FREED PRESS FREED CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING FREED Center for Independent Living Serving people with disabilities in Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter and Colusa Counties A disability resource center for people of all ages www.freed.org Grass Valley: 272-1732 Marysville: 742-4474 INSIDE Grass Valley: Peer Support 2 Fix it Volunteer, Al Frisch. 3 Marysville : Welcomes New Staff 4 Peer Support 4 Assistive Technology 7 Disability Action Coalition 8 BEAT 9 Thanks to Donors 5,6 Support FREED 9 Spring Issue 2007 From The Director, Ann Guerra…….. Dear Friends, Several years ago I began having odd physical symptoms that created a sense of insecurity as I couldn’t be certain that my legs would take me where I needed to go, my arms would respond to my wishes or even my speech would reflect what I planned to say. I was fortunate to learn relatively quickly that I had multiple sclerosis (MS). I learned it was variable and unpredictable which means it behaves differently and affects each of us who lives with it differently. Living with MS could be simply frustrating and scary, but I was fortunate to have friends with different disabilities who were happy to share with me their strategies for dealing with everything from talking to doctors, to parenting with a disability, to maximizing and managing energy by setting priorities that supported my goals. Support from my peers remains essential to me as I enter new phases of my life each requiring flexibility and adjustment. Centers for independent living, like FREED, offer peer support as a service because although people with disabilities represent about 20% of the population as a whole, we may not have someone in our family, job or other circumstance who is experiencing similar disability issues with whom to share our feelings. In this issue, we present a variety of ways to meet with peers or just get involved in improving accessibility by serving as an advocate or home repair volunteer. You may be the role model someone else is looking for! In Nevada County, www.dial211.com is now an operational website providing a wide range of information about programs and services. Check it out, and remember to travel to FREED’s website, www.freed.org while you’re at it. For advocacy information and involvement, www.cfilc.org is a good place to connect. Inside you’ll also meet Mike Scott who is coordinating FREED’s new Fix-It Program in Marysville. This program serves Yuba and Sutter County seniors with their minor home repair and modification needs, as well as serving people with disabilities under 60 in Yuba City. Installation of grab bars, flashing doorbells or smoke alarms, threshold ramps and more are accomplished through this program. As the weather warms up, it is important to plan to keep cool and hydrated. Mike Scott in Marysville and Melissa Blackwell in Grass Valley are available to help you plan to avoid overheating. Wishing you a good Spring-time, ~ Ann Guerra, Executive Director Grass Valley FREED Office, serving Nevada and Sierra Counties Peer Support Opportunities Women’s Cross Disability Support Group FREED is starting a new support group for women with disabilities. I want to take this opportunity to invite you to join me in creating this dynamic group! Do you ever feel the need to talk to someone about your disability, but your friends and family just “don’t get it”? Join us to just listen, get questions answered or answer questions and meet some great people who know what your life is all about because they, too, are living with a disability! We will be a group of women with a variety of disabilities who will come together to form friendships, get support and encouragement, learn from each other and have a laugh or two! The first meeting will be held on Monday, April 16th at 1:00 pm. We will meet at FREED, 900 E. Main Street, Suite #201 in Grass Valley. If this interests you, call me. Do you have questions? Call me. Want to come but are shy or unsure and need encouragement? Call me! Call Pam at 272-1732 ext. 208, pam@freed.org ~ submitted by Pam Matteson, Project Manager Social Group The philosopher John Donne once said “no man is an island . . . every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." Indeed we are all connected. Human Beings are social by nature and need healthy relationships to lead fulfilling lives. However, in