IN THIS ISSUE...
  • 60 Voices That Shine - #48 Hope Weasel
  • New Resources On Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts
  • Colorado COVID Updates
  • An Inspiring Story Helps Everyone See Disability Differently
  • Get An Extra Hour Of Sleep – Daylight Saving Time Ending
Hope Wessel #48

Freedom. Independence. Autonomy. Human rights. These are all things most people take for granted. Not Hope Wessel. Her rights and freedom were hard won, and fortunately, The Arc was there to help.
 
As a child with hidden disabilities, Hope had the typical freedoms as most kids, like being able to go out to play with friends and to go to the park nearby. However, at about age 13, Hope's mother started placing more restrictions on her, even to the point that she wasn't able to see friends, go to the park, or even leave the house.
 
After years of living in a tightly controlled environment, when Hope turned 18, her mother was granted guardianship. What a guardian is supposed to do is to consider the wishes of the person they are guardian for and make decisions alongside them. In Hope's case, however, her mother was inappropriately restrictive--Hope could not meet with her doctor alone, she was forced to take medication that she didn't want to take, she couldn’t see a therapist or even carry her own identification. This left Hope feeling very isolated, confused and scared because people around her were telling her that she was stuck in this situation.
 
Thankfully a kind nurse informed Hope that she could take back control of her life by pursuing termination of her mother’s guardianship. Soon after Hope started the termination process, she was referred to The Arc, and an advocate walked alongside Hope through the rest of the long journey. Together, they accomplished a huge amount of work, including making sure that all the paperwork was filed, educating other professionals involved in the process, preparing for Hope's court appearances and planning for Hope's independence.
 
Their efforts were successful, and Hope’s mother was no longer her guardian. Hope now has friends, a job, a bank account, and the freedom to make her own choices.
 
Hope’s voice is one that shines brightly when she tells her powerful story. Hers is a voice that was shining when she bravely testified in court about why she no longer wanted or needed a guardian. Hers is a voice that gleams when she speaks out about the importance of personal freedom. We honor her voice, her strength and her resilience.

To see all of the “60 Voices That Shine” featured thus far or for more information about our 60th Anniversary, CLICK HERE.
New Resources On Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts

The Arc’s Center for Future Planning is pleased to share four new video resources to assist with planning for a Special Needs Trust and ABLE account for your child.
 
These short videos will help save money while also protecting benefits. Here are the four videos currently available:
 
  • An Overview of ABLE Accounts
  • An Overview of Special Needs Trusts
  • Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts: How Are They Different
  • Pooled Special Needs Trusts
 
To view the videos in English, CLICK HERE. To view the videos in Spanish, CLICK HERE. Look for more videos to be released soon. If you would like more information from The Arc’s Center for Future Planning, CLICK HERE.
Colorado COVID Updates

Children Ages 5 - 11 Now Eligible
It is something that many parents have been waiting for, the availability of COVID vaccines for their younger-aged children. Children ages 12 and over have been eligible for COVID vaccines for a while now. For those between ages 5 and 11, they have just recently become eligible with vaccinations beginning shortly.
 
While it is generally true that children don’t get as sick from COVID as adults, children who get COVID pose a risk to the adults in their lives by spreading the disease to those more vulnerable. Kids can get very sick as well with 2.3% of all hospitalizations for COVID having been children. Children in the IDD community are often more at risk from COVID due to other health conditions.
 
If you would like to get your child vaccinated against COVID, there are many resources and clinics available. CLICK HERE for more information and to find a vaccination resource near you. There are some fun vaccination sites planned including the Denver Zoo, Coors Field, and Dinosaur Ridge!
An Inspiring Story Helps Everyone See Disability Differently

In France, the country’s first official with Down syndrome, appointed in 2020, is now helping lead the town of Arras. Eleonore Laloux is a municipal councilor in her town and receiving praise for her colorful nature, desire to make everyone smile, and promoting inclusivity.
 
She was recently awarded membership of the National Order of Merit, France’s second-highest civilian honor, in part, due to her work to make changes in civilian life.
 
Eleonore isn’t content with just her role in town leadership. She also has a part-time job in the hospital, volunteers, and has a board position on Down Up, a nonprofit her father launched to support the Down syndrome community. If that already wasn’t enough, she started her own foundation, named Friends of Eleonore, which she uses to promote the understanding of the capabilities of persons with disabilities.
 
“I’m a very committed and dynamic person, and I like to be out working with people,” said Eleonore.
 
She is an inspiration to us all, proving that everyone has something to contribute to their community and disabilities do not need to stand in your way.
Get An Extra Hour Of Sleep Daylight Saving Time Ending

It is that time of year when Daylight Saving Time ends. Many people bemoan these time changes but remember this one does have a positive side to it. You get an extra hour to sleep on Saturday night!
 
It will be a little lighter earlier in the morning so you won’t have to get up when it is still dark outside. This also means, however, that it will get dark one hour earlier in the evening. So take extra precautions to be safe when out during the earlier dusk and darkness hours.
 
Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed. So, if you go to bed at 10:00 PM, set your clocks to 9:00 PM before you retire. Then enjoy that extra hour of sleep!