Adversity Brings Strength

http://encouragement100.com/?p=420

I was thrilled reading this story of Peng Shulin. His life is a feat of endurance, a triumph of the human spirit in overcoming extreme adversity. Next time I want to complain about something trivial, I won't. I'll remember Peng Shulin instead.

Goodbye to Stereotypes

http://www.wltx.com/news/national/article/121995/2/Teacher-Born-With-Down-Syndrome-Breaks-Sterotypes

Nothing I like more than a happy, sappy story! With drive, love for what you do and a vision for the future, it is possible for dreams to come true. Just watch...

Heartwarming story of struggle and success

Undeniably, we all have challenges in our lives. It's part of being human. I appreciate stories like this, to reinforce to me that success comes with drive, committment and love and support from others.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/31/2553241/his-field-of-dreams-helps-others.html##

For your viewing pleasure!

The Joint Committee on Children’s Issues is a group of legislators (currently 5 senators and 5 representatives, both democrat and republican ) who have the charge to discuss things related to children. Luckily, the chair of that committee is Johnson County’s own Senator Lynn and the co-chair is Johnson County’s Representative Kiegerl. I say “lucky” because both are not only concerned about children, but concerned about children with disabilities!

This committee has agreed to allow the DD community two days of hearings!
· Tuesday, Dec. 7th the committee will hear about autism
· Wednesday, Dec. 8th will be devoted to the DD waiting list
· The hearings are held at the capitol in Topeka
· 9:00 start time ending around 4:00
· Hearings will be held in room 546
· There will be a break between noon and 1:30
· There is underground parking which can be accessed from 8th St (the North side of the capitol)
· This committee won’t officially take action, but will formulate recommendations that go to leadership

This hearing is open to the public so feel free to attend (part or all). It will provide a great opportunity to listen, learn, support and advocate. It is really an awesome experience!

We have a list of families that will be providing testimony and representing all of us concerned about these two issues. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they share their stories.

JCDS gets "YouTubing"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ASrJFwwmo&feature=player_embedded



Check out our attempt with modern media. We're a long way from the old VCR cassette tape aren't we? Life is grand....

There's No Place Like Home

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_kansas/johnson_county/homes-renovated-and-made-more-accessible-for-residents

Many thanks to Channel 41 KSHB TV for filming this spot about the latest Friends of JCDS accessible home. As Dorothy says..."there's no place like home"!

Monday Morning Update

Your Monday Morning Update:

Are you afraid to pick up your phone in the evening due to the possibility of having to listen to one more robocall? Are you tired of answering the door to view a well-meaning neighbor standing on your porch, anxious to provide you with a flyer about the merits of their candidate? Are you weary of seeing television ads about the dreadful or swell things that political contenders have been up to?

Well, the days of having to put up with all of this is almost over because General Election Day is just around the corner! Even through all the confusion and mixed messages, I hope you listened, read, learned and studied, because your vote will help to determine who will represent you and advocate for individuals with disabilities during the coming years.

· Advanced voting in person starts Oct. 19 through Oct. 30th. Go to www.jocoelection.org to find the location nearest you.

· Advanced voting by mail is an easy option for many. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm Oct. 29th. Obtain an application at www.jocoelection.org/advapp.pdf.

· Vote in person at your assigned location on Nov. 2nd (election day). Voting hours are 7am – 7pm. To find your polling location, go to www.jocopolo.com and put your address in the box labeled “address lookup”. Your location magically appears! Now how easy is that?


Please take the opportunity to vote because your vote DOES make a difference!

Kansas City Ability Day

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/17/2323057/ability-day-is-all-about-potential.html



Lately it seems that every time I pick up a newspaper, I see an article about disablities. Sometimes it's heartwarming news, sometimes sad news, sometimes it makes me angry and sometimes it motivates me. Regardless, it confirms that individuals with disabilities are part of our community. Here to stay. They are part of us. We are part of them! Progress begins with tiny steps.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-story-disabled-workers-olathe-100610,0,6843571.story


October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Thanks to WDAF TV (Fox 4), I'm please to share this story about a wonderful gentleman with a disability who is employed by the Olathe Residence Inn by Marriot. I hope you enjoy the story of their partnership!

