Prairie Independent Living Resource Center s1

PRAIRIE INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCE CENTER

The Voice Of PILR

Chris Owens, Editor

Heather Jones, Design Layout

March 15, 2005

Volume 4, Issue 1

KIDS

By Chris Owens, Executive Director

Knowledge and Insight into the Disability Spirit (KIDS) is PILR’s newest project and is made possible with grant funds from the Youth Philanthropic Council of the Hutch Community Foundation. PILR is one of seven local nonprofit organizations receiving grant awards in 2005.

For the past 2 years PILR has spent 3 afternoons in July at Boys & Girls Club doing disability sensitivity training, showing assistive technology, teaching civil rights, and having a great time. The KIDS dollars will be used to purchase 3 videos and several books that will be used this summer and beyond. In addition to Boys & Girls Club, we plan to use them at library story hours, in schools, and anywhere else we are invited. In fact, if you are interested in borrowing these materials, or having PILR share them and lead a discussion afterwards, give me a call. Community education is the best part of my job.

The goal of KIDS is twofold. First, because PILR staff and board are people with disabilities, the youth can see that children with disabilities can grow up to have careers and families and be contributing members of our community. Our second goal is to teach youth not only to accept each other’s differences, but to cherish them.

PILR’s board and staff want to say a heartfelt thank you to the Youth Philanthropic Council and the Hutch Community Foundation. Thank you for investing in PILR and our youth.

REAL CHOICES FOR REAL PEOPLE

By Stephanie Sanford, ILS/TCM

For the past few weeks the Real Choice Strategic Plan for the state of Kansas has been in a state of limbo formally known as medication. In a nutshell: a group of 5-6 committee members voiced concern with the outcome of our efforts and questioned the process in a Minority Report necessitating further consideration before the Strategic Plan was initiated. In other words, we were at a standstill.

I took the opportunity to catch up on some research. It’s something I wish I had done months ago. Here’s what I found.

Most intriguing was a recognition and discussion concerning the changing demographics of individuals needing long term supports and services. Examining the effect of baby boomers – approximately 70 million in the U.S. by 2030 – the article concluded that “we must create a system that is able to respond efficiently and effectively to changes in the demographics, needs, and interests of a not yet aged population when it is aged.”

For many generations the practiced progression of living arrangements went something like this: from my own home to an assisted living arrangement to a nursing home. This practiced progression drove the long term care market for decades…but times change. The baby boomer’s perception of the “natural progression of living arrangements” goes something like this: my home to my home with accommodations to my home with more accommodations to my home with as many accommodations as I need to remain in my home. And I was encouraged to find support for this premise as I continued reading.

The publication went on to examine, in length, the changing landscape of long term care supports and services. It spoke of providing objective and accessible information and resources. It supported a “continuum of choices in services” by expanding the use of assistive technology and home modifications. It spoke of investing “savings from reduction of nursing home growth into expansion of community based programs.” It encouraged the use of universal design in construction and remodeling. It embraced the need for “high quality services and supports at all levels of individual need” responsive to individual expectations. And it addressed the need for effective, efficient, and affordable services and supports.

In a supporting document the author concludes that“remaining a part of the larger community [enhances] quality of life and [reduces the] need for nursing home placement. Affordable and various options of care services…are cost effective.” Cultural competency – responding to changing demographics and needs – is celebrated and support for continued independence is promoted throughout the article. It was so affirming to read this authors’ perception of long term care options for a changing population – one that celebrated independence.

And then I clicked my heels three times and realized I was still in Kansas. These were the same types of comments that had been criticized in the Minority Report – individually responsive supports and services/affordability of options/focus on the individual needs and accommodations – as being unrealistic in scope and degree. In all honesty, the only glaring difference between what I read on the internet and what the Strategic Planning Committee developed was this – one plan was inclusive of every Kansan who utilized and needed long term care services and supports. The other applied only to a select group of Kansans. The goal of each plan mirrored one another.

I wish I had found this information last year. It could very well have saved a lot of time and headaches. If you’re interested in reading these documents that celebrate choice and independence in their entirety I would invite you to go to this website: www.agingkansas.org . The Strategic Plan from the Kansas Department on Aging was developed in June 2001 and amended in July 2002. The accompanying letter From the Secretary, found on the KDOA website, September 9, 2004 is equally enlightening.

Our reality is not quite so rosy. Thousands of Kansans under the age of 65 remain – against their choice – in facilities while entire departments of state government celebrate “freedom and choice.” Theory and reality seem distant cousins as independent living advocates continue to work for elder Kansans whose choices are being limited by the very individuals who profess to be on their side. When we fight for civil rights there is a key element that must be present. Civil rights are not discretionary…they are not situational…and they should not be exclusionary. As advocates in the independent living movement our focus remains constant…civil rights for all individuals – no matter how young or old/across all disabilities.

And it really is that simple…no matter what website you look at.

The Voice Of PILR

Page 2 of 6

UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet The Candidate

The NAACP and PILR are cosponsoring a candidate forum on March 31st. This will provide each of us an opportunity to meet the individuals running for Hutchinson City Council. An interpreter will be provided.

Date: March 31, 2005

Time: 7:00P.M. - 8:30P.M.

