Newsletter for April 2006 Volume 3 - Issue 4 - Page 1

Director's Notes
Ladeska (Decky) Makings
As you will note throughout this newsletter spring has been busy with multiple tours. We have provided information and tours to families, students, insurance risk assessment specialists, work comp reviewers, and a few dozen recycling professionals and KDHE personnel from across the state. Without exception the responses were extremely complimentary. The variety of jobs available and the 'real world' work environment at our manufacturing facilities usually astound people. Many people who work in or are familiar with the DD service system are even more surprised by the level of professionalism they see among the people we serve. It's a real pleasure to show people around - our employment and therapy facilities look great, our two group homes are always clean and homey as can be (and if I time tours right there are wonderful cooking smells wafting throughout), staff are friendly and helpful, and the accomplishments of the folks we work for are so impressive. Makes me really proud to work with such great people.

Every time I do a tour I am asked how we are able to help individuals accomplish so much that no one would have thought possible. People who are actually working hard, managing their disability related behavioral tendencies, performing seemingly impossible tasks and, most importantly, demonstrating real adult responsibility. The explanation is two seemingly simple premises upon which we strive to base all services. The application of those principles can be a very time-consuming and complicated process but the value is demonstrated every day around here. I'm asked so often that over the next few months I'll be describing some of the methods we have learned to use together for the achievement of ever-higher levels of success.

Expectations: We learn in Psychology 101 that we behave as we are expected to behave. Seems simple but it becomes obvious to all of us as at an early age that "expect the best- get the best" isn't really as easy to accomplish as it sounds. If applied consistently this simple idea can have profoundly positive results. For individuals whose lives have been populated by a professional and public society that severely underestimates their abilities it can take long periods of intense and consistent application by their support teams. The gradually emerging result is people with disabilities who no longer believe that typical variations of meek compliance or behavioral outbursts are necessary to get what they need and want. We see folks who have come to believe in their own worth, know their rights and how to ensure (demand) them, understand that they are the customers and the system should work for them, are less vulnerable to manipulation, are more comfortable in their communities, are proudly productive and self-sufficient requiring only the natural reinforcements and consequences in life for validation - people who have been consistently expected to be responsible adults have become just that.
                    Next month- Independence and Control

We hope you will come to the Expo on April 23rd to join us for our first Sunflower Roundup! Its looking like a great day of fun for everyone- horse shows for young and old, barrel races, information and demonstrations about birds, walking/running/riding for all. The fun starts at 10:00 and lasts until 6:00 or whenever we finish- food available all day, tee-shirts, prizes.... Look forward to seeing you all there!!