King for a Day

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/oct/02/crowning-achievement-fshs-homecoming-opens-new-doo/

Sometimes I get the crazy notion that "all's good in the world" then I sit back and realize that I'm being a wee bit delusional! As I read the attached article, I think I'm justified in thinking "all's good at Free State High School". What do you think?

Fox 4 news story about a local family on the DD waiting list

This story aired on 8.17.10. Thank you, Fox 4 for bringing this important story to the airwaves! Click HERE to view.

I'm not a crier...well that is, I'm not usually a crier, but last night I shed a tear or two. I happened to sit down for a few minutes of television after a day of work and play, and watched an episode from the TV series "Glee". Thought I'd share so you might shed a tear or two also.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ufTvuGGBU

Legislative Update

It is officially NOT Monday but I wanted to provide you a quick update on primary election results from yesterday. Those results can be viewed on the attached link. Be sure to click on the “unofficial final results” link and it will let you in on both winners and losers.

Statewide, there were 10 Republicans that had voted to support enhanced DD funding AND had primary races. There was quite an effort to replace those representatives with candidates that were more fiscally conservative.

Of those ten races, only one lost their primary bid. Jill Quigley from Johnson County (Lenexa area) was defeated by Kelly Meigs.

Regardless of one’s belief system; moderate/conservative, Republican/Democrat, Jill was a staunch supporter of individuals with developmental disabilities in Topeka. Her voice advocating for persons with DD will be deeply missed.

LATE BREAKING NEWS:
This morning, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1586 which contains $16.1 billion in FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage). If you remember, these are the matching funds that the Feds put towards certain State medical and social service programs.

The Governor used these enhanced FMAP dollars to balance this FY’11 budget and if not extended, would place Kansas in a financial heap of trouble!

Passage of this bill will maintain the Federal match at 70%. This bill’s next stop will be the U.S. House and is expected to pass without much effort.

November elections will be upon us soon. Start studying!

Warm Regards,
Lurena Mead

Vacuum and Beyond

Sometimes I feel like Kansas is in a vacuum and everything that happens, just happens here. Then I come to my senses. After viewing this link, I realized that we are smack dab in the middle of a nationwide epidemic that deems folks with disabilities as forgotten, invisible, obscure. I don't like it, not at all, not one teeny tiny bit.

http://www.youtube.com/noewait1

Latest JCDS newsletter!

Click HERE to read the July-Sept Images newsletter!

Now or Later

Ponder for a minute what these following examples have in common:

1- Your kitchen faucet continually drips so you replace the washer and stop the drip.
2- You patch your roof when it rains in your living room during a storm.
3- You change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles.
4-You mend a tear in the seam of your favorite shirt.

If you answered "I spend money upfront to prevent spending more money in the future" you are absolutely correct!

Now...with that in mind, read the attached article and ask yourself the question "what would it look like if the Government spent money up front to prevent spending more money in the future?"

The me, the last paragraph of the article is key. "So often the programs to go are the early interventions that save money and keep people healthy,” Professor Davis said. “That comes back to bite you.”

After reading the article, I'm curious...what do YOU think?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/us/21aging.html?_r=2

Summer Friends of JCDS Update

THANK YOU MR. MAYOR!

Friend of JCDS chairman John Holt and Overland Park Mayor
and exiting board member, Carl Gerlach

It was our final agenda item of a busy summer meeting and it was bittersweet.
In 1990, a group of supporters gathered around a table, each tossing in a dollar or two. And so began what we know today as "Friends of JCDS".
One of those original members has stayed on our Friends board, allowed by our by-laws because he's a charter member. Always quick with a suggestion, or idea, or joke, he's been a solid supporter.
From his role as a charter member, to now mayor of Overland Park, Carl Gerlach has been a key player in the growth of Friend's fundraising, friendraising, and certainly its community presence. After two decades on the Friend's board, Mayor Gerlach graciously decided to step aside to make room for some fresh energy and ideas. He promised, as we awarded him the traditional farewell plaque (with beautiful JCDS consumer art), to stay engaged and available. We will miss him, but know he will indeed be there to guide us if we need him, whether providing a contact, or just a word of advice.
Thank you Mr. Mayor. You've made life for consumers and staff at JCDS more rewarding, and you've made a number of new "friends" on our Friend's board, including me. I'll always treasure that and know I'm not alone in my sentiments.

