Issue V - September 15, 2021
Love, Friendship, and Community
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Dear Members, Families, and Friends,
The autumn season is upon us, and we are pleased to present the September issue of our quarterly newsletter! We hope that all of our readers had a fun and memorable summer. We have had lots of engagement for this issue of The Connection, and today we bring you stories of love and marriage, friendships forged in support, and spotlights on members of our community.
If you would like to share your story or know of a resource that could be useful to our members, please reach out to us. We want to hear from you!
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When Chris Met Janet: A Love Story |
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Above: Chris and Janet Vance sit together on the porch during a visit to Chris’ residence at Springbrook’s Cook Street Community Home. Janet brought Chris a few of his old yearbooks to look at.
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There’s a saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” and it certainly holds true for Chris and Janet Vance. Years ago, Chris lived in a group home on East Street in Oneonta, and Janet lived in a ladies-only home in West Oneonta. Janet and Chris met when she moved into the East Street house. They started hanging out and began to grow fond of each other. A pivotal moment in their relationship came one night when it was Janet’s turn to cook dinner. By chance, Chris’ parents were also coming to visit that evening for supper, so the pressure was on.
“I made two lasagnas,” said Janet, “one with meat, and the other with spinach, so there would be a vegetarian [option]. Because I didn’t know what Chris’ parents would like to eat! I wanted them to be happy.”
As it turns out, Janet is quite the chef, and Chris was absolutely smitten. “I thought to myself, if a girl can cook like that, then she’s got to be pretty smart,” he said. “She was definitely a keeper.” Chris said his parents agreed with him that Janet was a very special lady, and it wasn’t long after that Chris decided to ask Janet for her hand in marriage.
She said yes!
Married in 2003, this September 20th will mark the Vance’s 18th wedding anniversary. They were wed at the St. James Episcopal Church in Oneonta and then went on a honeymoon to Texas, which was organized through People and Places, a regional non-profit organization that provides small group vacation opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They went to the Alamo and the Wildlife Ranch African Safari and had a very memorable trip.
As newlyweds, Janet and Chris decided to move into their own place. They found a private apartment through Springbrook, a regional nonprofit service provider, at the organization's Oak and Elm Community Home. The private apartment is located at the back of the large home in Oneonta's historic city center. They both recall the incredibly steep stairs, which they joke wasn’t exactly ideal, but nonetheless, they were very happy to have their own space together. They also got a cat and named him Levi.
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Above: Photos of Chris and Janet in their first apartment with their cat, Levi. Below: Janet and Chris on a tour at the Alamo (left) and out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant during their honeymoon vacation.
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The Right to a Relationship: Dating and People with I/DD |
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Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the legal right to make their own choices, including the right to choose to date, live with a significant other, and get married. They have the right to exercise choices regarding sexual expression and social relationships. The presence of I/DD, regardless of severity, does not, in itself, justify the loss of rights related to relationships or sexuality.
All people have the right within interpersonal relationships to:
- Develop friendships and emotional and sexual relationships where they can love and be loved, and begin and end a relationship as they choose;
- Dignity and respect; and
- Privacy, confidentiality, and freedom of association.
Read more about the relationship rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our recent blog post.
“The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and a richness to life that nothing else can bring.” -Oscar Wilde
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Learn to Lead Relationships and Sexuality Workshops for Parents of Kids with I/DD |
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This live, online training is designed for parents of a child with I/DD to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to lead workshops for other parents so they can talk about healthy relationships and sexuality with their young and grown children with I/DD. Participants will gain the skills and the tools they need to lead a two-hour workshop, including curriculum, handouts, presentation slides, evaluations, tips for success, and ongoing support. They will also receive a certificate of completion for passing a learning objective assessment.
There is no fee to attend, but in exchange for attending we ask you to implement these workshops in your community. Attend ONE of the following trainings:
Region 1 & 2 NY Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautaugua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates.
Region 4 & 5 NY Counties: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk, Queens.
Region 3 NY Counties: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester.
Registration priority will be given to those who live in the training region and are a parent of a child with I/DD. For questions, contact: Lindsey Austin-Davis, lindsey@elevatustraining.com
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At Southern Tier Connect,
Our Members are More than Just a Number
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Elizabeth Gomez and her son, Eliot, moved to Binghamton five years ago. They relocated from New York City to find a more affordable living situation and also to be closer to Elizabeth’s daughter while she attended college there.
