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June, 2016
 Congratulations to
the Project SEARCH
Class of 2016!
 
Back from L to R:  Robert, Samantha, and Andrea.  Front from L to R:  Jean (Teacher), Michaela, Jacob, Brian, Austin and Iris (Job Coach). 

The interns received their completion certificates on June 6. We wish them well on the next steps in their journey!
 
Move with the Mayor
 
 L to R:  Police Chief, Andrew Smith, Mayor Jim Schmitt, Drew and John.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., killing 1 in 3 Americans.  Research shows that walking as little as 30 minutes a day can reduce a person's risk of heart disease by 40%. 
 
Each Tuesday, ASPIRO joins Mayor Jim Schmitt to take a 30 minute midday walk through Downtown Green Bay as a part of the Move with the Mayor campaign in partnership with the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention.
  Clancy Caper
Golf Classic
 

THANK YOU to all the golfers, sponsors and volunteers who supported the 40th Annual Clancy Caper Golf Classic and raised $40,000 for ASPIRO programs.  #40for40!
 
Click here for more photos.
Upcoming Dates

Friends Forever Banquet
July 12

Dousman Summer Picnic
July 15

Ability Awareness Week
July 25-29
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Intellectual Disability and Dementia
 
ASPIRO makes every effort to know and understand the unique individual strengths, abilities, capabilities, talents, interests, preferences and needs of all consumers.
 
Given communication problems associated with intellectual disability ASPIRO recognizes its responsibility to identify and share patterns of functional decline in our consumers with those authorized to receive this information.
 
Recently, I read what follows and even though it is somewhat dated I think the information remains useful and provides us with examples of functional decline we may observe from consumers while receiving our services.
 
Dementia is an overall term for conditions characterized by a decline in memory or other thinking skills that affects a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
 
It is still commonly believed that intellectual disability increases the chances of developing dementia. While it is true that people with Down syndrome are at greatly increased risk, other people with intellectual disability have the same chances as adults without disabilities of developing dementia as they age (Fisher & Kettl 2005).
 
By age 50, the rate of dementia for people with Down syndrome is over 40%, increasing to over 50% by age 60. The early symptoms of dementia mimic those of a number of other conditions that are treatable, including depression, thyroid dysfunction, urinary tract infections, diabetes, poor diet, and sensory loss (Janicki et al. 1996).
 
Dementia in people with intellectual disability is generally characterized by:
  • Loss of previous abilities to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
  • Wandering
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Delusions and hallucinations
  • Loss of conversational skills
Unlike others with dementia, aggressive behavior is rare in people with Down syndrome who have dementia (Fisher & Kettl 2005).

Mike Duschene
President
Hired!

Congratulations to the following consumers who found work experience or permanent employment positions during the months of May and June:
 
Project SEARCH Interns
Jacob - 7 Up Bottling
Robert - Packer Fastener*
Michaela - HSHS St. Vincent Hospital
Andrea - HSHS St. Vincent Hospital
Austin - Xperience Fitness
 
Temporary Work Experience
Christopher - Younkers
Alex - Jake's Pizza*
Katy - Mustard Seed Café*
Taylor - Dairy Queen De Pere
Jessica - Care for All Ages
Brian - ASPIRO
 
Permanent Placements
Marlilyn - Walmart
Christopher - Planet Fitness East*
Ted - Planet Fitness East*
Camille - Burger King Suamico*
Jill -  Nicolet National Bank*
Justin - Luna Café*
Brianna - Planet Fitness West*
Abby - Fox Converting
Katy - Burger King Military*
Abigail - Planet Fitness West*
Venus - Anduzzi's*
Nathan - NEW Tent*
 
* denotes a new business