current newsletter
League’s Online Newsletter
July/ August/September 2008 Issue 38
Quote: They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. Andy Warhol, American artist, 1928-1987
Changing for you!
This is a great time to be a part of the League family. As you may know, we have added a full time Director of DeafLink and a Director of Home Health Care. The DeafLink program has grown in the past two years with new ideas every day for further expansion. The Home Health Care program is brand new for the League and is still in the early stages of development.
We at the League welcome any ideas you may have to make our services better or ideas of new programs the League could offer. Always feel free to stop into the League or call us with you ideas and/or suggestions. The League is driven by people like you and how we can serve you better.
Nancy Gasparini
Independent Living Services Director
The League welcomes several new staff members!
Garth Sponseller is the DeafLink Director. DeafLink is a program of the League that provides sign language interpreting and case coordination services for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing throughout northeast Indiana. Interpreting services are provided on a fee-for-service basis by an on-staff and private contract interpreters. Fees are paid by businesses, government entities and other third party payers who need assistance in communicating with people who are Deaf.
Greetings!
I am thrilled to begin my new journey working for the League for the Blind & Disabled as the director of DeafLink! I will thank you ahead of time for allowing the League and DeafLink to serve you. So you can get to know me a bit better, here is a bit of information about myself.
I have a beautiful family of seven: my wife, two girls, one boy, and two dogs. All three of my children are four and under so Crystal and I have our hands very busy. Crystal and I to spend most of our time as a family reading stories, playing outdoors, going to the zoo, laughing until it hurts, and hiding the breakable items. Crystal, and I enjoy landscaping and watching movies together . . . whenever we have the chance. We are very blessed to have each other!
My parents, who are deaf, are Jeffrey and Barbara Sponseller and they are the reason I became involved with interpreting. To them, I owe many thanks for all the love and encouragement (and spankings) that they gave to me since I was a child. I have two older brothers living in Tennessee. The oldest brother, Forest, is an interpreter and ASL instructor in Nashville. My other brother, Perry, operates his own building-contractor business in Memphis.
I am excited to meet you and hope that we can build a great relationship together within the Deaf community!
Garth Sponseller
DeafLink Director
garth_deaflink@yahoo.com
Favorite color: pasta (usually Casa)
Favorite food: blue
Favorite hobby: landscaping
Jodie Pennell is the DeafLink Interpreter Scheduler. Jodie has the daunting task of scheduling sign language interpreters to meet the growing demand to ensure effective communication.
Jodie is a single mom with a 12 year old daughter. Both of her parents are deaf. Jodie is also an interpreter.
Favorite color: Green
Favorite food: Soul food, Macaroni and Cheese
Favorite hobby: Reading books
(By the way, Patrick is still with us. He made a lateral move with the League and is now the Administrative Assistant.)
Juanita DeLeon is the Home Healthcare Director and she will be building this new program to provide unskilled home health care services. Once finalized, individuals with disabilities will be able to get personal care and homemaking services that enable them to stay in their homes and community.
Juanita is very much of a homebody and family-oriented person. She loves to help people however she can. Juanita volunteers at a nursing home by playing the piano. Juanita’s church family at St. Judes knows that she has a willing hand to help other families in need.
Juanita has been in Fort Wayne for about 15 years and is proud to be a first time home owner for about 4 years now. She is the parent of two young ladies, ages 21 and 15 and has two grandchildren, ages 5 and 6 months.
Favorite color: Tan
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite hobby: Family activities, cooking, playing piano, interior decorating.
Mike Hines is the AgraBility Coordinator, working from his home in Peru. Through a partnership with Breaking New Ground at Purdue University in West Lafayette, the League provides case coordination services, conducts outreach, and provides public education services for people with disabilities in agriculture and communities in rural areas. Feel free to contact Mike and extend a warm welcome by emailing him at fccsentinel@yahoo.com .
Mike is married to Ginger (30 years!) and has two children, William who has graduated High School and is now studying to be an electrician and Rachael who is a Senior in High School and loves to play basketball. Mike and Ginger enjoy attending the games and rooting for the team. Right now, Rachael would like to study Criminal Justice.
