Writing the Book She Needed LIFEPlan member and Columbia County resident Samantha has wanted to be a children’s book author her whole life. Talking about her disability started at a very young age, especially when she got her first wheelchair at age 5. Samantha’s mom thought using…
Continue ReadingAriel Turns his Hardships into Motivation Ariel is a creative, passionate, and sensitive twenty something young man. He has been a Hudson Valley LIFEPlan member since 2018. He is also an advocate for children and others and is using his…
Continue ReadingSinger Shares Courage, Determination, and Inspiration When LIFEPlan Member Jordyn was 16 years old, she began writing songs with the melodies in her head. Over the next years, she wrote nine songs. In 2017, Jordyn began to record her…
Continue ReadingAn Inspiring Story Growing up, LIFEPlan member Megan Minnick and her sister Kate cherished their sibling relationship. The two spent a lot of time together doing the things sisters do. When they grew up, Kate married and established a home…
Continue ReadingMental Health Awareness Month: Coping with COVID So many things appear different, feel different, and so many things are simply different. Since the start of the pandemic, many have felt uncertainty and faced challenge after challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has…
Continue ReadingCOVID Brings Benefits and Opportunities COVID-19 has created several benefits opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These include educational opportunities, SNAP and Broadband benefits, and the American Rescue Plan. Learn more about each below. Education Do you have…
Continue ReadingTalking to Your Child About Autism They say that what you say to your kids when they are little becomes their inner voice when they are older. The message I hope to convey to my daughter is that your differences…
Continue ReadingChoosing Success | Choosing Self Direction Mike is a LIFEPlan member from Hamilton, NY who has Self Direction services that give him access to many different aspects of life that he might otherwise not have. What is Self Direction? Self…
Continue ReadingMembers Go the Extra Mile to Advocate for their Services LIFEPlan members depend on Care Management Services funded through OPWDD. Now, OPWDD is planning to cut another 23% from the CCOs’ budget after a 16% cut in late 2020. In just…
Continue ReadingLIFEPlan member Ian Singer Ian Singer has been a LIFEPlan member for 2 years. Ian is 27 years old and works at a grocery store in Westchester County. He knows his Care Manager Valerie cares about his needs. Ian says she calls him to see how he’s doing,…
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