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Honoring Veterans: The Importance of Celebrating Veteran's Day | | |
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Each year, on November 11, Americans come together to honor the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veteran's Day is a time to reflect on their sacrifices and express our gratitude for their service.
Originally known as Armistice Day, Veteran's Day marks the end of World War I, when hostilities ceased on November 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson established Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the war's end and honor those who served. After World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was expanded to honor all Veterans, and in 1954, it was renamed Veteran's Day by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died in military service, Veteran's Day recognizes all Veterans and celebrates their contributions to safeguarding our nation's freedom.
Many Veterans face significant challenges upon returning to civilian life, including physical disabilities, mental health struggles, and adjusting to new careers. The day reminds us of the ongoing need to support our Veterans as they navigate these obstacles.
At The Independence Center, we are proud to support Veterans year-round through our Veteran Directed Care program. This program empowers Veterans to live independently by giving them the freedom to choose their own care and remain in their homes.
For Veterans who may face physical or health challenges, the ability to stay at home with the support of loved ones is invaluable.
One of the key benefits of the program is that Veterans can hire family members or friends as caregivers. This ensures that they receive personalized, familiar care in the comfort of their own homes, rather than moving into long-term care facilities.
The Veteran Directed Care program not only enhances Veterans' quality of life but also helps provide financial support for their caregivers, ensuring that Veterans receive high-quality, individualized assistance from those they trust most.
As we celebrate Veteran's Day, please join us in honoring the brave individuals who have served our country and renew our commitment to supporting them and ensuring that they receive the care and respect they deserve year-round.
If you would like to learn more about the Veteran Directed Care program at The IC please call (719-471-8181) or email info@the-ic.org
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The IC's Veteran Directed Care program is "a lifesaver" | |
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The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program at The Independence Center provides Veterans of all ages the opportunity to self-direct the care and services that will best meet their individual needs.
For Veterans like Gerald (Jerry) Miller, a 99-year-old World War II Veteran, the VDC program has been a "lifesaver" in maintaining his quality of life.
Jerry’s journey with VDC began after a difficult experience in a nursing home following a bout of COVID-19 in 2022. His daughter, Bev Donegon, shared, “I didn’t want to put him into a home. He’s lived his entire life by himself, but at this point, we needed help.”
It was by chance that Bev discovered the VDC program, and it quickly became the solution they were looking for. “I can’t thank VDC enough. What a godsend this program has been, especially for Jerry. It’s been remarkable and allowed him to stay in his home.”
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[ID: In front of a blue-gray background, a man with short-cropped hair wearing a dark gray shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | |
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The VDC program provides personalized support, giving Veterans and their families more control over their care. Bev describes the relief and support she found through The Independence Center: “You just feel like you’re all by yourself, but when VDC got involved, just the connection and having someone to speak to has changed my life. I don’t feel alone anymore.”
Jerry, who served in the Army during World War II and was drafted right out of high school in 1943, now faces significant health challenges, including COPD and the need for full assistance with daily care. Despite these challenges, VDC has enabled him to maintain his independence at home.
Bev recalls the continuity of care provided by Jerry’s long-time caregiver, Melba: “They are attached at the hip, and I don’t think he would be here without her. The ability to have that continuity of care was critical to his life.”
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Thanks to VDC, Jerry enjoys the simple pleasures of home—watching birds and squirrels from his window and continuing to live in the house he has known for decades. “It’s been a miracle to have VDC involved,” Bev said, emphasizing that the program has been instrumental in helping him live comfortably, managing his care needs while preserving his dignity.
Bev encourages other families to explore the VDC program, calling it “a lifesaver and godsend” for veterans like her father. As Jerry approaches his 100th birthday this November, his story is a testament to how the VDC program allows veterans to age in place and live with dignity, surrounded by the people and comforts they cherish most.
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The Conversation About
Hidden Disabilities | |
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The IC's Advocacy Specialist Scott Bartlett shares his thoughts about living with a non-visible or 'hidden' disability:
Can people relate to something that can’t be observed? If it can’t be seen, does it still exist?
People with hidden disabilities, sometimes called invisible disabilities, or non-apparent disabilities, can feel frustrated due to lack of understanding and disbelief about their experiences with disability.
People may not disclose that they have a disability due to negative past experiences and concern over stigma. They may feel that a need to mask their disability, which is a barrier to support and accommodation. So many of these individuals suffer silently and experience poor life outcomes and unrealized potential.
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[ID: In front of a blue-gray background, a man with short-cropped hair wearing a dark gray shirt signs in American Sign Language.] | |
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As someone with a mostly non-apparent disability, I have had difficulties in both disabled and non-disabled spaces. I have heard the words, “you don’t look autistic”, or “you must have mild autism” in equal amounts from both people with disabilities and those without.
I am thankful and privileged to be an autistic that is employed (only 20% of autistic people are employed), and can do many things independently, but it does not mean that my internal experience with autism is “mild”.
On the other side of the equation, when my disability becomes observable, my intelligence and competency are questioned. People make assessments of what they can observe and but then they fail to see the whole person. As disability advocates, we must raise awareness that it is wrong to rely on visibility alone to validate someone’s experience or needs.
Why is the conversation about hidden disabilities important? The University of Massachusetts states that 10% of American’s have a hidden disability. This amounts to millions of Americans with disabilities. This includes people with mental health conditions, neurological conditions, chronic pain, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, and auto-immune conditions, among others.
It is important to talk about hidden disabilities to raise awareness of issues that affect the disability community and reduce stigma of disabilities. Talking about disability encourages people to get support that they need and to become self-advocates. It also leads to systemic change and better policies and support for people with disabilities.
The greatest tool for disability advocacy is the voices of people with disabilities. It is through sharing personal experiences that the myths and assumptions about disability will be displaced. I think it is scary for most people to speak about their own disability because of fear of being treated differently.
However, I think in most cases, it is liberating and empowering. We must make space for people with hidden disabilities to have their voices heard. We must also understand that making assessments based only upon observation of people with observable disabilities is wrong. It is the voices of the disability community that will raise awareness and create change for people with disabilities.
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Accessibility in Healthcare:
Make Your Voice Heard! | |
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency working directly for Congress. The GAO has developed a short survey to obtain information on the lived experiences of people with disabilities and the barriers they've faced trying to access healthcare.
Caretakers can also answer the survey on behalf of the person for whom they care.
To take the survey online, use the following link:
https://gaosurvey.gao.gov/jfe/form/SV_4NqcK4po5BfajZA
To get help with the survey, or if you need accommodations, please contact the GAO by emailing HealthAccessibility@gao.gov or call 202-367-9009.
The survey will be open until November 30, 2024.
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The IC's Holiday Schedule | | |
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The IC's offices will be closed from Wednesday, December 25 through Wednesday, January 1, 2025 to ensure our Team has the opportunity to relax and enjoy the holiday break with friends and family.
Please take a moment to make sure you've taken care of any important IC-related needs or concerns before the closure!
We'll see you again in person on Thursday, January 2, 2025!
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Upcoming Community Workshops, Special Events, Recreation Events, and Support Groups | | | | |
