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 Volume 6 Issue 3 - Winter 2000 A Publication of the TRIC/PLUK Library Editor: LeeAnn Logan llogan@pluk.org Librarian: Janice Sand jsand@pluk.org |
TRIC/PLUK Library 516 N 32nd St Billings, MT 59101-6003 1-800-222-7585 in MT 406-255-0540 (voice/TT) FAX: 406-255-0523 E-mail: triclibrary@pluk.org URL: http://www.pluk.org |
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LOSING SIGHT
by Nathanial Lewis, Albany High School,
NY
Twelve years ago, at the birthday party of a friend, was the first time I met somebody my own age who had a disability. He was tall for his age, thin, and wore eyeglasses, just like I did. It was this commonality that initially attracted me to him, since I didn't know very many kindergartners who wore glasses. I had begun wearing glasses to correct a case of strabismus at age two, and was able to see perfectly when I put them on. However, I was not aware of the fact that his glasses did very little to sharpen his vision, and that he was legally blind.
On the last day of second grade, at the unofficial annual picnic at Westland Hills Pare, we became good friends. As we moved from the swings to the jungle gym to the sprinklers, I realized how much we truly had in common. We enjoyed the same things: Legos, swimming and being Cub Scouts. Throughout third grade, we spent nearly every weekend together. During this time, though I had been informed of his disability, I never made any differentiation between his abilities or personality and my own. Although I often helped to direct him when he didn't seem to quite have his bearings, I never doubted that his capabilities were similar to my own.
After that year, we were not assigned the same teachers for fourth grade, and unfortunately, we drifted apart. As we finished elementary school and I watched him from a greater distance, his disability somehow became more apparent to me. When other kids asked me if I knew him, I would think of him as the boy who couldn't see well, or the one in the class who had to read large-type books. Why was I doing this? In part, it may have been because I was forced to look at his situation with less subjectivity. Perhaps it was because I began to recognize there were a few things he couldn't do as well as others. Most of all, I believe that my feelings came from the fact that society emphasizes disabilities as a difference between human beings.
While it is necessary to be aware of other's disabilities, they should not be the distinguishing factor between two people. As we continued through middle school, I realized that losing contact often causes one to lose sight of somebody's true personality, and the characteristics that make them who they are. However, I would eventually notice his maturity, perseverance and determination in all areas of his life, qualities which have led him to develop into a young man I truly admire.
During my junior year, we were placed in the same Aquatics class. I discovered our interests now differed, but that we had both pursued and achieved a number of personal goals. The last time we spoke, at his parents' New Year's Party, I was inspired by the amount of things he had accomplished in the past year. He had become manager of the school store and had won Albany High School's only gold medal in the regional DECA business competition. He got a job at Eastern Mountain Sports. Over the summer, he had participated in a rigorous mountain climbing and hiking trip in the Adirondacks, not for a second letting his disability get in the way of doing something he loved.
I thought back to that first day in the park, when I had worried that his sight might cause him to fall and hurt himself. Now, he had pushed himself to do something considered difficult for anybody. This inspirational individual has never allowed his disability to become his most prominent quality, and consequently, he has encouraged me to view disabilities in the same way. I feel that he has served as an example to society, showing that disabilities do not dictate an individual's personality or quality of life.••• from Quality of Care
R.A.V.E. GEARS UP FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Recreational Adventures & Vacation
Experiences Providing Adults with Disabilities Vacation and
Recreation Opportunities
Having had a great beginning back in the 1900's, R.A.V.E. is preparing to meet the challenges and opportunities of the new millennium with growth in the areas of staff, finances and services. Already a full time employee has been added which will expand the capacity of this organization to offer great vacations on a consistent basis. Chris Olson has come on board and is hard at work planning, organizing and leading some great adventures. Expect many new trips in addition to those that have become annual events.
In addition to such favorites as Yellowstone Park in Winter, Disneyland, Big Horn Days and Rapid City new trips will include Branson, Hawaii, Seattle, The International Kite Flying Competition in Longbeach Washington and many other exciting, fun filled ideas. From baseball to football, from beaches to mountains, in Spring and in Summer R.A.V.E. is committed to safe and fun vacations at an affordable price.
R.A.V.E. has a scholarship program to meet the needs of individuals who could otherwise not afford these trip. We also can accommodate spend downs, set up a monthly payment plan and those wishing to prepay for a trip can do so. We do our best to insure those without financial means may participate.
Fundraising will be an emphasis in the future with several programs already underway. The annual letter campaign in December continues to result in financial resources. A new fund, the Troy Bleecker Memorial Fund has been established that also provides opportunities for individuals to contribute financially to this worthy cause. Troy was an avid participant in many R.A.V.E outings. He was killed in a tragic automobile accident in September and has been and will continue to be greatly missed.
At the present time, R.A.V.E. is limited to serving adults with disabilities but with the addition of staff and resources we hope to include all ages in the future. With growth will come other exciting opportunities for those with disabilities including employment opportunities. In the mean time R.A.V.E. continues to be a quality program which is committed to its participants. Their personal safety and memorable vacation experience is the highest priority. Please take advantage of this opportunity by participating in one or more of the exciting trips that are being planned.
For those wanting more information on R.A.V.E. we would be more than happy to set up a time to come and present the program to your group or an individual. Maybe you just want to be placed on our mailing list.
Contact Chris Olson / R.A.V.E. @ PO Box 80185 Billings, MT. 59108-0185 or Phone 1888-882-1927 or 406-652-5443 or Fax 406-652-9361 or E-mail juecker@wtp.net
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have read an article that you would like to share and can get permission for QM to reprint it, or if you have written an article that you would like to submit for publication to Quality Matters, contact Lee Ann Logan at 1-800-222-7585 or email at llogan@pluk.org.
New Library Materials
The TRIC/PLUK Library has recently purchased the following materials. Call Janice at 1-800-222-7585 or (406) 255-0540 for more information or to check out these items.
QUALITY CORNER
DD Case Managers: If you have things to add to this section, please send them to me. I will compile, edit, and send articles and information on to Lee Ann. Contact: James Driggers at 444-2995.
Case Management Training in May
The annual case management training will be held in Helena on May 2 - 4. Perry Jones has sent a survey out to all case managers to see what sort of training needs to be presented. Please take a moment to fill out the survey and send it back in to Perry. Representatives of State and contracted agencies will meet and decide which training will be presented, but we will discuss Community Supports.Community Supports
Community Supports plans are coming together quickly. As of 01/18/00, we have 117 plans entered into the system, with many more on the way. Lots of work has been done to get the plans together and on the way, and case managers deserve a pat on the back for their part in the process.Remember that all Community Supports agreements for FY 2001 must be reauthorized and signed prior to July 01, 2000. The contracting group recommended that case managers have the new agreement completed by early May in order to have time for all parties to make modifications if need be, sign the agreement, and get it into the DDP Central Office for processing. More information on the renewal process will be forthcoming, with specific time lines and suggestions.
To avoid a time crunch in June in terms of getting plans reauthorized, the contracting group also recommended that if a community supports agreement for FY00 has not been signed by February 14, 2000, then agreements for the remainder of FY00 and all of FY01 should be completed at the same time. There will be two separate documents, but the agreements for both years should be developed concurrently.
New SSI Rate
Beginning in January, the new SSI rate has been increased to $512. This is the usual cost of living adjustment that occurs each January.•••
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