Mike has many hobbies and is exploring the world of Aquaponics and enjoys restoring tractors. [Aquaponics is the combination of recirculating aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil)].
Mike is a busy person because he also a co-founder for Handicable. The website for more information is www.handicableperu.com.
Mike enjoys helping disabled people with their challenges and he likes sharing that there is hope and encouragement no matter how bad it gets. Mike is glad to be on board with the League Team.
We are glad to have you!
(Mike’s favorite colors is reflected in part to his love of tractors!)
Favorite color: might be red (International) or green (John Deere) or orange (Alice-Chalmers)!
Favorite food: shrimp and steak
Favorite hobby: coins, guns, tractors, fishing, gardening, learning
JJ - Reprinting JJ’s introduction as his “favorites” was inadvertently left off!
Please give a warm welcome to Jaye Johnston, or JJ, as we call him! JJ is the DeafLink Case Coordinator.
JJ enjoys sports, foreign cuisines of all kinds, and learning more about his family history. JJ loves the Miami Dolphins so on Monday mornings, sometimes staff spend a few minutes discussing the games played over the weekend and who saw what games, and then “rah rahing” or “booing”, depending on the situation!
JJ used to play football, baseball or softball but an old injury has caused retirement from playing, but not watching! Now JJ enjoys researching his genealogy and reading books. He just finished reading “President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman”, has read all seven of the Harry Potter series, and has a collection of syndicated Reader’s Digest books dating back to the 1950s (although JJ confesses that he hasn’t read all of them yet!). Having an interest in genealogy is a natural progression to a love of history. He enjoys learning about the different wars, dating back to the Revolutionary War, types of warfare including fighter planes and types of ammunition. Next time you see JJ, ask him who is Lewis Edelblute from Delaware, OH?
Favorite color: aqua and coral orange
Favorite food: African cuisine
Favorite hobby: Genealogy and reading
Welcome aboard Garth, JJ, Jodie, Juanita and Mike!
Introducing League’s New Program
The League for the Blind and Disabled has a unique culture which is the foundation of the agency. The organization is a team of individuals who possess the character of good work ethics, all heart and the desire to learn for higher achievements. The team works together toward a common goal. Each team member has the opportunity to become a leader through proven results of education and production. We are dedicated to our consumer and will ensure that each individual is treated fairly and with respect.
The League is currently developing plans to provide unskilled home health care services. We will provide personal care assistance and home making services which will enable people served to stay in their own homes and improve their health related issues.
In-home care services worker is an individual who provides personal care services to a consumer in their home. Duties of an in-home personal care services worker may include assistance with bathing, household chores, cooking and meal preparation, cleaning and laundry. Statistics show that an in-home health care cost is more cost effective than nursing home care.
The growth in our elderly & disabled population has increased dramatically. Because of this, people are being placed on waiting lists and are not being serviced by their need but are being serviced by funding allocations or assessment dates. With the continued changes of what is considered poverty level, those that are under 100% of poverty level risk on being without services. Since State Government Programs are being cut due to legislative budgets or political restraints, people are then forced to transition into more structured and institutional settings.
With the funding cuts, our in home services program could be the vendor of last resort and a savior to those living in extreme unhealthy conditions.
Juanita DeLeon
Home Healthcare Director
Clean Sweep!
It was a perfect day in Fort Wayne for the Great American Clean Up, also called the National Clean Up Day, the morning of Saturday, May 17, 2008. Over three thousand (3,000) volunteers donated their time to help clean up our city.
All throughout Fort Wayne's parks, roadways, neighborhoods, trails, and riverbanks, volunteers picked up trash for this nationwide annual event. This event is put together by the city of Fort Wayne, Energy and Environmental Services, and of course the
volunteers.
After the work was done volunteers headed to Freimann Square for a post clean up party with food and relaxation. This event has been going on for more than fifteen years and it involved several area churches, businesses, and schools.
