Stuff About Renting program for anyone who rents a house or apartment. I will be signing anyone up who might be interested in finding out what your rights and responsibilities are. It is a very informative program that will also tell you what the landlord is and is not allowed to do. Join us this day by calling Debbie at 610-770-9781, ext. 24, and signing up now. Class space is limited SLIRS Newsletter Information Workshop for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Persons "Understanding Your Legal Rights" What rights do you as a Deaf person have when: Police arrest you? ŸPolice arrest your child? ŸPolice pull you over for driving under the influence (DUI)? ŸYou need a lawyer to help you? ŸYou don't have money to pay a lawyer? ŸThere is an emergency? ŸYour doctor refuses to hire an interpreter? ŸYou want to choose your favorite interpreter? ŸDoes the ADA protect or hurt you? Presenter: Denise Brown, PA Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Wednesday, October 3, 2007 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. At LVCIL (Light refreshments provided) Police Academy Opens Doors to Deaf Community! Allentown Police Officer Dale Stokes and Office Manager Donna Cocco invited their fellow LVCIL sign language students and members of the Deaf community to visit the Allentown Police Academy on May 16, 2007. Assistant Police Chief David Howells, Jr, was also on hand to welcome the group. Visitors enjoyed a demonstration by Sem, one of the K-9 dogs, and Officer Michael Mancini, as well as a presentation on the weapons and other equipment used by the police. At the end of the presentation, the audience was given an opportunity to ask questions regarding the police and safety issues that impact the Deaf community. A heartfelt "thank you" to all of the police personnel who were on hand that night, as well as to Gina Cafiero who was on hand to interpret with Michele Marks. We anticipate that this open dialogue will be a stepping-stone to improved relations between the Deaf and law enforcement in the Valley. If you missed the this Police Academy tour, but you would like to visit in the future, please contact us at 610-770-9781 (VP/voice) or email: michelemarks@lvcil.org. If there is enough interest, another tour can be arranged. Photo: Officer Mancini, Sem, Melissa and Taylor. Photo Credit: Janice Kavounas What do you do if you are Deaf and... ....you are pulled over by a police officer? First, RELAX! Stay in your car. DO NOT reach into your glove box or console to get pen and paper! (Police might think you are getting a weapon and you could get hurt.) Allentown Police Academy recommends: Make a sign to attach to your visor with a rubber band or a clip. The sign should say: "DRIVER IS DEAF". You should be able to pull the visor over to your driver window so the police officer can see the sign as he approaches your car. Also, you can point to your ears and speak "I am Deaf" to the officer. Does not matter if you think your speech is not strong; police should understand you. LVCIL has cards printed with Deaf I.D. message on back to help police and others understand when you might need an interpreter. If you would like some of these cards, please contact us through at 610-770-9781 (V.P./voice) or email: michelemarks@lvcil.org Thanks to Donna Cocco for these helpful tips. Staff Welcome! In August, Jodie Steiner joined the staff of LVCIL as an Information Editor through a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC). Jodie is well known to all of us, as she has been an intern, volunteer and Board member at LVCIL. She will be working with other LVCIL staff members to create an archive for the Council. You may reach Jodie at jodiesteiner@lvcil.org or at extension 22. Thanks for the Makeover! A big thanks to Kutztown University and the Graphic Design students who participated in the 2006 Designathon held at the college. LVCIL was one of the non-profit organizations chosen to participate. A group of five students had 24-hours to produce a new layout for Livin' and here at CIL, we are very pleased with what they created! On September 24, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital (GSRH) will offer LVCIL clients the opportunity to learn about and experience aquatherapy first hand. From 2:30-3:30 p.m., GSRH Associates Allison Ghorm, Sara Kittell, and Annette Spann, will present "Aquatherapy Options: Gentle Exercise Options in the Water" in the hospital pool area. LVCIL clients are invited to listen to their presentation and then join the associates in the pool to try different skills. As an exercise option, Aquatherapy offers opportunities that might not available on land because of buoyancy and support of the body. In heated water, individuals can potentially enjoy the benefits of activities such as stretching, walking, strengthening, and even relaxing with techniques such as AI Chi (a technique similar to Tai Chi but in water) and Watsu (a deep relaxation floating technique). Interested individuals should RSVP to LVCIL by September 21st. Call Brenda Palmer at 610.770.9781 ext. 15 or e-mail brendapalmer@lvcil.org. They should also arrange for their own transportation to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital. Parties must be able to dress and transfer themselves if they wish to participate in the program in the pool or they should provide their own personal aide. Don't miss this opportunity to explore what water can do for you! See you by the pool. Sign up for a 2007 CIL Membership Sign up by November 1, 2007 and we will throw in the 2008 membership, too! Yes, I want to become a 2007 CIL Member for $15 Yes, I want to become a Lifetime Member for $500 (one time only fee) Yes, I want to become a 2007 CIL Member but am requesting a partial sponsorship I hve enclosed a check for $ (minimum of $5) I would like to make a donation to LVCIL for $ Payment type Cash, Check or Credit Card I would like to contacted for more information about LVCIL