today’s fast-paced world it can be challenging to find the time to build and maintain social ties. So last spring a FREED consumer started up the Social Group. It is open to anyone with a disability who wants to participate in group activities. The focus has been planning events like going to see a movie, taking a hike, having a picnic, or going out to lunch. The events provide an opportunity for participants to get acquainted and develop friendships with their peers, people who often share similar experiences. By actively participating in the community, people with disabilities also help break down social barriers and raise awareness of their presence in the community and the need to increase accessibility. The Social Group is still taking shape and welcomes anyone interested in planning and attending events. Some possibilities for future events include a trip to the South Yuba Independence Trail and the 3rd Annual No Barriers Festival. A free movie is scheduled for the end of March at the Grass Valley FREED office. So, if the Social Group sounds interesting to you, call FREED and ask for Tim. I would be glad to discuss it with you. Call Tim at 272-1732, ext. 209 timh@freed.org ~ submitted by Tim Hughes, Independent Living Specialist Peer Support Group Resources—Grass Valley Area ECHO-A Hearing Impaired Support Group—every 3rd Friday at FREED. For information, call 265-2265 or 477-8408 via relay 711 Social Group — Call Tim at FREED, 272-1732 for details Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, every other Monday. Call Pam at FREED, 272-1732 for more information. Women’s Cross Disability Support Group—1st meeting: Monday, April 16th Call Pam at FREED, 272-1732 Healing Through Loss and Grief Group—current session started on Tuesday, March 27th Call 265-3258 for further information. Bipolar and Depression Alliance Support Group, every 2nd Monday Call 274-8400 or 346-2160 and leave a message Spirit Center has many Peer Support Groups for people with mental health issues Call 274-1431 for more information. In Memory of Al Frisch - It is with great sorrow that we report the passing of Al Frisch, Fix-It Volunteer. Al died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, March 10th. It would be difficult to think of Al without thinking off his great dedication to helping his fellow Nevada County residents. He volunteered for several different organizations in the county but we loved him best for his services to the FREED Fix-It Program. He brought his many home repair talents and his sense of humor to the program; both were a great benefit. Al was a most caring and compassionate man. He believed in helping others and we are very grateful for the time he gave to helping FREED consumers stay safely in their homes. I often got calls from people Al had helped, thanking me for sending such a kind, helpful, competent volunteer out to their homes. We express our heartfelt sympathy to Al’s family and friends. ~Submitted by Melissa Blackwell Fix It Program Coordinator Fix-It Volunteers Needed for the Grass Valley Area Volunteers mostly install grab bars, but also tighten handrails, repair steps, put new washers in leaky faucets, fix toilets, built threshold ramps and platforms for chairs. If interested in this opportunity, Call Melissa at 272-1732 Marysville FREED Office, serving Yuba, Sutter & Colusa Counties Meet new Marysville Staff Member—Mike Scott Mike writes: As the newest addition to the FREED family, I am really happy to be part of this winning team. Having retired from the United States Air Force after a 26 year career in 1995 and the American Red Cross as the Director of Disaster Services in 2005, I am so excited to find a new career dedicated to helping people. The first thing I noticed about the job was how gratifying it is to provide our services, even when it is as small as providing a cane or more substantial like replacing steps so people can safely enter their homes. It makes coming to work each day a pleasure! I am a 19 year resident of Yuba City where I live with my wife, Joy and our three Maltese kids (dogs). Joy also retired from the Air Force and now is working with people with disabilities as the assistant director of a local respite service. I have totally enjoyed both working with the FREED staff and the great consumers that we serve. Mike Scott, Marysville Fix It Coordinator & Assistive Technology Advocate Peer