We Celebrate the Lives You Changed in 2021
Greetings!

DRA is closing out another challenging year and looking forward to a very exciting year ahead. 2022 marks the 25th Anniversary of DRA’s service to Jefferson County as a Center for Independent Living. Stay tuned for special events and a new format for our newsletter in the coming year.

Some fun changes are already in place. Thanks to Jefferson Foundation and Logo Daddy, some of DRA’s vans are now wrapped with the information people need to contact us for help.

Traditionally DRA has received state funding that makes it possible to provide many of our services for free. This funding is now shrinking, but the needs we want to meet are not. In 25 years, DRA has helped thousands of individuals without charging them. Many live on very limited income and nearly all have a disability. Our desire is to continue to help without charging those who have so little.

In 2022, DRA is looking for 250 individuals who will invest $25 each month so that together we can help low-income residents of Jefferson County with a disability. You will provide rides to the doctor. Ramps to make a home safe again. Aide care to cook and clean and help someone stay in their home instead of a nursing home. Medical equipment that insurance will not cover. You will provide help to fill out forms for benefits and Circuit Breaker Tax Credits. Most of all, we will provide help and hope!

Your year-end gift of any amount today will help provide all these services to those who need us most. Please consider setting up monthly giving from your credit card or bank account for 2022. Together we will be here to help!! May you stay safe and well as we close out 2021. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanks to you, DRA Helps People Everyday!
Enjoy the Stories of Some you Have Helped This Year
CDS Allows Sheldon to Care for His Grandma

Barbara cared for her grandson Sheldon since he was 9 months old. A few years ago their roles reversed. When she took amiodarone to treat her heart condition, it caused her to go blind in one eye and then in both. Steroids restored very limited sight to her right eye, but she has had to face the difficult challenges of learning to live without sight.

“I don’t know what I would do without Sheldon. He helps me with nearly everything now,” Barbara brags on him.

Sheldon counts it a privilege to care for his grandma. “She was there for me my whole life. I am glad I can be here to help her now!”

DRA helped Barbara fill out the paperwork to qualify for the blind pension. This additional income helps a great deal to pay for food since Barbara can no longer work as a nanny for the physicians for whom she worked before she lost her sight. DRA also helped get Barbara enrolled in Consumer Directed Services (CDS) for the personal care she needs so she can live at home.
Barbara is glad that CDS allows her to grandson Sheldon to get paid to help care for her.
Kathy is grateful for many of DRA's services. She has a nurse who visits every week to help her set up her medication and monitor her health.
Kathy Keeps her Independence with Many DRA Services

Kathy Barlow found DRA in 2004. Since then she has connected to many of DRA’s services. Kathy is an example of someone who comes to DRA for one service and finds many others to preserve their independence.

“I was going downhill and couldn’t take care of myself,” remembers Kathy. “DRA saved me from going into a nursing home. I was used to being on my own, but I needed help. Plus, in a nursing home I couldn’t keep my cat, and she’s my support animal.”

Kathy now has a nurse who comes weekly to set up her medication. She also has an aide that comes to help her with cleaning and shopping.

“I call my aides my angels,” Kathy brags. “They are here when I need them.”

DRA transportation provides Kathy rides to essential shopping. She has also made friends at DRA Social Group events.

Over the years, Kathy has become like family to many staff at DRA. We look forward to Kathy’s hugs and her infectious laugh. Lauren, her Independent Living Specialist, helped Kathy choose a free assistive phone that was easy for her to use. She helps fill out Kathy’s annual Circuit Breaker Tax Credit form. Lauren also helped Kathy and her family understand how to manage her assets so she will maintain her benefits. Kathy is very happy now that her family is more involved in her life.

“I am so glad I can keep independence!”
Karen, Jack, Dennis and Others Are Waiting for Your Help
Your year-end gift provides many vital services to Kathy, Barbara and Sheldon, and others free of charge!

Many others depend on us to help them live with health and dignity in their own home. For example, Karen is 71 and lives alone. She has no car or family nearby. She depends on her CDS attendant to help her with personal care. She also needs your help with home modifications and transportation to medical visits.

Jack is just 49 but has already had several back surgeries. He lives on less than $10,000 of annual Social Security Disability benefits. He needs your assistance with personal care and medical equipment loans.

At just 49, Dennis has had several strokes leading to partial paralysis. He and his mother depend on us to guide them through the process of applying for benefits and finding all the resources he now requires to support his needs.

Your year-end gift of any amount will provide these services today. Your reoccurring monthly gift will make it possible for others to live safe and healthy lives in their own!

Choose the amount of difference you will make TODAY for those waiting for help.  

$25 can provide grab bars to make a home safe and accessible
$50 can provide a life-saving round-trip ride for medical needs
$250 can provide one week of in-home aide care
$2,500 can build a ramp to make a home safe again
$_________  Choose your own amount to make a difference!
DRA is grateful for every dollar of support you give!
Will you be one of 250 to give $25 monthly in 2022?
Thank you for your gift today!!