People who support persons with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), are adaptable, flexible, committed, and capable of stretching in their capacity in many ways. These characteristics come together to provide care for people with needs in the form of a caregiver. First Lady…
Continue ReadingLIFEPlan member and self-advocate on the Member & Family Advisory Council, Brendan Klein, 25, has turned his love for film-making and social media into opportunities for hundreds of other young adults with disabilities to make friends, share their experiences and…
Continue ReadingI’m sure this is a pretty universal experience when living with a disability. You enter a room and most of the eyes in the room focus on you. Maybe it’s just a glance. But hey, is that person staring at…
Continue ReadingFor LIFEPlan member Spencer Blevins, challenges are part of everyday life. Spenser is a young man on the Autism Spectrum but that has not stopped him from doing what he loves. Spencer was struggling in school. Like many who have autism, he needed support learning how to respond to different social situations. In a homeschool…
Continue ReadingLIFEPlan Member and Hudson Valley Regional Liaison Stacy Mason shares the story of her family journey with a seizure disorder. In my 16 years working as a Social Worker and Parent Trainer with special needs families, I had worked with many families whose…
Continue ReadingOver the past five months the COVID-19 pandemic has given us plenty to complain about, but LIFEPlan Care Manager Melissa Imm chose to look at things differently, saying, “I am finding the silver lining in every single day and I’m staying positive.” Melissa only had…
Continue ReadingSometimes the job of a Care Manager presents extraordinary opportunities to improve the lives of not only people we support but extends to peers and others alike. Such is the case with Abigail Remington, and the member she works with, Ed Duryea. Ed is…
Continue ReadingThe National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (also known as “The Motor Voter Act”) made it easier for all Americans, regardless of ability, to exercise their fundamental right to vote. The Motor Voter Act requires all offices of State-funded programs…
Continue ReadingIf you are a pet owner, you know what a huge role pets play in our lives. Pets are a great source of unconditional love, emotional support and many happy memories. In return we provide them with food, security and of course, love and companionship. The companionship between pet…
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