The Solid Waste Department says that roughly 60 to 70 tons of debris is picked up at over 160 sites in the city.
Mark A. Williams
Volunteer Coordinator
Medicaid Waver Changes January 2009
If you haven’t already seen this, there will be a new system in regards to how Medicaid Waver (only in Developmental Disabilities, Autism, and Support Services Waivers) is handled. Starting January 2009 the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) will be phasing in OASIS (Objective Assessment System for Individual Supports) in effort to create a uniform model to determine fair and equitable levels of State support for individuals.
Originally OASIS was schedule to be implemented on July 1, 2008 however, delays pushed it back to the current date. The idea goal of OASIS is to create an uniform way to fund services covered through Medicaid Waiver. The funding will be based on an individual assessment of each Medicaid waiver consumer called ICAP (Individual Client & Agency Planning). This assessment and other factors will be used to determine the budget that will fund services to Medicaid waiver consumers.
I highly encourage you to check out this video from an April 3rd forum in Indianapolis that sums up what OASIS is all about. Here’s the link: http://www.tvwebcity.tv/vids/clients/ArcOasis.html
Additional information on OASIS can be found at http://davisdeshaies.com/page10.html
If you have additional questions, you can contact Andrew Ranck (Director of Initiatives) directly at OASIS-ICAPhelp@fssa.in.gov or call 1-888-527-0008.
Kevin Hughes
Youth Services Coordinator
A Walk in My Shoes Sept. 18
A Walk in My Shoes dinner theatre will be held September 18 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m at the Grand Wayne Center. The event will serve as an educational dinner theater and fund raising event. The dinner theater will feature three monologues about actual people helped by the League. Following the monologues, the actual people will tell or in some cases dance, their story.
There is no cost to attend this evening. The League will be providing the meal and the entertainment, with the help of many sponsors. If you or your organization is interested in a sponsorship, we will gladly talk with you and explain how we let those attending know who our wonderful sponsors are.
After hearing from the people whose lives have been touched by the services the League provides, we hope you will consider donating to the League at the end of the evening and throughout the year.
Reservations will be required for this evening and will be accepted beginning in August. Please mark your calendars now for this unique event. There is another Walk in My Shoes in Fort Wayne this year, so please don’t be confused. This is our 2nd Walk in My Shoes and this year’s entertainment looks to be even better than last year. The number for reservations is 260-441-0551 or 800-889-3443 for those who live out of the area.
Voice Newsletter
The League has a print newsletter that is printed twice a year titled “The Voice of Opportunity”. You are welcome to be a part of our print newsletter mailing as well as the online newsletter. If you would like to receive the print newsletter, please contact Cheryl Gillespie at: developmentlbd@yahoo.com
Words
Words are like weapons, they wound sometimes are the words to an oldies song. Recently, I found out true that can be, even unintentionally. I repeated a phrase used to describe a minority group that I had heard used frequently by a person in that group. Instantly, that phrase brought a wave of tension to the room. Afterward, people thought I was prejudiced and a wall began to form in the workplace. The phrase wounded deeply, though I had no idea. Finally, another staff member came to me and told me what had happened. I had no idea that those few words could cause such hurt so quickly.
When someone says something that hurts you or you are sensitive to a certain phrase, you have a choice. You can be hurt and angry, and distance yourself from the person, and assume that they are prejudiced and meant to hurt you. Or you can approach the person and let them know that what was said was inappropriate. You can continue the hurt, or you can help resolve the hurt. It seems that politically correct or personally correct language changes so quickly, that it is easy to say something that may be sensitive to someone without knowing it. Yes, some people say hurtful things and mean them. But there are other people who are totally unaware that something they have said has hurt someone. If words are weapons and wound you, try talking with the person to see if the situation can be corrected. Don’t let a relationship, working or personal, be severed by insensitive words, until the situation is addressed. Think how quickly words change in the world of disabilities - it’s disabled now, not handicapped. Yet, the signs say “handicapped parking”. Is it any wonder that people get confused and say something that might not personally correct anymore? A person is disabled, but they look for handicapped parking. Give the other person a chance, talk to them before assuming they meant to hurt. It can make all the difference.
