Navigating Life as we Know It

Moving out of a family home is one of life's "exciting, sad, happy, and scary" events. There are so many changes that come with having a place of your own. But...there is also growth and independence. There are new things to discover and experience - for parent care providers and for the young adult who is spreading their wings. Todays story is about Will McAllister and his transition to his own apartment and a new i...

We all have two basic needs as human beings.  One is to be authentic, to live our lives in a manner that reflects our true selves.   The other human need is to be accepted within a community.  When these two need conflict, when the community to which we belong does not accept our authentic self, the most common reaction is to "mask" that part of our identity that puts us at risk of being excluded from our association with...

Many people seem to have a "problematic" relationship with sleep.  We take medications to keep us awake...and we take medications to make us sleep.  But sleep...a GOOD night's sleep, is essential to our psychological and physical  health.  Autism is one of those disabilities that can manifest itself in a broad spectrum of sensory issues...and often the ability to sleep through the night is seriously affected.   Most ...

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families often find themselves dealing with complexity and even intentional obfuscation as they navigate the path of Medicaid eligibility and benefits That is why we find it exhilarating when along that path we find individuals with expertise and empathy. I have discovered both those qualities in Marianne Huff. Although Marianne's highest level of...

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry!" is an old and unfortunately true statement. And "best laid plans" often "go awry" for two reasons. 1) poor planning...or no planning, and 2) people don't work collaboratively to create solutions that work for all concerned. Both are a result of human error. And both are avoidable. But we all know that within families and friends differing points...

Voting is a constitutional right for an overwhelming majority of Americans, but the reality is people with disabilities, racial minorities and economically challenged individuals face far more obstacles to voting than most voters.  Unsubstantiated allegations of mass voter fraud were circulated and amplified after the 2020 presidential election and conspiratorial politicians laid plans for another, more devastating voter fraud sche...

In this new book, Tracee offers you the tips she remembers, stories of adversity and success, to document her personal battles with self and others in a position to grant or deny life-saving tools, equipment, and the access to freedom we all hold dear but often take for granted. The author encourages all of us to use the Field Notes daily to meet success and navigate each one of life’s seemingly impossible hurdles. Topics in the bo...

If you set out to climb the Himalayas it would be wise to hire a sherpa. Why, you ask? Because the climb may be treacherous and your mistakes very costly! A sherpa has been on the path many times and knows how to climb to the top with positive results. How much do you want to leave to chance? The same may be said about navigating the challenges and obstacles ever present for people with disabilities. Legal planning, financial plann...

There is a gulf between changing a world and changing THE world, and the difference is the people who help build the steam needed to bring about true and lasting change to the way a society approaches a topic.

Earlier this season we discussed the life and advocacy of Bill Rush and some of the people around him on his quest for a life on his terms. We had a chance in the followup to talk with a contemporary of his, John McG...

Affordable, accessible housing, transportation and internet availability are serious issues for people with disabilities in just about every state in the USA.  It is especially problematic in rural areas.  As if these challenges weren't enough, the crew of the Disability Resource Network in Huntsville Alabama opened for business during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  For some, quarantine and social distancing would h...

Imagine engaging an architect to create plans for the perfect house to fill all your needs.... You are excited about turning this dream into a reality…but then discovering there is no one to do the excavation for the foundation. Also, there is only one carpenter to work on the frame...and that craftsman can only work 12 hours a week on your project. There is a shortage of plumbers...so you will have to make do with an outhouse unti...

Episode 3 - Life together and Changing the World

Most movements for social change are identified with a few prominent and well-known leaders.  For instance, people like Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy, among others, are associated with the Civil Rights movement in the USA. Nelson Mandela is a name synonymous with the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.  The truth is…these individuals provided a v...

Episode 2 - Love and the Audacity of Change 

Most movements for social change are identified with a few prominent and well-known leaders.  For instance, people like Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy, among others, are associated with the Civil Rights movement in the USA. Nelson Mandela is a name synonymous with the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.  The truth is…these individuals provided a voice...

Family, Faith, and the Seed of Self Advocacy

Most movements for social change are identified with a few prominent and well-known leaders.  For instance, people like Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy, among others, are associated with the Civil Rights movement in the USA. Nelson Mandela is a name synonymous with the abolition of apartheid in South Africa.  The truth is…these individuals provided a voice...

It is not ever comfortable discussion what happens after someone dies. But when it comes to the death of care providing parents conversations need to happen and plans must be made. Legal, financial and Medicaid Planning are important, of course, but living a full life is more than providing these core necessities.  Life as we know it (and aspire to live it) includes meaning, purpose, identity and being “seen” by the members of your...

When you have a child with a developmental or intellectual disability your life gets complex.  Often it becomes overwhelming.  Navigating a path to find the right resources is essential.  Today's episode is about two Medicaid Waivers that provide valuable supports, The Michigan Waiver for Children and  the Michigan Waiver for Children with Serious Emotional Disorders (SED).  We also cover the basics of Michigan's Children...

Imagine yourself on a vacation to a country where your native language is not spoken. Let's say Portugal. You do not know how to speak or read Portuguese, but you are given a map to help you get around.... but the map (of course) is printed in Portuguese. You can see the roads and have a vague idea of where you are going, but the map does not tell you what the BEST route is. And you won't know what lies between your curre...

Our show today is “The Different Flavors of Medicaid Waivers” …. but you are also going to hear a lot of discussion about person-centered-planning (PCP) and the proper use of two assessment tools associated with person centered planning process... the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) and the Psycho-Social Assessment (PSA). Why??  Because assessment tools, person-centered plan and Medicaid Waivers all work together for benefit of the ...

Growing up can be hard. Especially the teenage years. And even more so if the teenager in question has social skill deficits. As humans we are all "hard wired" for relationships with other humans. Individuals living with autism often want to develop skills necessary to make and keep friends. They need to learn the skills necessary to navigate various social situations in which they may not feel comfortable. And they also ...