Goodbye to our dear friend.

By Teresa Barnes, Supported Living Coordinator

April 28^th 2013 marked the date of the passing of a great friend.  I suppose- being in the line of work that we are- “friend” is a bit of a boundary crossing.  I cannot seem to help it though as I closely guard that feeling of “friend”.  And Tracy Sawyer was just that- he wasn’t merely a client but a very good friend. 

He touched the lives of just about everybody he ever met.  From doctors that became like family, to the Direct Support Professionals here at The Arc that helped Tracy to live out his dreams, to myself, the coordinator that had the privilege and honor of being there for his last breath. Tracy, just living was a miracle in every sense of the word.

A story I like to tell that sums up Tracy best is one that took place not long ago.  He had just been transferred up to the ICU unit after an emergency surgery.  I was there as he was being wheeled into his room, and I was holding his hand.  He was in such a tremendous amount of pain and I was encouraging him to squeeze my hand, to help him get through it.  As I was telling the doctors to please give him something to allow for a moment of relief, he looked at me and said “ Are you okay, T?”

“Are you okay?” In the midst of extreme pain and circumstance he looked outside of himself to make sure I was alright.  That was Tracy.  That was the man I had come to know and admire.  He has taught all of us who knew him humility.  Not just humility, but humanity.  Tracy leaves this world having left his mark for sure.  He left this world a little better then when he came into it.  It’s amazing, how our “clients” teach us more then we teach them, and ultimately give more of themselves then we could ever think to give of ourselves.

What an amazing man to know, an amazing life to be just a small part of. Goodbye, Tracy.

You’re Invited to Achieve Momentum at The Arc’s National Convention

Via The Arc of The United States 

What does it take to achieve momentum in your life, in your work, and in the movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? 

Join The Arc for a National Convention filled with innovative ways to help you do just that – new information, new programs, new technol­ogy, and new ways for you to keep moving forward toward your goals! Register now to attend the premiere event for the intellectual and developmental disability movement in Bellevue, Washington August 3-5 and join hundreds of other individuals, families, advocates, experts and professionals in the field for three days of informative sessions, unique events and opportunities to connect. Here are just a few reasons to make your reservations now:

• Cutting-edge technology demonstrations – discover the latest technology innovations from organizations like Verizon, Microsoft and more – and examples of creative ways chapters of The Arc are using assistive technology.
• Dozens of sessions focused on supporting self-advocacy, cultural diversity, building our grassroots network, using technol­ogy and innovations in family support.
• A vibrant Marketplace with goods and services catering to you including The Arc Store and  Entrepreneur Alley which spotlights microbusinesses run by individuals with I/DD.
• Meet-and-greet events just for self-advocates and siblings hosted by The Arc’s National Council of Self Advocates and National Sibling Council.
• Red Hot on the Red Carpet and The Arc & Sprout National Film Festival – we’re bringing back a crowd favorite from 2012 and rolling out the red carpet again as a lead in to our always popular film festival featuring shorts for, by and about people with I/DD.
• A Night of Laughter and Dance: an opening night event from our local host with live entertainment from Jet City Improv and two local bands with self-advocate musicians.

And, if you book before July 5, you can take advantage of registration discounts and special room rates at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. See you there!

Empower Yourself, Empower Someone Else

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month:

Twenty-six years ago we successfully advocated for March to be declared National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan. And, there is no doubt that we have made tremendous strides to promote and protect the rights of people with I/DD to live, learn, work and play as valued and contributing members of their communities, the real strength of our message comes straight from the individuals we serve. No matter how effective our organization’s advocacy efforts may be, no one is as powerful an advocate for people with I/DD as a person with I/DD. 

So, this year during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, The Arc would like to empower all individuals with I/DD to appoint themselves as their own advocates. Becoming a self-advocate simply means protecting one’s own self-interests — demanding re­spect, reaching out for the services and supports needed to fully participate, and simply making others aware of what it means to be a person with I/DD. When you empower yourself in this way, you can then empower others to join in the cause with you.