Eliot has special needs and qualified to receive Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) services in New York. But, according to Elizabeth, MSC options were few and far between. “Eliot only saw his MSC coordinator once a year. The coordinator never called to see how he was doing, and would only come by when they absolutely had to, so Eliot and I could sign paperwork. Eliot didn’t really get out into the community to be with his friends or socialize at all.”
When MSC services transitioned to Care Coordination, the Gomez family chose care coordination with Southern Tier Connect. That’s when they first met Mimi Tyree. “Mimi is totally different,” said Elizabeth. “I feel really close to her because she gives me so much information and has so many ideas and resources for Eliot. She’s like a family member, always calling us and keeping up with what’s happening.”
The story of Mimi, Elizabeth, and Eliot’s relationship is a compelling example of how care coordination is more than just paperwork and numbers. It takes a special person to be a care manager, someone with compassion and understanding—something you can’t get from certifications or specialized degrees.
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On the Job with Roselyn Hathaway |
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Roselyn has some of the best qualities you can ask for in customer service—she’s quick on her feet, is friendly and personable, and is a hard, dedicated worker. Roselyn has held several jobs in the Otesgo County area, starting as a cashier at the Great American in Unadilla in 2014. She worked there for three and a half years until the supermarket closed in December of 2017. At that point, she got a new job at the Price Chopper in Oneonta.
Roselyn and her mother live in Unadilla, and Roselyn’s mother gives her rides to and from work. After a few months of working at Price Chopper, it became clear that they needed to find something closer to home with an easier commute. Roselyn spoke with her Care Manager at Southern Tier Connect, Terri McCue, to discuss job opportunities near her home, and together they worked with Roselyn’s job coach, Katherine Ritchey, a supportive employment specialist at Springbrook, to get Roselyn set up with the best job for her.
She put in applications at a few places and was hired as a cashier at the Dollar General in Sidney. So far, she is a natural fit and is well-liked by both the customers and her fellow employees. “I like the closeness of the employees,” Roselyn said. “At the grocery stores, all the staff were spread out—people in the deli, in the bakery, in freight—everyone was in different sections. Here, everyone is closer and it’s not as overwhelming with the amounts of products.”
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Roselyn is very happy with her new job, and her boss, Deanna, is delighted to have her on board. “Everyone loves Roselyn,” she said, “she’s great!”
Photos: Above, Roselyn stands behind the cash register at her new job at Dollar General. At right, Roselyn with her manager, Deanna.
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Emergency Room Follow-Up Protocols |
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A focus for NYS OPWDD, NYS Department of Health, and Southern Tier Connect (STC) is proper and comprehensive follow-up and transitional care. As such, STC staff value providing support for individuals and their families after an emergency. For members who have opted to receive this type of support from STC, we want to ensure you know what you can expect from your care manager after a trip to the Emergency Room or admission to the hospital.
Southern Tier Connect and a member’s specific care manager are alerted of hospital admission or registration to an Emergency Room by a RHIO system. A RHIO is a local hub where a region’s electronic health information is stored and shared between approved entities (Learn more about RHIOs here). Care managers are also notified of ER visits or hospitalization stays by individuals, family members, or a person's representative.
Once notified, care managers assist members on their caseload during this emergency period by reaching out and providing support as needed. The care manager will establish contact with the member/family member/advocate or residential staff by a phone call or preferred method of contact. During this contact, your care manager can support you in any of the following ways:
- By scheduling a tele/face-to-face visit with your care manager;
- By providing support with ensuring you obtain any prescribed medication from your visit;
- By assisting to schedule a follow-up appointment with your Primary Care Physician (PCP);
- By providing locations of urgent care near you, telehealth sites you can log onto, or provide you with after hour numbers for clinics or PCP;
- By providing you with educational materials on your diagnosis; and
- By making referrals to additional providers as needed.
