 What if there was an online support group, open to all Oregon & SW Washington families who are raising a child with any disability?
There is! It's called "Gimme A Break" (GAB) and it's facilitated by UCP Oregon. Families connect with other families in a safe and non-judgmental space. They cheer for each other, vent, and just talk. They also share ideas about how to deal with stress, how to find support, and what to expect now and in the future. GAB is held online (via Zoom) on the second Thursday of every month, from 6:30pm–8pm. Learn more and RSVP for the November GAB here.  What are you doing to celebrate or acknowledge World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6th?
Paige Murray (a motivational speaker and athlete) decided to write a letter to her CP, acknowledging the ups and downs of living with cerebral palsy. As Paige writes, "We are inseparable. Never without one another, you complete my very being." After a tough adolescence, Paige says, she and her CP now "work in sync, most of the time anyway, always ready to smash through restrictions and whatever comes our way, together." Read Paige's full letter here.  Happy NDEAM to you!
Wondering what NDEAM means? It stands for "National Disability Employment Awareness Month," and it happens every October. The 2020 NDEAM is pretty special. That's because we're celebrating both the 75th observance of NDEAM... and the 30th anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)! Both milestones are being celebrated across the country with a range of events, all centering on the theme "Increasing Access and Opportunity." UCP Oregon's fantastic supported employment division (Employment Solutions) creates "access and opportunity" every day!  We're sad to announce that the 2020 Walk, Roll 'n' Run (WRR) is cancelled. In a normal year, the WRR is UCP's biggest event. It raises crucial funds for our Family Support Department, allowing us to provide vital supports for families raising kids with cerebral palsy. But... it's not a normal year. It's 2020. And that means we need your help more than ever! That's why we're asking you to donate in your usual WRR amount. Or even consider donating more!  Here’s a lovely story for a lovely day!
If someone in your family uses a wheelchair, you know how hard it can be to take a vacation… let alone go camping! UCP’s Family Support Director, Katherine, loves to go camping. Recently, she got to take her son (who uses a wheelchair) with her, thanks to the kindness of an awesome UCP parent! The parent, Lisa Ledson, lent Katherine and Nic a 40-foot, wheelchair-accessible RV and a wheelchair ramp. Katherine and Nic stayed at the Mt. Hood RV Resort. Katherine says that the resort was incredible for wheelchairs. They also went to Wildwood Recreation Park on the Salmon River, which has accessible trails for wheelchairs. We're excited to announce that UCP, along with Abeona Group, is hosting a Zoom class about government benefits for individuals who experience disabilities!
Join us on August 18th at 7:00 PM. You'll learn how programs like SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, K-Plan, ABLE Act, and more can help support your loved one, and how to best navigate the complexities within these programs. *Zoom Registration Required* Register here. NOTE: Please contact Hayley Palmer with any questions or concerns: 503-914-1285 or hayleypalmer@financialguide.com
The program is called Amazon Smiles. It's incredibly easy to set up.
Last week, UCP Oregon and the nation celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Did you know that an 8-year-old girl who experienced cerebral palsy helped get this bill passed? Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins crawled up the 83 stone steps that lead to the U.S. Capitol. "I’ll take all night if I have to," she said. Joining her on her journey were some 60 other activists who also cast aside their mobility devices, all with a goal of demonstrating the everyday barriers experienced by people with disabilities. Jennifer is still a disability rights activist today. Learn more about her story here.
COVID-19 is certainly proving to be a marathon!
UCP Oregon is committed to responding to COVID-19 in a way that keeps customers, employees, and the community safe. At this time, there are no plans in the works to change our current strategies (keeping the office closed and limiting face-to-face supports as possible). If needed, we will make some adjustments in specific service areas to be responsive to customer needs. But, rest assured, that these adjustments will be made cautiously and thoughtfully. As always, we thank our employees. All of them are working under unprecedented conditions, especially those that are providing in-person supports. Many folks have experienced changes to their roles and duties, and are having far less social interaction with team members. They are handling these changes with grace and grit. A shout-out to our customers as well. Many folks have their supports changed or paused. We're grateful for their flexibility and resilience. We'll get through this, together. One day and one step at a time. |
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UCP Oregon
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97220 Phone: 503-777-4166 Fax: 503-771-8048 |