All month, we’ll be working to raise awareness about the issues important to people with I/DD. As a self-advocate, you can help us “turn up the volume.”  Take this opportunity to empower yourself and empower someone else with some of these simple suggestions:

• Ask everyone you meet: “Did you know that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month?” This could spark a conversation – a teachable moment – when you can share your experience living with a disability with someone else.

• Consider attending The Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. in April. Each year  two days are spent covering current public policy in depth to prepare you for a third day on Capitol Hill actually meeting with your Members of Congress and discussing the issues.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to chime in when you have something to say.

• And help us raise awareness about what’s important to the I/DD community and why. Read these suggestions for getting the word out.

Board Member Spotlight: Steve Ferreira

This story was written by Kristiano George at the Bellevue College Watchdog, Steve’s school newspaper. We thank the Watchdog for allowing us to share this story of a great board member and an overall great person involved at The Arc of King County. Enjoy! 

Liberty High School graduate and award winning athlete Steve Ferreira is actively involved in the athletic scene in Seattle. The 24-year old was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was three months old and has had to use  a wheelchair ever since. 

Ferreira is an athlete with a bag full of accomplishments. “I started [playing] sports when I was about five. I started to play baseball then I moved on to different organizations and I played basketball with Seattle Adaptive Sports then I played rugby with Seattle Slam and my main sport right now is track and fields,” said Ferreira

Ferreira trains at Bellevue College’s gym as well as another gym outside the college. According to Ferreira, Thornton Perry and Bill Burns are BC staff who help him to train. Ferreira said that Coach Burns helps him with techniques, strength and endurance to help him perform better during the competition season.

A New Year and New Beginnings for Heather and Joe, Community Living Grant Recipients

The Arc of King County is one of three chapters of The Arc that particpates in the Foundation for the Challenged grant program, which was established in 2006 to provide support dollars for lifestyle necessities to individuals with developmental disabilities. Heather and Joe are just some of the many recipients who received grant funding in November 2012. Here is their story: 

Heather and Joe met a couple of years ago in a local recreational group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It wasn’t long before the two discovered they had much in common, like taking pictures and making videos, and they began to hang out more frequently. Their friendship soon blossomed into love and Heather and Joe became engaged in the winter of 2011.

Having committed to each other as life partners last summer, the only thing left in their love story was to move in together and enjoy the rest of their lives. The only problem was finding affordable, accessible housing in the city, as the two lived on the outskirts of King County and away from easy public transportation.

That’s where The Arc stepped in. In a search to find support, Heather found The Arc of King County’s website and the Community Living Grant application. Heather and Joe applied to receive Community Living Grant funding to put a down payment on their first apartment together as a couple. Thanks to The Arc, the couple was able to receive this funding. Since January 2013, Heather and Joe have been happily living together in their apartment in the city, fully enjoying being in each other’s lives.

Community Living Grant applications are still open until February 1, 2013! To apply for grant assistance like Heather and Joe, follow this link. 

“Home Sweet Home”

The feelings attached to these words are as unique as the person hearing them. Generally though, there is agreement that the word “home” stirs feelings of warmth,
welcome, and a sense of belonging in addition to a place of shelter where needs are met in a caring environment versus the word “house” – a physical place of residence providing shelter.

It was with some of these thoughts that I ventured out to visit two of Washington State’s Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC’s) at Fircrest in Shoreline and Rainier in Buckley. Having heard arguments on both sides of the debate – for and against consolidation and closure of these facilities, I wanted to see for myself and form my own opinion. “Are these institutions really homes where people live? Or are they houses where residents are placed with their basic needs met?”

Photos of Employment: Colin

At the 2012 Forum, everyone got to take a peek at our great photo series on employment. Representative Ross Hunter donated his time and energy to The Arc for this very special photo series showcasing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workplace.

Colin Silvestri 

VA Puget Sound – Seattle 

Colin graduated from New Horizon School in Renton in 2000. In his senior year, he began transitioning to a part-time work program at the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Hospital in Seattle. Colin is now a valuable worker in the rehab department. He’s been there four days a week for 12 years!