Cheryl Gillespie
Development Director
Paws for Help
Have you ever wondered how a playful puppy evolves into a working guide dog? If you are an animal lover, you will find this article interesting. If you are like me, and not terribly fond of four legged creatures, you will probably still find the following information interesting!
Several different breeds of dogs are used to help people who are blind travel safely. Retrievers, labs, and shepherds are used because they are gentle. Poodles are used because people who have allergies to dander can tolerate them better than other dogs. They are also working on a mix called a Labradoodle. Smaller but stronger dogs are being bred because of the baby boomer population. We are used to traveling frequently and far. A smaller dog can better fit in a car or on a plane. You will see guide dogs any where you see people. There are only a couple of places a guide dog can not go: a hospital operating room and some zoos.
After completing the application process to become a puppy raiser for the Leader Dog School in Rochester, Michigan, you have all kinds of responsibilities. You inherit the expense of raising a puppy as if it is your own dog. You also need to train the puppy basic obedience skills. The puppy must experience all kinds of community situations and learn how to behave properly. Your puppy is given a bandana and a jacket to wear which identifies him as a puppy in training for the school. Some of the places you and your puppy will go are restaurants, church, meetings, ball games, festivals, work, school, and any where else a person might go in the community.
Since puppy is usually synonymous with playful, playing on a regular basis is also encouraged. You may have questions, concerns, or just want to touch base with someone else who is also a guide dog puppy raiser. Not to worry! You will have a network of people doing the same thing as you. A puppy counselor will be at your beck and call. You will also be asked to complete regular detailed progress reports for the Leader Dog School.
After you enjoy your puppy for the first year of his life, you then must give him back to the school where he begins very intensive training to become a guide dog. Since becoming a guide dog is the ultimate goal, this is a difficult but necessary step for you and your puppy. Some puppies will make the grade and graduate with flying colors. Other puppies, for whatever reason, may not qualify and so they are unable to become a guide dog for people who are blind. Now, the puppy will under go a career change. Since he is so highly trained, your puppy may become a rescue dog, therapy dog, or a canine companion for someone with a disability other then vision loss. If none of these careers is suitable for your puppy, he becomes a wonderful pet for some lucky person. If this is the case, there is an on going list for people who want a highly trained puppy from the school and you as the first trainer of the puppy get the first offer!
To discover more about guide dogs, you can contact the Leader Dog School at: http://www.leaderdog.org/site/PageServer
To learn more, visit:
How Guide Dogs Work: http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/guide-dog.htm
The Seeing Eye: http://www.seeingeye.org/
Wikipedia Article About Guide Dogs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_dog
Linda Scribner
Senior Blind Services Coordinator
Quiet Cars Cause Concerns
Several groups representing blind consumers have approached Congress to seek some assistance with the growing problem concerning the new hybrid electric vehicles. For many years, blind pedestrians have relied on the traffic sounds. This helps to determine when there is a surge in the traffic flow. They can then make the appropriate decision about how safe it is to cross the street. Some vehicles are very helpful because of their loud volume.
This isn’t the case with the new hybrids. Blind pedestrians are finding them so quiet, they’re almost inaudible. This can lead to accidents. So far there’s been nothing done, but as the number of hybrid vehicles increases, the problems will continue to get worse, unless a mutual solution to this problem is found.
Submitted by:
David K. McCallister
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Help Me Help Others
I am in the process of updating the Support Group listing I have for all the counties we serve. These counties are: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley.
If your group would like to be on this list, please send to me by mail, or fax, the type of support group it is, location, dates (1st Monday of each month for example), times, contact person, etc. Here is my contact information:
Fax: Attention Patricia Howard at 260-441-7760
or
Mail: Patricia Howard
League for the Blind and Disabled
5821 S. Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Healthy Baby Begins With You!
January 2008 was the start of Marsh Supermarkets’ new program of offering
free prenatal vitamins. Meijer is also offering free prenatal vitamins beginning June 2008. Pretty soon Wal-Mart, Target and other stores will also be offering a similar program.