Support for People with Hearing Loss The Marysville FREED Office offers peer support for people with hearing loss. Claudia Hollis, the Branch Manager has received her certificate for completing an online course with The American Academy of Hearing Loss Specialists. As a person with hearing loss, Claudia is available to provide peer support, and information including: the impact of hearing loss on communication strategies to improve communication, promoting greater general knowledge to correct misconceptions, promoting hearing aid usage, education on the basic anatomy and function of the ear, how to understand an audiogram, hearing health practices, advocacy and laws as they pertain to people with hearing loss and matching appropriate services to specific needs. Marysville Office Thanks Donors Camelot Gallery in Marysville donated the grand prize of two Southwest Airlines roundtrip tickets for the third annual “This ‘n That of Yuba and Sutter” raffle in October. We are grateful to all our generous donors for the raffle which was a great success. Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox, a professional-grade community baseball team offered free general admission tickets for any Gold Sox game in 2007 at the All Seasons RV Stadium in Marysville to anyone who makes a donation of assistive equipment for the Equipment Recycle Closet or a financial donation to the Marysville FREED office. Go Gold Sox! Look for beautiful note cards created by John Hollis for sale around town. The boxed set of 10 cards with photographs of local scenery and nature sells for $10. John is donating a portion of the proceeds to FREED. Assistive Technology (AT) What Goes Around, Comes Around FREED's AT Equipment Recycling Program FREED consumers benefit from the generosity of our community friends in many ways. One major way is the donation of used items. These include wheelchairs, electric scooters, walkers, shower benches and chairs, portable commodes and more. They become a part of FREED's AT Equipment Recycling Program. In turn, FREED makes them available to those with temporary or permanent disabilities who cannot otherwise purchase such essential items. If you or someone you know needs durable medical items be sure to refer them to FREED's Assistive Technology program coordinator. If you have items in clean and well-maintained condition please consider donating them through FREED for others to have. Due to limited storage we cannot accept all items. In the Grass Valley area, call Jeff Samco at FREED, 272-1732 In the Marysville area, call Mike Scott at FREED, 472-4474 Is That You Calling? Has your phone become more of a frustration as your abilities change? Maybe you cannot see the numbers well enough to reliably dial. Or, perhaps, you need a better way of amplifying the incoming voice or your outgoing voice to help others hear you better. Maybe a family member could dial an emergency phone number or two if there were pictures on the right buttons to press. All these needs and more can be accommodated with the right type of phone. The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) provides different types of phones to those having difficulty using a standard phone. These services are free of charge once a person is certified by a qualifying professional. Californians who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled, blind or low vision, living with cognitive impairments or restricted mobility, are eligible to receive CTAP services. Here is just a partial list of special features on some of the free phones: Large numbers or Braille markings for keys When keys are pressed, numbers are spoken in the ear piece Memory dialing has spoken labels personally recorded by user Specialized volume control for incoming and outgoing voices Additional ringers for other rooms and signal light to augment ringer sound Speakerphone Photo holders for memory-dial buttons Phones operated by remote control or switches Teletype-style phones for those who are deaf. To learn more about the CTAP, call: English: Voice 1-800-806-1191, or TTY 1-800-806-4474 Spanish: Voice 1-800-949-5650, or TTY 1-800-896-7670 Or visit the CTAP website at: http://www.ddtp.org/CTAP Join us for… Disability Capitol Action Day 2007 May 23rd Sacramento, CA People of all disabilities, family members, and supporters UNITE to PUSH BACK the budget cuts and protect our freedom and way of