*******

No summer vacation for our board, staff, and supporters....from an Mixed Martial Arts Fundraiser at Outlaw Cigar in Overland Park, to renovations on House #11, to a fantastic JCDS Night at the Barn Players presentation of "The Boys Next Door", it's been a busy season. Work is already starting on next spring's Restyle Runway, and in September, we'll host an open house for our newest home, House #11! Whew!
Oh yes, the Spring Fling proved to be a fun event on May 27th, and mark your calendars for September 23rd, for a very special Dorothy K. Dorfman Picnic. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festive event!
Our committees have been hard at work, and even as we say goodbye to Mayor Gerlach, we welcome a new board member, Michelle Gressel. Great to have you Michelle!
Know that your "Friends of JCDS" board is active and engaged, and ready to serve. Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions. That's what "Friends" are for! Have a great summer!

John Holt
President, Friends of JCDS

Monday Morning Update

Last week, SRS announced that within the next few weeks, they will be allocating funds to remove and serve 143 individuals from the DD waiting list! What joyous news that is for those lucky 143! This whittling of the waiting list was made possible by the votes of legislators who heard our message and determined that funding for disability services was a priority.

(Not to put a damper on the good news…we must not forget the more than 4,000 others that will continue to wait).

With primary elections nipping at our heels, many folks have asked how their current elected officials voted on the tax and budget bills that made it possible to serve these well-deserving 143 individuals.

You asked for it - You got it!

NOTE: I have highlighted those legislators facing a primary election

Representatives voting YES on both bills:
Benlon, Bollier, Colloton, Furtado, Neighbor, Quigley, Slattery, Spalding, Wolf, Worley

Representatives voting YES on budget bill and No on tax bill: Rardin, Talia

Representatives voting NO on both bills:
Brown, Donohoe, Kiegerl, Kinzer, Kleeb, Merrick, Olson, Schwab, Siegfreid, Yoder

The only Senator on the ballot in this election, Terrie Huntington, does have a primary election. Terrie voted YES for both the tax and budget bills benefitting those with disabilities.

Don’t neglect this primary election on AUGUST 3rd – your vote will help determine whether your legislators are there to represent those with disabilities next year. Your voice doesn’t count if you don’t vote.

- Advanced voting by mail begins July 14th
- Last day to register to vote is July 19th
- Advanced voting in person begins on July 20th
- Advanced voting closes 12:00 noon on August 2nd
- Fall Primary begins August 3rd.

I’ve attached a link to the Johnson County election site. It has information as to how, where, and when to vote.
http://www.jocopolo.com/

Warm Regards…and happy voting,
Lurena Mead

Seizures and Symphonies

Who would have ever guessed that music and epilepsy have something in common? Three KU professors have collaborated on a film which uses music to help the listener visualize what happens to the brain during a seizure. The "music metaphor" is indeed an interesting depiction of the disruption a seizure wreaks on the brain. Now sit back, close your eyes....and listen!

http://www.news.ku.edu/2010/july/8/epilepsy.shtml

To Vote or Not To Vote...That is the Question!

Fall elections will be upon us soon and each person over the age of 18 is faced with a decision as to whether to vote or not to vote.

There are plenty of excuses why people don't excercise this right to vote. Excuses such as "it's such a hassle, I don't have the time, my vote won't really make a difference, I don't know the candidates or their stance on the issues.

Fling those excuses into the wind and let's talk about the reasons why you SHOULD vote.

1- It allows you the right to express your choice in selecting individuals to lead our government.

2-Americans believe in Democracy and voting demonstrates support for this democratic structure.

3- Voting forces candidates to share their beliefs and ideas and leads to greater accountability.

4- Showing up to the polls sets a good example for others who tend not to want to excercise their right to vote.

5- Taking the time to vote demonstrates your pride in this nation and our government. As imperfect as it sometimes appears, don't surrender your right to show that you care about the direction that our leaders are taking us.

Dwight D. Eisenhower said "The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter."

Partake in this powerful gift. Don't surrender your right to vote.