At Southern Tier Connect, we are proud to provide personal, quality support and member choice. We understand that not every emergency room visit may require extensive support from a care manager, so individuals and families also have the choice to decline follow-up care from STC. For questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to our Population Health Coordinator, Mitanshu Mehta at: mehtam@southerntierconnect.org
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Considering Running for Local Office? Explore Effective Ways You Can Overcome Your Disability and Win |
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If you’re considering a run for local office, there are plenty of important things to consider and prepare before moving forward. Those who have disabilities of any kind — from physical impairments to mental health challenges — often have even more to do to ready themselves for their campaigns.
Thankfully, there are several incredibly helpful strategies that you can use to overcome your challenges and get elected to your chosen position. Here are four valuable strategies that anyone with a disability can use as they prepare to run for local office.
Hire a trusted team of experts.
When running for any office, it is crucial to surround yourself with people who can help you reach your goals. That’s why it is important to hire a team of trusted experts across specialties. This will be even more necessary if you require assistance related to your disability.
Unsure as to whom you should hire? To start, having a personal assistant, a marketing expert, and a speech/content writer is ideal. Whether you’re in business or running a campaign, one commonly overlooked expert to hire is a cybersecurity expert. Someone with this knowledge can actually protect your website and any other sensitive online data from cyberattacks.
Consider taking online classes that are relevant to your particular elected position.
Have a passion for doing the work of a specific elected position but still lack knowledge that would make you even better at your role? Consider enrolling in online classes.
Whether you’d like to brush up on history, economics, or any other subject, you can learn exactly what you want to know from expert faculty members. Instead of attending classes on campus, you can accommodate your needs and schedule with online classes. You can review course materials when it makes sense for you, and you can avoid the challenges that can sometimes accompany in-person attendance. Equipped with the knowledge you need, you can easily show your community that you are the best fit for the position.
Seek additional help in managing your condition.
If needed, work with health professionals to help you better manage your condition. Depending on your individual challenges, you may experience more flare-ups due to increased stress, physical movement, or other factors. Running for office is no easy task, which is why it is super important that you take care of yourself as much as possible.
Pay extra attention to how your mind and body feel each day, and seek care for any new or worsening symptoms. Being proactive about your health can help you have the best possible experience and reduce the chance of having to drop out of the election.
Openly discuss your disability with the public.
Although it may feel forced or awkward for some, running for local office can give you an amazing platform to raise awareness for your condition. When appropriate — and as you feel comfortable — don’t be afraid to openly discuss your condition with the public. Talking about various conditions in public settings — especially those related to mental health — can also reduce stigmas and make it easier for others to discuss their own challenges.
The above strategies are an excellent way to kickstart your campaign. By starting strong and having a strategy to carry you through, you’ll put yourself in an incredible position to win your election.
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Ed Carter is a retired financial planner who has worked with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and incomes. About 10 years into his career, Ed recognized a need for financial planners that specialize in helping individuals and families living with disabilities. Regardless of their nature or how long they've affected someone, physical and mental limitations often cause stress and confusion when it comes to financial planning. Many people are unaware of just how many options they have when it comes to financial assistance and planning, and Ed has committed to offering his experience in order to change people's lives for the better.
All of Ed's services are free. If you or your loved one could benefit from financial planning assistance, please visit Ed's website, www.ablefutures.org, for more information.
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New York State and OPWDD will begin to review their budgets again this December. It is critical that our legislators hear from those who will be most impacted by budget changes NOW — before a drastic budget cut proposal is made again. Your letters of testimony to OPWDD will keep the important work of CCOs at the forefront of their minds. You can find contact information for representatives in your district on Southern Tier Connect's advocacy webpage. We encourage you to reach out.
In addition, there is a lot of proposed legislation on both the state and the federal level that directly impacts individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Detailed information can be found on our site and you can also advocate by visiting the links below:
Federal Advocacy
OPWDD Advocacy
NYS Legislature Advocacy
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Above, Assistant Director Carey Peters and Lead Intake and Eligibility Coordinator Juliette Wentworth attend an outreach event during one of Oneonta's "Meet me on Main" street closure events this summer. |
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We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Connection e-newsletter. Do you have a story to share? Email us at marketing@southerntierconnect.org, or call Emily at 607-644-3946. You can also tell your care manager you if would like to be featured in our next issue and have them set up a time for us to interview you. Tell us about your goals, your accomplishments, or just something fun you have been up to. Your stories are important to us!
Know someone who might want to join our mailing list? Please forward them this email and have them visit our website to sign up.
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