Contact your local pharmacy to see if they are offering a similar service, what the guidelines are, and which prenatal vitamins are on their list. A valid prescription will be required.
America the Beautiful!
If you enjoy visiting the many national parks, here are a couple of passes you may not know about.
Senior Pass to National Parks: If you are age 62 years or older, there is a lifetime pass to most U.S. National Parks. There is a one time $10 processing charge and you will need to apply in person (cannot obtain by mail or online) and have proof of age such as a driver’s license. For more information about to where to obtain a pass or the benefits, visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html .
Access Pass to National Parks for People with Disabilities: This is a special permit for people of any age who are medically determined to be blind or have a permanent disability. The is no processing charge but you will need to apply in person (cannot obtain by mail or online) and the proof you need to provide are one of the following: a statement from a licensed physician, a document issued by a Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, proof of Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income, or a document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. For more information For more information about to where to obtain a pass or the benefits, visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html .
For more information, visit:
National Park Services: http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm .
Find a park: http://www.nationalparks.org/discover-parks/ .
Patricia Howard
Information and Referral Coordinator
Just the Little Things
You sometimes hear about huge miracles, knights in shining armor rescuing the damsel in distress, children dialing 911 for a parent or sibling, or a miraculous survival. Would you ever think taking a shower could be a miracle?
It could to a person who had been unable to take a shower for two years. Imagine not
being able to get in your bath tub or take a shower in two years. By now you’re asking why? The tub was too low for her to get into it. She was disabled and in a chair.
Although she consistently complained about this to the manager, nothing was done. Palm’s home health aide did not try to lift her with the hover, due to the danger involved. The person called the League to ask could we help her? Palm’s manager was called and told about Palm’s situation. The manager was cooperative and stated Palm needed to fill out a reasonable accommodation form. Palm followed the manager’s suggestion, months, then a year. The manager was given information about his responsibilities as a landlord, and information about ADA and ADAAG guidelines on Reasonable Accommodations.
Between our Adaptive Equipment Coordinator, the Manager, and myself the problem was solved. New bath equipment was installed for Palm, which allowed the home health aide to lift and swivel her in the tub, so she could finally take a shower.
To us a shower would probably be no big thing, but to Palm just this little thing became a big thing in Palm’s life.
Beverly Harding
Advocate Coordinator
Place Your Order Here
A catalog of assistive devices for easy one-stop shopping is now available! This allows for one resource of information instead of browsing several catalogs to find what you are looking for. There are devices to assist any disability, from talking watches to vibrating alarm clocks, from braille and large print playing cards to adapted board games. Remember, if the catalog doesn’t have what you need, we will help you find a solution to your problem!
This catalog can be sent to you, by mail, by calling or emailing your request. Please provide your name and mailing address.
Diana Roach
Business Manager
Quote: Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer, 1828-1910
League Sponsored Support Groups:
Allen County Area:
Schedule of Support Groups sponsored by the League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc. Anyone with a disability or anyone interested in disability issues is welcome. The groups’ main focus tends to be sight loss, vision impairment, and blindness.
If you need transportation, please contact the League at 441-0551 on the Monday before the scheduled meeting. We will arrange for a volunteer to pick you up and take you home.
Fort Wayne:
First Thursday of the month:
Structured Support Group, 1:00-3:00 pm,
League Office, 5821 S. Anthony Blvd, Fort Wayne.
We discuss specific issues related to sight loss.
Second Thursday of the month:
Consumer Education Group, 1:00-3:00 pm,
League Office, 5821 S. Anthony Blvd, Fort Wayne.
We bring in a speaker from the community to keep us informed about current issues and services.
Fourth Thursday of the month:
Social/Recreational Group, 1:00-3:00 pm,
League Office, 5821 S. Anthony Blvd, Fort Wayne.
