See ME. See My Ability

Happy Arc Southern Maryland Anniversary Joyce Allen!

Joyce Allen, a native of southern Maryland, has been with the Arc Southern Maryland for a combined 30 years. Joyce says her mother told her to come back to the Arc after she left after her first five years. Joyce tells podcast host Rita Rich why she is so devoted to her people at the Arc.
This is the first episode of Season Three of the See Me, See My Ability Podcast. 

Meet Mary Atkins-Our Long Time Staff Trainer

Mary's celebrating over 35 years of working at the Arc Southern Maryland. It's more than a job for Mary. Mary says she doesn't have a job. She has a mission. It's not just about the paycheck.  She shares with host Rita Rich her reasons for joining the team and working to improve how others learn to do their jobs.
https://arcsomd.org/its-not-just-a-paycheck/
 
 
 

Getting Ready for the New School Year

Schools out for Summer and teachers and students are worried about forgetting everything they learned last semester. We get some tips from Dr. Emma Cole, Pediatric Neuropsychologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. One of the take-aways from host Rita Rich's conversation: Reading is fundemental.
 
 

Area Arcs Demonstrate Against Cuts to Medicaid

Maryland and Virginia Arcs spoke this past Thursday at the 60-Hour Vigil to Save Medicaid near the Capitol Building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The consensus: It's not too late to save those (now cut)  federal funds that support state and local Medicaid programs. And, all should fight to do so as the effects of the cuts are detrimental to able-bodied persons as well as those in the IDD community.
Host Rita Rich also spoke with Ande Kolp, the executive director of the Arc Maryland; Gray Persons, the President of the Board of Directors of the Arc Virginia. Grey Persons,  who is an advocate for a foundation that provides in home support for adults with IDD who live independently: Hope House; and Greg Snyder, Vice President of Government Relations at Maryland Association of Community Services.
 
#SaveMedicaid #MedicaidVigil #ArcMaryland #TheArcofVA 
 

Special Olympics: Arc SO MD

Welcome to this special episode of See Me, See My Ability, where we shine a spotlight on the incredible athletes of Arc Southern Maryland who recently competed in the Special Olympics! We’re celebrating determination, teamwork, and the power of inclusion as we hear from participants and supporters who made this unforgettable experience possible. From countless practice and training sessions to competition and the friendships built along the way, this episode is all about how competition enriches all our lives.
#specialolympics #eunicekennedyshriver #southernmaryland #inclusion #arc 

Happy Fourth of July! Advocacy is your Patriotic Duty!

A conversation with Tracy Wright, the Deputy  Director of Training, Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, People On the Go, Maryland, with Arc So MD podcast host, Rita Rich.
While we're enjoying the fireworks and the cookouts, remember that educating others about disability rights and the abilities of the IDD community is still a great topic of discussion on American Independence Day.  
Photos: Tracy Wright and People on The Go Maryland.
https://www.pogmd.org/anti-fascism-training
https://www.pogmd.org/
https://arcsomd.org/ 

Horses Know Us Best: Visit to Greenwell Foundation in Hollywood, Maryland

Communications skills, or using one's voice, adaptive technology, mobile apps, and the written word, have been emphasized in recent See Me, See My Ability Podcasts.This episode, Horses Know Us Best, a visit to the Greenwell Foundation in Hollywood, Maryland, is all about horses' magical abilities to know what we want and need without using any sounds. For many in the IDD community, this is a godsend. The director of Equestrian programs at the Greenwell Foundation Melisa Kennedy, explains what makes the human/horse relationship special and beneficial.
 
Photo credits:
Photos of Belle in Episode Art, Melisa Kennedy
Photo of Ms. Kennedy, Danielle Barber
Greenwell Foundation on Facebook.
#IDD #Equestriaan #Therapy #Horses 
Mr. Ed Theme, used for educational purposes.
#arcsomd.org #nonprofit

Getting to Know More About ImpAACt Voices

Meet advocates and Arc allies, Lance McLemore is a member of ImpAACt Voices’ Board of Directors, and ImpAACt Voices volunteer and advocate Chris Klein, who recently authored a book titled My Big Toe: A Story of Perseverance. There's a reason why ImpAACt is spelled with two letter A's in the middle, as well as a capital C. Those A's stand for Augmentative Alternative and the "C" stands for Communication-such as devices and technology. Both of our guests have physical disabilities that affect their ability to speak, and they have plenty to say about their community of AAC users.  Click here to learn more about ImpAACt Voices. Much thanks to the President and the operations manager of ImpAACt voices, Jessica Ingle, for helping to set up our special Zoom session.
 
#listen
#impaactvoices
#Educate
#Advocate
#patience
 

More Dating Advice with Chris and Tracey and Our Ability Cab

There's nothing that puts the brakes on your social life like not having some wheels at your disposal. But, the participants of Arc Southern Maryland, thanks to generous grants from The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) and the Maryland Department of Aging, have wheels. It's called the Ability Cab. Two St. Mary's County residents are in love and have grown their relationship thanks to the Ability Cab. You have to reserve it in advance.  Listen to how this pair says it's been an important part of their time together and how they'll continue to use it.
Meet 29-year-old Christopher Reed and 38-year-old Tracey Norris.
Contact Renee Seigley at the Arc Southern Maryland for more information about using the Ability Cab.
Thank you for your gifts and grants to the Arc Southern Maryland.  We put your dollars to work to keep our people engaged and involved in communities. 
 

Free Dating Advice!

The IDD community loves to be social and together. But, sometimes those with intellectual or developmental disabilities have problems picking up on when people are flirting with them, or want to have a conversation with them, or just want to hang out. If you’ve ever watched programs on cable TV featuring those on the Spectrum, you’ll be interested in this podcast. It’s about the people who advise that show, and train hundreds the skills they need to get conversations, and hopefully, friendships started with others. Our guest is, Elina Veytsman, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and the Director of Clinical Services UCLA PEERS Clinic.
Find out more here.