Substitute vs. Supported Decision Making with FND
Substitute Decision Making to Supported Decision Making was the topic of discussion with Family Network on Disabilities: Ally Walford and the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students! The discussion began about the difference between Substitute Decision-Making vs. Supported Decision Making. The conversation starter, ”Who makes the decisions about health, living arrangements, and finances for the students?” got the presentation underway with students sharing who made most of the decisions for them.
As Ally continued with the presentation, she began to discuss how important it is to transition from Substitute to Supported Decision Making which gives individuals with disabilities the independence to make decisions about their own lives. Supported Decision Making puts the individual in the driver seat with support from a trusted person in their life. This enables the individual to lead a better quality of life by being the person that leads the decision making process whether it is about finances, medical, employment, school or personal care.
To begin this process, students were encouraged to attend Individual Education Planning (IEP) meetings as well as participate in discussions at their doctor’s visits. These examples were some ways to learn to begin to take the driver seat while making individual decisions.
We are very thankful to Ally Walford, for taking the time to spend with our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and discuss very important life skills. These skills of Supported Decision Making will continue to help the students work on Resources, Independence, Development, Growth and Empowerment.
Patriot Day 2021
Labor Day 2021
Welcome Back to School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class!
We are happy to welcome back the students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class for the 21-22 school year! After a year and a half of virtual learning, we are ready to get back out in the community and experience in person Community Based Instructions (CBI).
Our HDS Foundation Program Manager, Liz Falk, was super excited to see our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and didn’t miss the opportunity to meet the class in person. With most of the class being new students, Liz introduced herself, the mission of the HDS Foundation, and what our role would be in helping them have a successful school year. Students were intrigued and asked many questions about our foundation, but most importantly they wanted to know what some of the activities they would be participating in this school year.
In order to get to know the students a little better, each student shared what they enjoyed doing outside of school. Some of their answers included: collecting Marvel comics, telling jokes, playing video games, beta testing, visiting garage sales, and going on vacation. This was a great way to learn the students interests, while also giving them an opportunity to practice public speaking in front of their peers.
The HDS Foundation is looking forward to a great year with the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and facilitators. Stay tuned to see what the students first CBI of the year will be!
The Wings of Friendship Summer Camp
I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of The Wings of Friendship Summer Camp over the past 8 weeks. A virtual camp that brought together teens and young adults with varying disabilities to enjoy daily activities together. Through various partnerships within the community, campers had the opportunity to participate in art, acting, sign language, trivia, special guest speakers, and so much more.
Each day that I signed onto virtual camp, I experienced campers from all over the country, coming together for social activities, yet beginning to work together as a family supporting, encouraging, and truly caring for one another. Sometimes conversations were light and funny, at other times they shared their struggles with how their disabilities affected them day to day.
Through the collaboration of The Friendship Journey and Dylan’s Wings of Change-Camp Wings of Friendship was created. Presidents’ Samantha Novick (The Friendship Journey) and Ian Hockley, (Dylan’s Wings of Change), both honor children who lost their lives in school shootings. Dylan Hockley(Ian’s son) was one of the first-grade victims who lost his life in the mass shooting while attending school at Sandy Hook Elementary. Jaime Guttenberg and Gina Montalto were both victims of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Jaime and Gina both had volunteered at The Friendship Journey virtual hangouts. Dylan, Jaime and Gina are the reasons the two non-profit organizations came together and continue to share their light and inspire others.
Last week was the final week of camp. Special Guest Speakers, James LeBrecht (director of the 2020 documentary of Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution) and Judith Heumann (a disability rights activist) both came and spoke and answered questions that they were asked during their visit. Campers were incredibly inspired by both James and Judith’s stories. Many of them expressed a sense of empowerment to continue fighting for rights for those with disabilities.
The final celebration was filled with lots of laughing, sharing and sadness. After 8 weeks of being part of this amazing community, it was time to say goodbye. Campers exchanged numbers and email addresses with promises to keep in touch. As I think back on the past 8 weeks, the camp quote will continue to resonate with me….” Kindness is the Key, Love is the Answer”.
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