May/June 2018 Newsletter

LET GO… Written by Holly Peterson   Transition is so many things to so many people. There are a multitude of issues revolving around transition also.  I meet with families as a part of my job and probably 75% of those I talk to have concerns about their child turning 18 and what they should know. Often they come after the fact and need ideas for planning for the future.     There are so many things surrounding this time in individual’s lives. Many parents feel that the first thing they need to do is to establish guardianship, and I have to say that is what I thought 8 years ago when I went through this for my own daughter. At the time it seemed that guardianship was the only option—but over the years I have come to realize that it can feel quite “restrictive”. My thought at the time (and still) was that I needed to help to protect her and assist her.  Since she is nonverbal I thought that having guardianship was essential to see her Dr’s, pay her bills, and seek assistance for her in most anything—be her voice!  I would never use that to restrict her self-worth.     With more years of experience under my belt, I have come to realize that with a Power of Attorney (POA), Payee and Medical Power of Attorney; I could accomplish the same goals and protections we have for her. Yes—Guardianship and POA (etc) offer the same protections but perhaps feel less “restrictive.” Isn’t that what growing up gets you…less restrictions and more personal control?     At the same time– we as parents who have assisted our children through their lives often do them a disfavor by continuing to “do for them” instead of doing “with” or passing the job along altogether. Sure it is easier if I just toss my daughters clothes in the wash (because I am doing my own) than to (hand over hand) assist her in putting each item in the wash—explaining the process which I am assisting her with. Who does this benefit in the long run...well, neither of us. SURE it will be easy to make her dinner or lunch or snack– I am making ours anyways...and the list goes on until my adult child has no skills to do self-care – to transition FROM ME!  Easier for me... perhaps. Good for either of us? NO!!! Much of our child’s transition into adulthood is “our issue” not theirs. They often welcome the opportunity for personal growth and personal responsibility.   In closing, Mom...Dad…. Cut the ropes, the “restrictions” that we have created by thinking we are helping them grow. Heed caution, it really may be US who are holding their adulthood back.

Jackson Rotary's 2018 Crawfest: Brought Food, Fun, and Music to Grand River Brewery By: Parrish Stahl

Crawfish are a staple in Southern cooking, particularly in the Louisiana area. Most people don't know that even though they are often thought to have been first harvested by the Arcadian's, the ancestors of the Cajuns in the Louisiana area; that is incorrect. Long before the Arcadian's, Native American tribe's wrapped pieces of venison and other small pieces of meat to sticks and are credited with putting them down in the mud all over the south to capture the delicacy. A Cajun feel was in the air as attendee John Riske and his wife Nancy enjoyed a massive pile of Crawfish (Pictured below). John who was once a resident of Louisiana gave many patrons lessons on how to properly peel and eat the creatures. He also explained that the rice paddies in Louisiana serve a double purpose they grow rice in the summer and Crawfish in the winter fed by airplanes. People like Manya Otis who worked the food table handing out Crawfish and all the trimmings have been involved for a number of years. One trait always consistent with people like her is a spirit of giving and a tremendous sense of pride in being associated with like-minded individuals that prove over and over it is the satisfaction we gain in helping people help themselves that makes us all richer. A Crawfish boil is much more than a meal. It is an experience. Generally, where you find Crawfish cooking; music, fun, and camaraderie are never far behind. Add your favorite beverage, Jambalaya, rice, catfish, cornbread and homemade macaroni and cheese, and you got the makings of a great party. Live entertainment was provided by singer, songwriter & guitarist Cat Canyon, belting out all the radio classics from Margaritaville to Turn the Page. Funds raised will help support Rotary Club of Jackson's efforts with disAbility Connections, building ramps, and literacy projects like Energizing Education and Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and Junior Achievement. Some people write checks and support charity efforts which is beautiful, what makes Rotarian efforts special is that whenever possible they roll up their sleeves and change lives forever. What a great example to follow.

