Tips for Families who have Loved Ones with Developmental Disabilities

March is Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month In recognition of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Kenmore resident Aimee Levesque, the mom of an individual People Inc. serves, shares why it is important for families to advocate for their loved ones. Aimee’s daughter, Jessica, is a participant of People Inc.’s Arts Experience Program, former participant of the agency’s Young Adult Life Transitions Program and currently involved with its Self-Advocacy Program. Both fans of the arts, Aimee is co-founder and managing director and Jessica is an actor of Unique Productions, a company of artists that aspires to promote community integration through the arts by providing individuals with disabilities a chance to be artists, actors and writers.   “Parents are the best advocates for their children. You are an expert on ‘all things your child,’ play an important role in their education, and get to reap the rewards of their love and affection. As a parent advocate, there are many things that you can do, including:   Learn about your child’s disability and teach them about their disability, too. How many times have you heard the saying, ‘knowledge is power?’ The more you and your child know about their disability, the better advocates you both will be. Use the Internet, books and brochures to teach your child; use anything you feel will help them understand. Be accurate, consistent and honest with them if they ask questions. Know your child’s abilities. We are often forced to focus on what our children cannot do to get the services that they need, in-and outside of school, but what about the great things they CAN do? Focus on the positives and on all of the terrific things that your child can do, has achieved and will continue to grow at. Keep records. Save copies of your child’s Individualized Education Plans, reports and samples of their school work. Take notes while on phone calls or in meetings. Put all of these items in a large binder. These materials may be helpful for showing where your child might have some difficulties or may highlight the areas where they have strengths. If you are not the best at keeping things organized or need help getting started, local parent groups and organizations may offer ‘Binder Trainings.’   Have goals for your child. Just like every other student, your child will have goals and aspirations, so encourage them to set them. Also, include your child in the goal and decision-making processes as often as you can. Self-determination is a key component in the progression toward independence. If your child is unable to articulate goals to you, then creating these goals may become your responsibility, so do your homework. Allow yourself to feel and display emotions. Repeat after me, ‘it is okay to cry, it is okay to get angry and it is okay to be happy.’ Believe it or not, it is very easy for parents of children with disabilities to repress emotions because they may feel that the emotions will get in the way of powerful advocacy. Not only is repressing emotions terrible for your health, but it can also be counterproductive to your advocacy efforts. You cannot be an effective advocate if you are stuck in a cycle of painful and destructive emotions. If you don’t think you can do it on your own, speak with a professional. Join parent groups. Parent groups – online or in person – serve many purposes. They provide the opportunity to meet families that are walking similar paths. You can share resources, discuss similar situations, laugh and cry together. In essence, parent groups are a place of help, love and support. Take care of yourself! Meetings, doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions – most days we find ourselves being pulled in what feels like a million different directions and the last thing we think about are ourselves. But what help can we be if we are sick or overstressed? It is important to make sure that our needs as parents are met, too. So keep those health-related appointments, get to the gym, act in a play or take a yoga class. The bottom line is: take care of YOU.”   Aimee Levesque is a parent advocate. She has worked in the disability field in Western New York for more than 15 years. She is co-founder and managing director of Unique Productions (UP!), a company of artists that aspires to promote community integration through the arts by providing individuals with disabilities a chance to be artists, actors and writers. A resident of Kenmore, NY, Levesque is currently enrolled at the University at Buffalo as a PhD candidate for the Curriculum Instruction and the Sciences of Learning Program. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

Family Support and Advisory Council is a Resource for Families

People Inc.’s Family Support and Advisory Council meets monthly and offers a chance for family members of the individuals we serve to meet and support one another, obtain insight on program development, discuss challenges and learn more about our programs and the resources that are available, in a non-threatening, friendly environment. At a meeting, held on March 9, Parent Network of WNY Executive Director Susan Barlow guest spoke about the support and education her nonprofit agency offers families of individuals with special needs (birth through adulthood) and for professionals including workshops and referral services. If you are a family member of an individual served by People Inc., or if you know of a family member who would benefit from attending the council meetings, the next meeting will be held Monday, April 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at our administrative headquarters, 1219 North Forest Road, Williamsville. Upcoming 2015 meeting dates, same time and location, are: June 15, July 13, September 14, November 9 and December 14. To RSVP or for more information, contact Stephanie Sullivan at ssullivan@people-inc.org or 716.817.7262.