Where: Hutchinson Public Library

Kan-SAIL

Are you 55 years of age or older experiencing severe vision loss and are unable to read standard print with best correction? Kan-SAIL may be a solution for you. Please join us April 19, 20 and 21st, 2005 atTrinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main,Hutchinson, Kansas from 9:00A.M. to 3:30P.M. to learn more about Kan-Sail. Must call to register 1-800-547-5789

Wiley Elementary Student to Attend WLF

My name is Bria Jones and I am a sixth grade student at Wiley Elementary School. I am the daughter of Eric and Heather Jones. In November of 2004 I was nominated by my teacher, Margo Suhler, to participate in the People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington D.C. Upon completion of all needed paperwork, I received a letter in December stating that I had been accepted into the program April 11, 2005 – April 17, 2005. I was so excited!
For those who don't know, The People to People World Leadership Forum (WLF) is an organization founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During the 7-day excursion, I, along with many others, will be visiting such places as Capitol Hill, Gettysburg, and Colonial Williamsburg. The point of WLF is to teach student leaders like myself, the history of our nation and how to be successful leaders in the future.
Now, I would like to thank the people who have helped along the way. First, I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for allowing me to go and for giving me tons of encouragement. Next, I would like to thank Stephanie Sanford for being a good friend, helping with funding, and getting my information out to the public. I would also like to thank Jerry Moran for his letter of encouragement. Lastly, I would like to thank all of the people who helped make this possible by giving donations toward the cause.
When I return from my trip, I will be very excited to give presentations to all of the civic clubs and businesseswho donated. If anyone would like to help, donations can be made to the Bria Jones Saving Fund. You can donate at any First National Bank branch. Any amount of contribution would be greatly appreciated.

4TH ANNUAL

ASSISSTIVE TECHNOLGY

RESOURCE FAIR

Vendors include:

*PILR *Taylor Drug *Broadway Home Medical

*NanoPac *Assisstive Technology for Kansans Project

*Kansas Equipment Exchange *KSDS *Families Together

*Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Center *Working Healthy

*Hutch Community College *Vocational Rehabilitation

*Mono Mouse shown by PILR *Video Remote Interpreting

*Look Media *OCCK *KANSAIL *SRS

Date: April 15, 2005

Time: 10:00A.M. – 2:00P.M.

Where: Memorial Hall

101 South Walnut

Hutchinson, Kansas 67501

For more information contact: Roger Frischenmeyer 620-663-3989

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

3/31/05 Hutchinson City Council Candidate Forum

Simple Beauty

By Stephanie Sanford, ILC/TCM

From a distance, the ten-foot fichus tree seemed to take on a life of its own. Teal ribbons literally danced on leaves as people walked by admiring the display. It was a compelling exhibit that seemed to draw people in as they passed.

As I made my way closer to the exhibit, beauty gave way to a very brutal and disturbing reality. The sign placed next to the tree explained the significance of the ribbons and cards hanging from its branches. It read:

“The ribbons on this tree represent 5665 women, men and

children experiencing rape in Kansas in 2003. The stories

reflect the small percentage of those cases actually reported

to law enforcement. Further, rapes account for only a small

number of the total sexual assaults, such as sexual battery

or molestation that Kansans have experienced.”

As members from KCSDV – Kansas Coalition against Sexual and Domestic Violence – explained, each week in Kansas 109 rapes are committed while only 24 are reported to law enforcement. It stood as a stark reminder to advocates and survivors that there was still much work to be done.

“The Ribbon Tree – Remembering Rape” – developed by KCSDV’s Sexual Assault Task Force - was officially unveiled February 10, 2005 during the second annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets Awareness Day and Reception. For those unfamiliar with the event, it is similar to IL Day at the Capitol with an emphasis on ending the oppression of women through violence. The theme this year was “Putting the Spotlight on Sexual Violence” and more than 300 people attended the day’s activities which included displays in the rotunda, visits with legislators, concluding with a reception honoring advocates.

When the day’s events were over, I was left with very conflicting feelings. Most importantly I was inspired by the dedication and commitment of sexual assault and domestic violence advocates as they confront oppression. I was encouraged by the statewide support for crisis services that are accessible to people with disabilities and a continued commitment on the part of KCSDV to include our community. And I was frustrated that, in this day and age, only 1 in 5 individuals felt empowered and safe enough to report a rape to law enforcement.

As I was leaving the Capitol that afternoon, I glanced at the Ribbon Tree and its simple beauty…which didn’t seem quite so simple nor near as beautiful as I had previously thought. It stood now as a powerful reminder that our homes and our streets continue to be dangerous for many Kansans. As long as the ribbons dance alone, it stands as a reminder that our work is not done.

*Below article is a picture of the fichus tree adorned with teal ribbons and cards representing victims of rape in Kansas.

THE OLD BATHROOM AIN’T

WHAT IT USED TO BE

By Candace Anderson Dixon and Chere Jurgens, SA/DVC

For quite awhile, PILR and the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center have been partners- partners in making sure our clients receive optimum service from both agencies. This last year, another merger occurred.

The 2002 Education and Training Grant to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities project, a result of Kansas Coalition against Sexual and Domestic Violence and KACIL teaming up, was initiated to push this partnership statewide. Since a partnership already existed in Hutchinson, not much changed but the impetus of the project made the timing right for a major remodel at SA/DVC’s shelter.