ECNV Newsletter: November
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In this edition, Register for upcoming virtual workshops that include ABLEnow Information Session and new Wellness Workshops! ECNV Spotlight Welcome ECNV's New Executive Director, Alzheimer's Awareness Month resources and blog post from Young Adult Knight's. Updated COVID-19 Resources. You can now follow us on Instagram!
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presented by: Asya Haikin, MA, C-IAYT
When: 9/25, 10/16, 11/20, 12/11 11am - 12pm EST
Where: Zoom Virtual Workshop
Completed (09/25)
Completed (10/16)
Please contact [email protected] for accessibility requests. This event will be recorded.
Description:
This 4-week series will give participants practical tools to help reduce stress, improve physical well being, develop self-awareness and emotional awareness. We will use the tools of mindfulness, breath, gentle movement, and healing sound. We’ll also explore the science of how our nervous system responds to stress and to our environment. Each workshop will build on the previous one, so they are better attended as a series, but can also be taken individually.
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About the Presenter:
Asya Haikin, MA, C-IAYT, is a yoga therapist specializing in adapting and individualizing yoga for those with physical limitations, chronic pain, anxiety,
and neurological conditions. She empowers her clients to develop internal awareness, make yoga practices their own, and tap into yoga’s healing potential. She sees it as her mission to educate the public about the benefits of yoga therapy. You can find out more and connect with her through her website:
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presented by: ABLEnow
When: November 17, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Where: Virtual
Description:
More independence, greater financial security and a better quality of life – that’s the future ABLEnow is building. Join us for a free information session to discover the advantages of ABLE accounts and the national ABLEnow program.
In just one hour, we’ll cover the answers to these questions, and more:
• What are ABLE accounts?
• Who is eligible?
• How can I use the money in an ABLE account?
• What are the features and benefits of the ABLEnow program?
• How can I learn more and open an account?
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Social / Support Groups
TGIF Social Group (Virtual Via Zoom)
When: December 4, 2020
Where: Zoom 4pm - 5pm
TTY: (703) 525-3553
Description:
Once you RSVP to Ruchika Lalwani ( [email protected] | 703-719-1369) you will get a zoom invitation with password the morning of the event.
The TGIF Group is a chance for local non-disabled and disabled people to relax together after a long week and feel the energy of the disability culture (yes, there IS such a thing!)
Our goal in hosting these get-togethers is to further the mission of ECNV; for individuals with disabilities to improve the quality of their lives, determine their own lifestyles, participate in all aspects of society and secure their human and civil rights.
Sometimes, the greatest barrier is attitude. These get-togethers are an attempt at lowering this barrier by socializing together and creating opportunities to develop friendships in our community that might not otherwise happen!
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Endependents Social Group (Virtual Via Zoom)
When: November 20, 2020
Where: Zoom 4pm - 5pm
Description
The ENDependents is a monthly social group that meets for pizza at the ECNV office at 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 250, Arlington, 22201. Everyone is welcome! Join us for food and fun for just $5! Check the calendar for dates and times. Because of the pandemic we are meeting virtually until further notice so bring a snack and join us for games and make new friends on Zoom!
Contact Ruchika Lalwani at [email protected] | 703-719-1369 | TTY: (703) 525-3553 to find out what we're doing next.
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Young Adult Knights (ages 18-30)
When: December 11, 2020
Where: Zoom at 6:00pm
RSVP: Email [email protected] or call 703-719-1379 for more information. TTY: (703) 525-3553
Description:
Young Adult Knights has gone virtual. If you are between the ages of 18-30 and want to make connections and friends in a relaxed fun atmosphere then please join us. We will meet once a month via Zoom. So far we have had so much fun playing online games and having virtual movie nights. RSVP to Michelle Williams if you are interested!
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by Elizabeth Kumar, Communications Manager
A warm welcome to Jill Jacobs, our new Executive Director! We are looking forward to Jill leading ECNV's mission of empowering people with disabilities to live independently. She has an accomplished history of advocacy and community leadership.
In her previous position at Booz Allen Hamilton, she advised on projects for the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other agencies on long-term care, managed care, and policy, among other matters.
For two decades Jill has analyzed policy and worked toward improved health and disability programs and services at local, state, and federal levels. Jill’s ability to spot trends and analyze emerging data combined with her gift for creative problem-solving and an advocate’s heart has led to better outcomes for disabled and elderly persons around the world.
Jill founded and served for eighteen years as the CEO of Ability Unleashed, a Medicaid case management agency. Jill has held executive positions at various nonprofit and government entities and served on boards to include the World Association of People with Disabilities, and UCP of Washington & Northern Virginia. She is currently on the boards of the National Council on Independent Living and the Moses West Foundation.
Jill is a passionate and deeply committed changemaker for people with disabilities and our elders; she is known for her willingness to dive headfirst into even the most daunting efforts. In 1998, she got involved as a key organizer in a campaign to get a statue of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt seated in his wheelchair at the national monument in Washington, DC. From that point forward, she has been a grassroots organizer in the disability arena.
