Introducing Johnny

Today we'd like to introduce you to Johnny, who is the newest resident at Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. Johnny and his new housemates gathered late last month to celebrate his birthday. Enjoy the pictures from his celebration, shared with us by Site Supervisor Shannon Bundy.

To learn more about Johnny and how he is using technology, click here or on the YouTube link below to see how he uses an iPad App to overcome communication barriers.

Imagine! Community Forum Set For Tuesday, March 31

You Are Invited to the Annual Imagine! Community Forum 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015 from 5:45-6:45 PM
 Aspen Family Services450 Courtney Way,
Lafayette, CO, 80026 

Do you have questions, concerns, or ideas about Imagine!? Then join us for our Annual Community Forum on Tuesday, March 31. Representatives from Imagine!’s staff and Board of Directors will be on hand to answer questions and receive input from families and local community members. Join us in person or by phone! Topics to be discussed include:

• The State of the State 
• Ending Waitlists in Colorado/Growth at Imagine! 
• Community Capacity Issues 
• Conflict Free Case Management and its Implications 

To attend in person: R.S.V.P. @ (303) 665-7789 To attend by phone: 1-877-668-4490 Access code: 573 659 219 (while listening in, you can view the slideshow presentation at http://imaginecolorado.org/online-multimedia-events)

To email your questions/comments in advance: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ImagineForum2015

Out & About Center Stage/Creative Expressions Classes to Create Theatre Magic

This year marks the fifth Anniversary for Imagine!’s Out & About’s Centre Stage program. In this program, participants start with brainstorming plot and character ideas in December. The last Friday in February showcases their original creation and shares all participants’ talents and contributions with the public. This year, Centre Stage is directed by Kristel Jelinek Brown, program director at Parlando School for the Arts. “This group is full of such dynamic energy and ideas,” said Kristel. “It is my favorite part about any artistic process, finding out what excites the group then collaborating as a team to make it all work together!” Kristel brings extensive experience and very high energy to each rehearsal, inspiring participants to reach past their comfort zone and act with confidence.

This year, Out & About’s Catalog program designed its Creative Expressions class to aid the big production by building the set designs and props. Examples of projects completed include: spray painting aspen trees, creating an Aspen City Limits sign, cutting out and painting a party bus alien space craft using cardboard, and designing a Maroon Bells landscape as a back drop. The neat thing about this Creative Expressions class is that the participant’s work will be seen by a large audience. They may not appear on stage, but are still “in the play” as their hard work contributes to the big show. “Everyone makes a contribution and it is wonderful to see everyone's creative juices flowing,” said Alexa Trujillo, Out & About instructor.

 

The annual performance took place on Friday, February 27, and was a giant success! As you can see below, all actors and actresses were glowing with confidence and self-satisfaction. Family members, friends, and even Out & About Friday Night Out participants filled the Broomfield Auditorium with laughter, cheers, and wonderful support. It was a great way to celebrate five years with this ever growing activity. Thank you to all who attended and thank you to the participants for an amazing night!

National Survey about Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities, their Support Needs, and their Families

The Sibling Leadership Network is studying the support needs of siblings of individuals with disabilities through a survey called the National Survey about Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities, their Support Needs, and their Families. The purpose of the Sibling Leadership Network is to promote a broad network of siblings who share the experience of disability and people concerned with sibling issues by connecting them to social, emotional, governmental, and provisional supports across the lifespan enabling them to be effective advocates for their brother and sister, and to serve as change agents for themselves and their families. The network is looking for anyone who would like to share their perspectives.

The survey could be completed by any of the following:

• Siblings of people with disabilities;
• People with disabilities;
• Parents of people with disabilities; and
• Professionals working with people with disabilities and their families.

This is an online survey that takes less than 30 minutes to complete and is available in both English and in Spanish.

Click here to visit the survey page.

Spread The Word To End The Word: #Respect

Today is the annual Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Day. The Innovations Advocacy Council would like to remind everyone that "Respect" starts with the words that we use on a daily basis.

The Innovations Advocacy Council understands that it is not always easy to stop using words that have become industry standards, but through the commitment of the people who provide services, the family members, and the individuals in services, a cultural change can occur.

The Power of a Word

Words can hold great power and it is through our words that we can potentially hurt or demean others. The council has created some alternative word choices to use:

• Instead of using “consumer” or “client,” use “individuals with disabilities” or “people with disabilities,” or better yet, refer to our individuals simply as people and/or individuals.

• Instead of using the terminology “high-functioning/low-functioning,” try to explain the parameters of the situation. For example, instead of saying high-functioning, you could say that the person is independent in the community and requires minimal supports. Instead of saying low-functioning, you could say the individual requires additional assistance with daily living tasks.

• Above all else, we should never use the R-Word. While everyone understands that this is an official diagnosis, there are other ways in which to express the diagnosis such as developmental disability or intellectual disability, and plain and simple, this word is offensive regardless if it is used clinically or not.

For further information or to take the pledge, please visit the Spread the Word to End the Word official website at http://www.r-word.org/.

Finding Happieness

Today we’d like to share a great story from our friends at Apostrophe Magazine.

Connie Whitley's book, “Finding Happiness,” is all about finding joy in life. She brought her story to life using an iPad.

Click here to read the story.

Check Out Mandy's Newest Book

Mandy, who lives at Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, has published another book! If you missed picking up a copy for this year's love feast, considering checking out “The Things People Buy for Valentine’s Day” here to get a jump on next year's Cupid Day, and consider supporting this talented writer.