We have fun, playing adapted board games, making a craft, taking a field trip, going to lunch, having a picnic or a party.
Second Monday of the month:
Structured Support Group, 7:00-9:00 pm,
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Ave, Fort Wayne
This group is specifically designed for a person with a sight loss and their spouse, friend, or family member. We do not provide transportation for this meeting.
Adams County Area:
The League for the Blind and Disabled, sponsors a monthly support group meeting in Decatur. This meeting is open to any individual with a vision impairment and any friends or family members who are interested in learning how to live successfully with a vision loss.
This support group meeting is facilitated by Linda Scribner, Senior Blind Services Coordinator for the League. Linda has been legally blind or visually impaired her entire life and she brings a very positive out look to those dealing with a vision impairment. Please join us for a chance to look beyond your blindness to a world of independence and productivity.
Structured Support Group, 1:30-3:30 pm,
Third Tuesday of the month,
Woodcrest Retirement Center, 1300 Mercer Ave., Decatur, 260-724-3311
We discuss issues related to sight loss. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Linda at 1-800-889-3443.
Dekalb County Area:
The League for the Blind and Disabled, sponsors a monthly support group meeting in Auburn. This meeting is open to any individual with a vision impairment and any friends or family members who are interested in learning how to live successfully with a vision loss.
This support group meeting is facilitated by Linda Scribner, Senior Blind Services Coordinator for the League. Linda has been legally blind or visually impaired her entire life and she brings a very positive out look to those dealing with a vision impairment. Please join us for a chance to look beyond your blindness to a world of independence and productivity.
Structured Support Group, 1:15-3:00 pm,
Third Thursday of the month,
DeKalb County Heimack Center, 1800 E 7th St, Auburn, 260-925-3311.
We discuss issues related to sight loss. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Linda at 1-800-889-3443.
LaGrange County Area:
The League for the Blind and Disabled sponsors a monthly support group meeting in LaGrange. This meeting is open to any individual with a vision impairment and any friends or family members who are interested in learning how to live successfully with a vision loss.
This support group meeting is facilitated by Linda Scribner, Senior Blind Services Coordinator for the League. Linda has been legally blind or visually impaired her entire life and she brings a very positive out look to those dealing with a vision impairment. Please join us for a chance to look beyond your blindness to a world of independence and productivity.
Structured Support Group, 1:30-3:30 pm,
Third Wednesday of the month,
Miller’s Merry Manor, 787 N. Detroit Street, LaGrange, 260-463-2172
We discuss issues related to sight loss. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Linda at 1-800-889-3443.
Noble County Area:
The League for the Blind and Disabled sponsors a monthly “Focus Points” Forum in Kendallville. This meeting is open to any individual with a vision impairment and any friends or family members who are interested in learning how to live successfully with a vision loss.
This support group is facilitated by Linda Scribner, Senior Blind Services Coordinator for the League. Linda has been legally blind or visually impaired her entire life and she brings a very positive out look to those dealing with a vision impairment. Please join us for a chance to look beyond your blindness to a world of independence and productivity.
“Focus Points” Forum, 1:30-3:00 pm
Second Tuesday of the month,
Shepherd of the Hill, 351 N. Allen Chapel Road, Kendallville, 260-347-2256.
We discuss issues related to sight loss. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please contact Linda at 1-800-889-3443.
Steuben County Area:
The League for the Blind and Disabled sponsors a monthly Insight Forum in Angola. This meeting is open to any individual with a vision impairment and any friends or family members who are interested in learning how to live successfully with a vision loss.
This Insight Forum is facilitated by Linda Scribner, Senior Blind Services Coordinator for the League. Linda has been legally blind or visually impaired her entire life and she brings a very positive out look to those dealing with a vision impairment. Please join us for a chance to look beyond your blindness to a world of independence and productivity.
Insight Forum, 1:00-3:00 pm
First Wednesday of the month,
Cameron Woods Senior Living, 701 W. Harcourt Rd, Angola, 260-624-2197
We discuss issues related to sight loss. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Linda at 1-800-889-3443.