More recently, Jill has organized healthcare protests, human rights marketing campaigns, and relief efforts for the most marginalized communities. She led disaster response efforts following Hurricanes Harvey and Maria resulting in lifesaving outcomes for disabled people in Houston and Puerto Rico. Gathering celebrity endorsements and funds as well as crowd-sourced grassroots support, Jill obtained clothing, water, food, medicine and medical care and transported them to disabled people in need. She provided rescue by ground, sea and air and arranged housing, social services and care for evacuees.
Her experience as a management professional, as well as her own experience with disability and as the mother of two disabled people, gives Jill special insight into the needs of people with disabilities, especially as it pertains to families. For her work advancing rights and access of disabled military family members, the United States Army awarded Jill the Dr. Mary E. Walker Medal of Honor.
Jill enjoys expressing herself creatively not only through advocacy, but also via the arts. She is an accomplished visual artist whose work has shown in New York, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. She is looking forward to serving the ECNV community make sure people with disabilities are included in all aspects of society and that their voices are heard. We are all very excited to start this new chapter at the Endependence Center!
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Blog by: Pansy Walker , Medicaid Programs Coordinator
The Month of November is known as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Former President Ronald Reagan made November the designated month in 1983 and it is still recognized today. During November, there are many observances that include fundraisers, tips for healthy aging, Alzheimer’s information that is now downloadable, “memory walks,” and so much information and resources for caregivers. Please note the resources listed below for more information on where to find information and what you can do to be a part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. There are many stages to Alzheimer’s and there are current treatments to focus on maintaining the mental function, behavioral actions and ways to slow or delay the progression of the disease.
While we acknowledge that Alzheimer’s affects more that 5 million Americans, it is also important to acknowledge the affects it has on the caregivers. “Caregiver Burnout” is a “state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude from positive caring to frustrated and exhaustive caring. There are five signs of Caregiver Burnout:
1. Exhaustion- physical and emotional exhaustion-feeling tired physically or depressed mentally
2. Changes in sleep, appetite and weight
3. Increased Stress
4. Having “the Blues”
5. Lack of interest in work, hobbies or family.
Caregiving is fulfilling, demanding, and labor stressed. And though a caregiver believes they can do all, it is difficult for a caregiver to step back and realize they need assistance. When a caregivers is focused on others or someone else the phrase—“you can’t take care of someone, if you cannot take care of yourself”. Asking for assistance and getting the assistance you need is the first step.
So while we acknowledge that November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, let us not forget the men and women who continue to walk, fundraise, support, lobby and care for our family and friends who live every day with this disease and also care for someone who has Alzheimer’s.
If you would like more information on Alzheimer’s Disease, please look below:
[Image: Purple background with the words November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. A purple ribbon with the words written on the ribbon Awareness Matters.]
References
https://www.seniorcaring.com/resources/5-tell-tale-signs-of-caregiver-burnout
www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-and-brain-awareness-month
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By: Pansy Walker, Medicaid Programs Coordinator
This year, due to COVID-19, marked the first Virtual Halloween Party for the Young Adult Knights Social Group. Even though it was done virtually, it was agreed that a good time and fun atmosphere was achieved. Since April the Young Adult Knights have been meeting twice per month to continue the sense of community and outreach for the young participants in Western Fairfax and the Loudon County area.
During the party, participants played “Name That Halloween Tune”, “Halloween Madlibs”, and Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Everyone wore costumes and had to guess who they were. Please see below the winners of the pumpkin decorating. Thanks to everyone for participating. For more information about the Young Adult Social group, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
“Scariest Pumpkin”—David H.
“Creative Pumpkin”—Ryan H.
“Funniest Pumpkin”—Sara R.
“Colorful Pumpkin”—Kevin T.
“Creepiest Pumpkin”—Patrick G.
[Image: Five pumpkins shown with various faces for each contest winner with a black cat clipart with yellow eyes.]
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We are all in this together. Our team at ECNV is continuing to stay connected with each other, our consumers and partners. We have a working document to bring you up to date resources during this pandemic. Please email [email protected] if you have resources you would like to add to this list.
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Traveling to the DC Metro Area and need a personal assistant? ECNV maintains a PAS registry which is a list of individuals who are available to provide personal assistance. The registry offers consumers and social workers in different counties a resource for finding providers. Many of them have home health care training and are willing to work at a mutually agreeable rate that can be lower than prevailing rates charged by home care agencies. The registry, which is updated on a regular basis, may be obtained by request from the PAS Coordinator. Assistants listed in the registry have completed an application that provides information about their experience and qualifications including personal references. The applicants are then required to attend a training workshop, orienting them to the philosophy of consumer-directed services before being added to the registry.
If you wish to apply to be a personal assistant please fill out the application and submit to Ruchika Lalwani. Her information is below.
Please contact Ruchika Lalwani at [email protected] or (703) 525-3268 for further information about the PAS registry. TTY: (703) 525-3553
ECNV does not conduct background or reference checks but encourages consumers to do so before hiring a provider. ECNV does not offer personal assistant management training to consumers.
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Click here for more information about our program, how to donate and to view many of the equipment we have in our inventory.
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If you have received any services from the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) or LEND, we’d like your feedback. Your input helps improve the quality of our services and ensures we are meeting your needs.
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AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to ECNV
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