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 ReadingTips for Self Advocates People with disabilities, like so many of us right now, are struggling with how and what to do as the world opens up. There is so much uncertainty. In a recent dialog with self-advocates, people shared concerns about how to safely resume the many aspects of becoming involved…
Continue ReadingThe Person-Centered Planning Process Care Managers assist with a person-centered planning process to document how and where someone wants to live. This leads to securing services that help that person move toward a life of meaning and productivity. To access…
Continue ReadingLIFEPlan Proud Celebrating diversity and identity is at the core of the work we do at LIFEPlan. Person-centered is not only a priority for our members. It is also one we strive to understand and value in our staff. In…
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 ReadingWhere can I live? A wide range of residential opportunities are available for adult children with IDD. Many of these children still live at home. A recent survey of the LIFEPlan MFA Council indicated that a 50/50 split in those…
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 ReadingTips for Dating Success by Kathy O’Connell, Founder of Radiant Abilities, LIFEPlan Guest Blogger Are you feeling like nothing is changing in your dating life? Prospects not working out? Maybe you have begun to give up on that elusive dream of finding someone that’s…
Continue ReadingWe need your help to advocate! We have an urgent need for your participation in an unprecedented advocacy opportunity. As you may know, the American Rescue Plan FMAP funding guidance from CMS (Medicaid) and a request from OPWDD for testimonials regarding their Five-Year State Plan were both recently made public. While…
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