Ramp Season Needs Volunteers

We are so glad to have you as an active member of our community. We're currently looking for volunteers for the upcoming Ramp Build's which will increase independence and freedom for Jackson resident's. To make this a success, we need your help; and no building experience is necessary! Please contact us at (517) 414-7969 and let us know you are interested in helping with one or more ramp building project's!

What comes in many forms, but never changes? By: Brian Elliott Time. Time is a funny thing. A second now is the same as a second tomorrow, yesterday, in the future, or year's back. Same can be said for hours, years, decades, centuries, etc. Time will not slow down nor speed up, and no matter how much we plead we cannot stop or go back in time. All of us have something we wish we could go back and do-over or undo in our lives, probably several in fact. We don't get the luxury of going back for re-do's in our lives, no matter what happened time will go forward. Time never stops. Not for one second. One thing is for certain as time keeps moving, there are lessons that can be learned. Some lessons only take once, while others take longer to learn, hence "Should've learned the first time".  Here is the catch.... How do we know what the lessons are? What do we do with these lessons now? I think we should share them. No matter how big or small. A little extra education never hurts and it is these life lessons that will make an impact. As parents and schools are about to release the young out into the wild for a few months there will undoubtedly be lessons to learn and share. Sometimes there is nothing that can be done to ward off bad outcomes, no matter how much prep, precautions, and skill are involved. Unfortunately this is life and we don't always get what we want. I know that I never wanted to become a quadriplegic. Honestly never even crossed my mind as a possibility, didn't even know what it meant. Let alone, that it would be the result of my own actions and from such an ordinary and innocent activity. I was just going to hang out with my friends after work. "See you later Dad, be back sometime later tonight". How was I to know I wouldn't and couldn't go home again for months?

We never know what the future has in store for us. Especially any younger people out there. You aren't as invincible and indestructible as you think/feel. Trust me.  Think First, Feet First! As a reference, the human spinal cord has a consistency similar to Jell-O. That is how sensitive your body's information highway is, doesn't take much to nic or damage something as delicate as Jell-O. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Information Pages reports there are at least 11,000 new SCI’s each year and 82% of those are to males. Ages 16-30 are the highest per capita for SCI, where about 56% of SCI occur. I fell into each of those stats, I was a 20 year old guy when I had my diving accident. During my 3+ months of inpatient rehab at U of M in 2005 there were six people with SCI’s. 5 male and 1 female, out of the 5 males, 4 of us were in our 20’s and all 4 of our SCI’s were a result of shallow water. Statistics don’t lie and time waits for no one. Make the best of your time and the lessons that come along the way. While you get ready for summer activities, please remember and take my lesson: Think First, Feet First! To read the full story click here.

Rotarians Supporting dis Ability Connections

Roger Roty Rotarians turned out in force to raise money for dis Ability Connections on May 4 th for the 58 th year! Twenty-one Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Jackson and the Breakfast Rotary Club braved the gusting winds to sell rulers, hand out information on dis Ability Connections, and collect donations. The annual event raised $1,795 this year and donations are still coming in. THANK YOU Rotary Clubs!

Nancy Wagner The club honors go to: Roger Roty (Breakfast Club) for raising $196 and the highest of all volunteers. Nancy Wagner (The Rotary Club of Jackson) was close second raising the highest total for her club with $151.94 in combined personal donation/collection. Al Herman (The Rotary Club of Jackson) raised $85 in donations and Jim Sunday (Breakfast Rotary Club) came in with $72.29. Other Rotary volunteers/contributors included: Cindy Conant, Renee Merchant, Fred Walters, Bob Henning, Mike Tackett, Mick Baughman, Jon Hart, Ed Greene, Mike Way, Butch Hasenwinkle, Bob Riezner, Cliff Cole, Manja Otis, Phil Moilanen, Jerry Jenkins, Jim Grose, Doug Barber, and Carole Briggs (dis Ability Connections).

Save the Dates:

Disability Awareness Dinner Oct. 11th, 2018 Country Club of Jackson Our opportunity to say "Thank You" to our supporters with a fun night of food, drinks, silent auction, and a guest speaker.

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