Colin assists in therapy by taking patients, many in wheelchairs, to their specific rehab appointments. He had to learn his way around the VA hospital, a very big challenge. The VA staff has been very supportive of him. Colin’s supervisor Bill Staab calls him a “valuable asset” and says that Colin works so hard that “we think he sleeps with his badge on.” Another supervisor, Herman, states, “Colin is a nice young man with a good sense of humor…who is really appreciated on the 1 East Rehab Unit.” His boss, Ms. Kennie, says, “Veterans always ask about him whenever he is off.” Colin loves his job and it shows in the appreciation from his supervisors and coworkers. 

Colin is also a downhill ski racer on the Skihawks, a team with the Special Olympics. Besides skiing with his team, he has skied in many amazing spots like Whistler (BC), Tahoe (CA), and Bend (OR). He has also participated in the Special Olympics track team. Colin is also an active member of Boy Scout Troop #419, a troop for Scouts with special needs, led by Dr. Ted Kadet.

Photos of Employment: Aaron

At the 2012 Forum, everyone got to take a peek at our great photo series on employment. Representative Ross Hunter donated his time and energy to The Arc for this very special photo series showcasing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workplace.

Aaron Witek 

McDonald’s Book Exchange

Aaron is 23 years old and graduated in 2010 from Eastlake High School. He is a happy and kind guy who loves to be around people and to give back to his community. Aaron volunteers at the HopeLink food bank in Bellevue one day a week. He also enjoys bowling, hiking and being outdoors.

In his sophomore year of high school, Aaron and his family moved from Texas and found a great school for him at Eastlake High School. When he turned 18, he moved to the Transition Academy in Lake Washington School District. His experience there helped him to grow and find a good job after graduation.

Since August 2010, Aaron has worked at McDonald’s Book Exchange and he loves his job. His job includes cleaning machines, putting out signage, vacuuming, straightening books, and more. He likes that he is contributing to his community through his job and that he gets to do something to help people. His employers really appreciate Aaron’s work and have given him a raise. Whenever Aaron talks about his job, he smiles and is proud of what he does.

Photos of Employment: Matt

At the 2012 Forum, everyone got to take a peek at our great photo series on employment. Representative Ross Hunter donated his time and energy to The Arc for this very special photo series showcasing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workplace.

Matt Yee 

Seattle Mariners 

Matthew Yee has worked for the Seattle Mariners since 1999 when the team was still at the Kingdome. Back then, his position was called a “Domer.” When they moved to Safeco Field, Matthew’s position became a “Fielder.” One of the responsibilities of a “Fielder” is to pass out giveaways at the gates when fans come to the ball park.

Matt’s favorite part of his job is seeing friends who also work there and seeing people he knows coming through the gates.  Several years ago Matthew was inducted into the “Fielder Hall of Fame.” Matt has an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball and can tell you just about anything you want to know about the sport. He can often be found watching the trade news on mlb.com.

In his spare time, Matthew enjoys traveling and cooking. He also plays on several Special Olympics teams with his friends. He has quite a collection of medals!

Photos of Employment: Sabra

At the 2012 Forum, everyone got to take a peek at our great photo series on employment. Representative Ross Hunter donated his time and energy to The Arc for this very special photo series showcasing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workplace.

Sabra Quraishi 

Auburn School District

My name is Sabra Quraishi. I have worked for the Auburn School District for the past 13 years. I assist in kindergarten as a classroom paraprofessional.

I also have a role as a recess paraprofessional. For the past three years, I have been running our mileage program where we encourage the students to get exercise.  Our goal as a school is to walk 1,200 miles, the distance from Auburn to Disneyland.  As of the end of October, we have walked 110 miles.

Outside of work I like to shop, go to country music concerts, and cook with the assistance of my dad.  Every year on the Father’s Day weekend, I go with my family to Anacortes to join in the fun with the Father’s Network in which my dad has been involved for over 20 years. I sometimes go to the meetings to spend time with him. Every September, the Father’s Network has a kick-off breakfast at which my dad is the designated chef and I go to assist him as much as I can.

I would like to thank The Arc of King County and Representative Ross Hunter for the opportunity to be a part of this project.