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Newsletter for
May/June 2007
Volume 4 - Issue 4 - Page 2 |
Manufacturing/Maintenance
Matt Schnoebelen
Maintenance
We have a new maintenance man, Mike Erb started June 25, 2007. We
are excited to have Mike working with us, he has a strong
background in construction and all things related. Mike has a
long list of things to get started on and has jumped right in
and things are looking good.
Steel Builders just started on the roof at CHS on Monday June
25th. Hopefully, weather permitting they will be in and out of
there in about a week.
It is about time for it to start getting really hot outside so
bare with us, Mike is going to be getting the swamp coolers
running and we are in the process of getting a swamp cooler
installed down at 1st step.
Manufacturing News
A former assembly
customer has expressed an interest in doing business with us
again so I have done a few time studies on some packaging of
products for them. At this time it appears we may be doing a few
more projects for them in the future.
Our last premiere order was larger than normal with a shorter
timeline. Congratulations to everyone in the Plant for pulling
together and getting the job done on schedule!
Medical Services
Sharon Henderson, RN
Medical Services promotes wellness of body, mind and spirit with
education and positive supports. Medical Services staff includes:
Sharon Henderson, RN; Candra Deschner, Support Staff; and Diane
Ramos, Restorative Aide.
In a follow up to my last newsletter article concerning dementia
and Alzheimer's, I have some new information to add.
I received calls from some parents on the information and I want
them to know that just this last week, Medicare has approved
payment of a test that can show if symptoms are truly
Alzheimer's or just the aging process or dementia. This is the
first test that claims to prove Alzheimer's. It is called a PET
scan and it is a very expensive test but now Medicare will pay
for it. We always want to be careful of just trying to determine
if we notice any symptom as Alzheimer's as it may be due so many
other things. If there is concern we need to consult a
neurologist and ask for the test to know for sure.
There also are many new drugs that should be approved and
available in this next year. So far all we have seen used is
Aricept and Namenda. I will keep you updated as I have
information available.
So far this has been a summer with no serious sunburns or
injury. Our staff are doing a good job of making sure our
clients are safe and protected from sunburns and bug bites and
we appreciate their hard work.
Please call me if you have any questions or concerns.
Residential Services
Shelly Shelton
As I sat down to get my thoughts together to write my article
for the newsletter, it dawned on me that today is the official
start of summer and that we have some clients attending CP camp
this week. Many of you know that folks go during summer, but do
you really know what CP camp is?
The purpose of the camp is to provide a program that allows
folks to enjoy their highest level of functioning and
independence, consistent with their abilities, in a summer camp
setting. The camp or “ranch” is located near Augusta, Ks. It was
founded in 1964. The Cerebral Palsy Ranch has provided many
people with disabilities with their first opportunity to
discover they can get along without mom and dad or their
caregiver. They can compete and win; they can overcome their
fears of many things, make new friends and feel good about
themselves. They focus on each camper’s ability which makes
their disability minimal.
Campers are encouraged to take part in activities adapted to
help them gain confidence and appreciate the value of trying.
With the help of the counselors and volunteers, campers enjoy of
variety of pursuits. Some of the camps activities include
horseback riding, arts and crafts, swimming, fishing, canoeing;
paddle boating, nature study, sports and games, miniature golf,
cookouts, hayrack rides, dramatics, dances and archery. There is
also a wide variety of special events such as talent shows,
dances, karaoke and more.
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The ranch is 151 acres of woods and meadows and includes a 28 acre
lake. The buildings and activity areas are specially designed for
the people with physical disabilities and campers stay in
air-conditioned dorms. Other facilities include a dining hall,
kitchen with storm shelter, a rustic lodge, recreation pavilion,
swimming pool, boat dock, horse and tack area, and playing fields.
Trained counselors and volunteers are there to assist campers as
much or as little as needed. There is a licensed medical provider on
staff to supervise all meds and help with other medical needs. They
have 2 campers per week per counselor/volunteer to give each camper
as much attention as possible.
There are 6 day sessions available to choose from the beginning of
June until the end of August. I have never had anyone attend camp
that did not have a wonderful time. They are full of new experiences
and stories to share when they get home. Everyone likes time away
and this seems to be the thing that many of our folks really enjoy
participating in.
Nina Griggs started as a Triage member on June 3. Before she moved
to southeast Kansas, she had been a Triage member. She comes back
with lots of experience and knowledge. We are glad she has returned.
Advocacy/Training/SHC/CE
Amanda Urban/Jenni Welsch
SHC
Everything is going smooth; in Supportive Home Care we are only a
couple hours a week short so if you know of anybody interested in
supporting someone with independent living skills, let me know. I am
so very happy to report that recently, an individual received a
brand new wheelchair tailored to her needs to enable SHC staff to
support this person out in the community. It is very exciting for
this person to have this opportunity.
Advocacy
The Aktion club visited
the Kansas Gas and Oil museum in May and had a fabulous time. We are
planning to take tours over the summer – getting out into our
community as well as other communities. A couple of officers of the
Aktion Club had lunch with the Kiwanis to welcome the newly charted
Aktion Club from Rosewood.
The advocacy groups are going camping at Kanopolis on July 14th and
are looking forward to this event. We plan on fishing, swimming and
all the other activities camping brings.
The SACK conference is fast approaching, October 21 and 22nd.
Unfortunately, it will cost $100/person to attend plus the cost of
gas. Everyone is saving and everyone is eager to attend. Disability
mentoring day is also in October and we are looking forward to
another successful event.
Community Activities/Community Employment
Several individuals
enjoyed a fishing outing as one of our Saturday activities at Vets
Lake. There was no cost to the individuals. We borrowed fishing
poles for the morning and bait was available with staff and
volunteers there to help anyone who didn’t want to touch the wiggly
worms or slimy fish. The weather was beautiful, we caught eleven
nice fish and will be adding this to our menu of Saturday community
activities.
We have finished another work ethics class; I had five participants
for five weeks. Everyone learned a lot and now have a better grasp
on how the working world operates. We have had several apps go out
but with school being out and kids coming home – it is harder for
everyone doing a job search. “How time flies when you are having fun
and loving your job”, says one individual who recently found
community employment at CKCU. “I have already been working there for
a little over a month, it doesn’t seem that long!” Evaluations have
been sent out and returned and I have popped in from time to time to
see how things are going for him. “We are extremely happy with
Ronnie, we could not ask for a harder working employee.” says Danny
the store manager.
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