life. Educational Forum March to the Capitol and Rally Visits with your Legislators FREED will have accessible transportation available to Sacramento and lunch will be provided. At Disability Capitol Action Day people with all types of disabilities come together to fight not just for our own personal rights, but disability community rights as well. We come together to, celebrate our rights, united in our common cause, and celebrated our community of disability activism. This year’s 4th Annual Disability Capitol Action Day theme is “Healthcare”. Both the Educational Forum and Capitol Rally will included speakers that address issues regarding access to healthcare, public facilities, voting, housing, benefits and services, transportation, school, and community options. Contact Ana at FREED, 272-1732 for more information. ~ submitted by Ana Acton, Systems Change Advocate Join the BEAT! BEAT (Building Equal Access Today) is a group of Western Nevada County community members that meet monthly at FREED Center for Independent Living. We are people with disabilities, including seniors who are committed to ensuring access to public and private services throughout our community through adherence to disability rights laws and code enforcement through advocacy, education, and action. When: The 1st Friday of every month, 1:30 to 3:30 pm Where: Grass Valley FREED Office For more information contact Ana at FREED: Ana Acton Systems Change Advocate Voice (530)272-1732 TTY (530)272-1764 Email ana@freed.org Other Ways to Support FREED… Did you know that in addition to cash donations, you can support FREED in other ways, such as: Bequests by Will Donation of stock, real estate or other personal property Various types of trusts Contact your accountant, financial planner or attorney to discuss options. Sincere thanks to FREED's 2006 & 2007 Donors: Sustaining Supporters, Friends of FREED, Jail and Bail Donors Sustaining Supporters: Appeal Democrat, Greg Fowler of B & C True Value, Jack Brokaw of Import Auto, Melba Brown, Century 21 Select Associates Council, Brad Croul, Tom Cunningham, Laura Keranen, Medical Benefits Administration, Nevada County Contractors Association, Randi Roberts in honor of her Aunt Jewell, Andy & Kristen Sulonen, Sutter North, US Bank, Yuba County Employees Association. Robyn Martin & Arlo Acton Virginia Ada William & Marilyn Alderfer Lou Altomar Jr. DDS Susan Amick Michael Anderson Nolton & Joy Ashley Ada Atterberry Rob Avery Bonnie Bailey Curtis Bok & Sharon Bailey-Bok Kristin Bailey-Chace Wilma Bailey-Pfeiffer Maryann Baker Mary Barnewitz Virginia Bassett Roselyn Batcheller Damian Bautista Nate Beason Lindy Beatie Joan Bechtel Janene Bello Susan Bergesen Barbara Bernette Melissa Blackwell Durward & Mary Blasing Sharon Boivin Abigail Bok Corol Bok Paul & Kathleen Borlik David Brewer Charles & Mary Brock Jack Brokaw Melba Brown Donna Lee Brown Melvin & Bertha Brown Todd & Nancy Bullock Juanita Buonomo Rita Burns Casey & Linda Burtch Ray Byers Bennett & Donna Cabral Maggie Cammack Wm Price & Candace Diamond Rodolfo Rubio & Cindy Parker Robert & Margaret Clotworthy Marjorie Clum Karen Coldwell Kathleen Coleman R.C. Colgrove, M.D. Ernie & Madeline Colombo Tom & Barbara Cross Virginia Gyrion & Cynthia Pelli Rosa Czimber Sam & Geeta Dardick Rudy & Jeannie Darling William & Mary Deal Florence Decosse Phyllis Dempsey Sara Dickey Charles Dobyns Chris Drake Paul & Lee Duerksen Ursula Dunn Lila Dybe Sandra Fairbanks Michael Fanucchi Marie Antoinette Farley Harold & Betty Finch Norman & Catherine Forste Betty Lee Frost Anna Gallino Myrna Gamble Mike & Barbara Getz Larry & Janice Gies Edith Green Phil & Ann Guerra Thomas Haifley Anthony Halby Blythe Gentry Alyce Hammond Lola Hargens Joyce Hartung Otto & Shirley Haueisen Priscilla Haynes Susan Healy-Harmon Emmett & Mary Lou Henderson Frank Heywood Robert & Marjorie Hilton Claudia Hollis Rick Honey Cynthia Humlick Alvina Ingram Ernest Jackson Paula Jain Don & Lois Jennings W.F. Jenny Mary Jensen Archie & Doris Jessee Marian Jewett Dona Johansen Olivia Johnson Keith & Alice Johnson Mirriam Jones Richard Keene Helen & Patrick Kenneally Rachael Kennedy Lorraine Keppel Jim Kerr Hank Ketels Donald & Sandra Kewman Karen Klayman Katy Kneir LCSW Willy & Barbara Kollmeyer in honor of Robert Bitting Susan & Guthrie Kraut Yvette Liddle Kate & Eldon Luce Mike Mann Fernella Mason Ron & Beverly Mathis Kazuo & Katherine Matsumura Michael McBride Charolotte McDermott Joyce McKay Ed McSweeney Bob Meier Dan Melius Larry & Norma Montna Gabriel Moore Marjie Morris Samuel Newman Dorothea Nudelman Jerome & Paula Orloff Barbara Ortiz Dennis Painter Meg Palley Irene Parker Janet Pelletier Gary Peterson Eugene and Alfreda Plunkett Margitta Precourt Elizabeth Price A. Quintana ZT & Arline Reed Mary Ann Rhoads Terry Ryan Monty, Shawna,Shane Saiu Jerry & Emi Sakai Nancy Saracino Tony Sauer Robert & Bette Sauer Cathryn Savage Jane Sbaffi Marie Shadle Marjorie Shelby Edna Shirley Keely Smith Ronald Stanley Peggu Lumis Dolores Stiles in memory of her sister, Jean Connie Stone Gerald and Betty Stone R.J. Storey Margaret Strausbauch Alison Sweetser Beverly J. Tassone Cornelia Taylor Patrick Thomas Barbara Thompson Mary Ellen Tierney Blanche Toober Ann Truedson Mary Tucker Charles & Odena Vasey Jeree Waller Irita Warner Nancy Washington Robert & Helen Weber Dr. Kenneth Webster Tom & Clare Whiteside in honor of 50th Anniversary of Ed and Pat Lasch Shirley Wieberg Max & Phyllis Williamson Andrew Wright Marian Wyckoff Donald Yamamoto Doug & Kathy at Ace Propane Big O Tires Bernie at G-N-G Rentals Gold Country Automotive L A Homecare Workers Union McCamant & Durrett Architects Nothern Mine Gold Works Prospector's Nursery Reed's Locksmithing Suburban Propane The West Wind WestAmerica Bank-Grass Valley B & C True Value Heartfelt Thanks to Our Raffle Baskets’ Donors & Volunteers Ana Acton Shirley Crisci Teresa Favuzzi Stephanie Guerra Laura Keranen Kate & Eldon Luce Spencer McClay Sandra Reid Bev Tassone Irita Warner WestAmerica Bank Heartfelt Thanks to FREED's Stalwart Volunteers Donald Adee Michael Anderson Shirley Crisci Kirt Freidenfelt Al Frisch Robert Gass Cathy Haines Ed Hall Candice Headlee Ray Hooker Dan Melius Fred Mirch Ruben Nunez Horacio Paras Allen Payne Kim Pearson Bill Rogers John Standridge Bev Tassone Everett Vestal Tom Whiteside Hank Wikstad Michael Wise We make every effort to keep accurate records and apologize for any errors or omissions. Sierra Nevada Community Health Plan HEALTH FAIR May 5th at Nevada Union’s Ali Gym Come access valuable health screenings, information and more. Look for FREED’s booth. Support FREED Yes, I want to help people with disabilities meet their goals of independence, self-reliance and dignity. Enclosed please find my tax-deductible donation of: o$250 o $100 o$50 or $_____ Name:________________________________ Address:_____________________________ _____________________________________ o In memory of: o In honor of: Name:______________________________ Relationship: ________________________ Should we notify someone of this gift? If so, Who? Name: _____________________________ Address:___________________________ ___________________________________ Please make checks payable to: FREED, 900 E. Main St, Suite 201 Grass Valley, CA 95945 FREED Board of Directors Kate Luce - Chair Gabriel Moore- Vice Chair Gary Engelking - Secretary Bev Tassone -Treasurer Christina Billeci Laura Keranen Spencer McClay Jim Perkins Randy Snethen FREED Center for Independent Living Contact Information: Web Site: www.freed.org Grass Valley Office: 900 East Main St, Suite 201, Grass Valley, CA 95945 Voice: 530-272-1732 TTY: 530-272-1764 Fax: 530-272-7793 Ann Guerra, Executive Director Ana Acton, Program Manager Melissa Blackwell, Fix It Coordinator Tim Hughes, Independent Living Specialist Jeff Samco, Assistive Technology Advocate Gary Peterson, Benefits Specialist Pam Matteson, Project Manager Jeannie Darling, Operations Manager Judi Kirkpatrick, Receptionist/Data Entry Irita Warner, Financial Manager Marysville Office: 508 J St., Marysville, CA 95901 Voice & TTY: 530-742-4474 Fax: 530-742-4476 Claudia Hollis, Branch Manager Angie Paras, Administrative Assistant Mike Scott, Assistive Technology Advocate & Fix It Program Coordinator Gina Yang, Independent Living Specialist FREED provides alternate formats and communication assistance upon request to ensure that all services, programs and materials are available to everyone. To receive this newsletter in an alternate format contact the FREED Office. FREED Center for Independent Living 900 East Main St, Suite 201 Grass Valley, CA 95945 The FREED Press is published by FREED Center for Independent Living, 900 East Main St., Suite 201, Grass Valley, CA 95945 Editing: Jeannie Darling Layout: Jeannie Darling