Elmwood Health Center Diabetes Education Program Recognized for Excellence

The Elmwood Health Center (EHC) , an affiliate of People Inc., recently received recertification for its Diabetes Education Program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). EHC’s program remains in full compliance with the stringent national standards set by the AADE. “This recertification means we continue to stand among the country’s best programs,” said People Inc. Associate Vice President Frank Azzarelli. “We are incredibly proud of this achievement.” The Elmwood Health Center established its Diabetes Education Program in 2012 as a result of our active participation in the P2 Collaborative of WNY Diabetes Care Initiative. In 2014, the program served 89 patients which resulted in 138 visits with the EHC’s Certified Diabetes Educator. The news about the EHC’s recertification comes in the same month as The American Diabetes Association’s annual Diabetes Alert Day. Observed this year on March 24, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated.

People Inc. Awarded Matching Grant from KeyBank to Help Western New Yorkers with Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs

People Inc., WNY’s largest human services agency, receives $10,000 matching grant March 9, 2015 – People Inc. received a $10,000 grant from KeyBank with a one-year commitment to match donations that will further help individuals with developmental disabilities, special needs and se

Museum of disABILITY History to Host Panel Discussion, Open Mic

Event focuses on contributions of writers with disabilities February 27, 2014: The Museum of disABILITY History will host “Out of the Shadows: Join the Conversation,” a unique two-day event which takes a close look at the lives and contributions of writers with disabilities.  

Dining Out Event Supports Individuals with Brain Injury

A Nourishing Event in Support of Headway of WNY, Inc. February 24, 2015:  In recognition of March as national brain injury awareness month, Headway of WNY, an affiliate of People Inc., is holding a dining out event from March 2 to 4, with select area restaurants. Awareness and funds will

The 3rd Annual AT EXPO 2015

BUFFALO, NY- The 3rd Annual AT EXPO 2015 (Assistive Technology Conference) Implementing Technology From SmartHomes to SmartSupports will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave. Cheektowaga, NY 14225, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This AT Expo is being sponso

New Exhibit, The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic at Museum of disABILITY History

Exhibit inspires dialogue about the treatment of those with mental illness  January 19, 2015: The Museum of disABILITY History will host the limited-time traveling exhibit, The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic , with a grand opening event on Friday, February 27,

NEW DATE FOR RESCHEDULED WORKSHOP: Improving the Health of Young People: Integrating Mental Health Care and Primary Care in WNY Workshop

Register by February 28 February 9, 2015: If you are a primary care physician or behavioral health provider in Western New York, join us for a workshop on March 13, to learn how to best integrate primary care and mental health care as encouraged by New York State’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP). Registration is at 8:30 a.m., and the workshop is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, 2402 North Forest Road, Getzville. The workshop was previously scheduled for last November, but was postponed due to inclement weather. Local experts in the field will present how to best integrate primary care and mental health care. The workshop will cover: how to improve quality of care, including mental health, for patients under age 27; training to improve mental health care; implementation plans; payment for combined services; creating the best care plans for patients; experience from local experts who have worked to integrate mental health care and primary care; and a regional approach to de-stigmatizing mental health care. Presenters and panelists will be from the Amherst Pediatrics, Compeer, Erie County Department of Mental Health, Horizon Health Services, Lake Shore Behavioral Inc., Mental Health Association of Erie County, University at Buffalo, VA Center for Integrated Health Care. The workshop is hosted by the Elmwood Health Center, an affiliate of People Inc. To register by February 28, go to elmwoodhealthcenter.org. For more information, contact Amanda Scates-Preisinger at apreisinger@people-inc.org or 716-374-0179. The workshop has been funded by the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation. Founded in 1994, the Elmwood Health Center, an affiliate of People Inc. is a health care facility that provides a wide range of medical, rehabilitative therapies and counseling services for the general public. Specially designed services for individuals with developmental disabilities are provided. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.