Pomp and Circumstances always makes me cry. The first few notes bring on a flood of tears and trigger my emotions. Whether it’s being played on a giant screen in a movie theater or by a high school band in a local gymnasium. I cry buckets of tears every time I hear it. Graduation means change. The daily routines we loved so much are ending. The familiar is now gone and the unfamiliar is taking its place. We must begin again, forge new paths, and create new routines. ‘A new normal’, as some say.

My son's graduation experience is still fresh in my mind. He graduated at 18, choosing not to stay in school until the age of 21. He was done and made his desires clear. As he crossed the stage, he stopped to read every line in his diploma. Once satisfied that he had completed school, he tucked the diploma holder under his arm and exited the stage. Once home he gathered every shred of school material he could find: notebooks, drawings, daily conversation logs. He gathered it all and created an enormous bonfire with it. He was FOR SURE done with it. There was nothing left. His actions then speak volumes to me still. 

Change is hard. Its exhausting and it’s scary. It’s required, though. Change can also bring new growth. If we embrace the new path and consider it an adventure we might find joy along the way. Consider the path your graduating senior is about to take. Make a bonfire if you need to, to get rid of the past so you can look forward to the future. Help them embrace the joy in the next journey.

Good luck to all our seniors!

-Shelby Knight

Summer means graduation and graduation means making plans for the future. Self-determination is an important part of that process for teens and young adults with disabilities.

"Self-determination is the ability for an individual to make their own decisions and guide the path of their lives." 

For a webinar on Supporting Families to Focus on Student Self Determination, Click Here

For more information visit the I'm Determined website Click Here

-Karen Lutrick, Southwest and Central Region

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and it's essential to remember the importance of mental health for those caring for individuals with disabilities. Caring for someone with a disability can be overwhelming and cause high levels of stress and burnout. It's crucial to prioritize mental health, take time for self-care, and seek support from family, friends, and healthcare professionals when necessary. Mental health issues can also impact individuals with disabilities, who may experience anxiety, depression, or other challenges. This month, we recognize these unique challenges and work towards creating a world where all individuals, including those with disabilities and their caregivers, have access to the resources and support they need to prioritize their mental well-being. 

-Lauryn Tacker, Delta Region

Camp Aldergate has great summer camp options for kids and young adults with disabilities!

June 11th-16th, Muscular Dystrophy Camp

June 18th-23rd, Kota 1 Camp

June 25th-30th, Kota 2 Camp

July 9th-14th, Spina Bifida Camp

July 16th-21st, Cardiac, Arthritis, Kidney, Bleeding Disorders,

Audiology & Oncology

July 23rd-28th, Diabetes Camp

July 30th- August 4th, Kota 3

Website: CLICK HERE

Phone: (501)225-1444

-Teresa Hendrix, Northeast Region

May 12th is Military Spouse Appreciation Day! This is a wonderful opportunity to thank those who help provide stability to the Sponsor (military person) as well as the children/teens who need that sense of security. Military Spouses are resilient, adaptable, creative, and more. I am a Military Spouse (retired/widowed) My late husband served 23 years of active duty. He began as an enlisted person during the Vietnam war. He then specialized,

became a Warrant Officer, and eventually a Captain. The challenge as a military spouse in the beginning was finding how to survive on $50 a month after we paid bills. I had to take care of our vehicle, home, and more while he was away. When he specialized, we had 2 children so I looked for activities to keep them entertained and distracted. When we moved, our floor plans were never the same so I had to be a thrifty and creative. As I think back on my experience as a Military Spouse, I reflect with joy and sorrow. I miss the camaraderie with neighbors who related to those lonely, challenging moments of deployments, trainings, and late meetings. Now as a widow, I am grateful for the support that I received from a Sargent Major who helped me maneuver the nuances of “survivor benefits.” I will always be a Military Spouse and I wear that label as a badge of honor. I will forever be grateful for the time well served.

-Loreena Hegenbart, North Central Region

Children with sensory processing disorder can struggle with the traditional outdoor activities like going to a park or playground. It can be overwhelming and unenjoyable for them. Below are some fun activities that your child can do outside in your backyard. 

• Make nature sculptures - take a walk around your house or woods and find sticks, leaves, stones etc to make different types of sculptures.
• Go on a nature scavenger hunt 
• Create an obstacle course outside
• Create an outdoor sensory bin. You can hide different items in sand or find items that sink in a bucket of water and the kids have to go and find them
• Paint rocks/stones
• Blow bubbles or play with sidewalk chalk
• Fill up a bucket of water and allow your child to wash their toys 

-Katrinka Sullivan, Northwest and River Valley Region

Below are just a few local celebrations and events for the months of May/June!

Pride Festival in Fayetteville on June 24th celebrates LGBTQ+ history and pride.

The Juneteenth Festival in Little Rock on June 17th commemorates the end of slavery in 1865.

Don't forget Arkansas.com has a huge list of events that you can filter by date and area!

Medicaid Beneficiarites, be on the look out for Medicaid renewal forms now that the pandemic has ended and renewals will be restarting. You can go to your local DHS, call 1-844-872-2660 or go to the link below to access the online portal that includes Medicaid, Snap, and other benefits.