Summer Newsletter 2014

Inside This Issue:
Through My Eyes..................Pg. 2
Staff Kudos............................Pg. 4
The Messenger......................Pg. 4
ISL Wish List..........................Pg. 5
Cargiver’s Corner..................Pg. 6
Vol. 1
Issue 2
OUR JOURNEY
“Friendly” Donation
An agency Facebook contact makes it possible for people to attend camp
I
n April of 2014 CDD launched a Facebook page so
we could connect with others to let them know what
we were doing to advocate, support and care for the
people living with us. We also wanted to let others
know of the needs of the people in our program so
that we could accept donations on their behalf.
Though our Facebook “friend” connections, Lee and Michele Mergy and family from Old Lyme, CT reached out
to us and asked how they could help. At the time they
contacted us, we were preparing camp applications for
some of the people we support. Camp is a costly activity
and many people were struggling to come up with the
funds to attend. Lee and Michele stated they wanted everyone who had the desire to attend camp to be able to
do so. The Mergys did not want money to be the reason
for people not enjoying something they have sent their
own children to. With their generous support, 40 people
were able to attend camp this summer. Their donation is
the largest donation CDD has ever received and it went
directly to helping the people we support participate in
something they look forward to each year.
Paul Templeton paints the face of a camp counselor while Nikki
Ersery looks on. People supported from all of the homes were able to
interact and attend camp this year.
Daniel Richardson edges out another person while he runs a race at
Heartland Camp. The individuals particpated in various activities
while they attended camp in July.
Lee is a Senior Managing Director at Galt and Company.
He holds a Master’s in Public and Private Management
from the Yale School of Management. Lee’s strategic
thinking led him to think about the next step in what
someone needs when going to camp. He asked if he
could buy 50 backpacks and fill them with hygiene
products for people to use while at camp. We humbly
took Lee up on his offer and offered to match his backpack donation with another 50 so that all the people
receiving services from CDD could have one. Lee would
not hear of it and he ended up purchasing 150 backpacks with CDD’s logo. Lee and Michele’s children, Caius
and Claudia, filled the bags with hygiene products
for those going to camp and then they mailed all of the
backpacks to us. Those backpacks can be seen all around
CDD and we even have extras for new people coming
into services.
Recently, we set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise
money for our first agency-wide picnic. The picnic will
be for all the people we support, our employees and
story continued on page 2
Through My Eyes
My name is Nicole and I live at Kinbrook Apartments and have been for
eight years. Before coming to CDD,
I lived with my grandmother. My
Support Coordinator told me about
CDD and what a great place it was.
I decided I wanted to try it out and
have some independence.
Some things I love about CDD are
the exciting trips and outings provided to us. We go to Royals and Chiefs
games and musicals at Starlight
theatre. Every year we go to the Universoul Circus and the Rennaissance
Festival. We go on picnics and to
Worlds of Fun. We even went on a
family vacation to Branson this year.
CDD helps me to be more independent by having staff to help teach
me life skills. Staff and I go grocery
shopping and cook delicious and
wholesome meals in my own apartment. I love having my own apartment at CDD.
I also have a job I love working at
Southeast Enterprises. I have recently trained to be the lead in my
area. I was chosen because I knew a
lot about other jobs in my area. My
supervisor knew I wanted to move
up and it makes me feel good that
she trusts me with more responsibilities. My position teaches me to be
responisble and independent.
I love being a part of the CDD family; they let me live my life the way
I want and help me to see my full
potential.
Nicole cooks dinner in her apartment.
“Friendly” Donation continued
Donation allows people supported to attend camp
our Board of Directors. Historically,
we have held three separate events,
but decided we would try something
different this year and hold one
event. The Mergy family has gone
above and beyond with directly
helping people, so we did not anticipate another donation from them.
Yet, within an hour of setting up the
Go Fund Me Page, the Mergy family
made another generous donation.
the reader or to the Mergy family,
how grateful and humbled we are
for their support. Thank you Lee and
Michele, you all are amazing.
Their donations have gone directly to helping the people receiving
services. We have 104 people in our
program who have benefited from
their kindness. Now, not only are the
individuals receiving assistance, the
agency is receiving help with offsetting the expenses for an event that
many, many more people will participate in.
We cannot begin to express, to you
Pg. 2
Lee, Michele and their children, Claudia
and Caius made sizeable donations to allow
people to attend camp and help offset funds
for the first agency-wide picnic.
Steven Devero hangs out with Jody when she
stopped by during the week of camp.
From the desk of the Executive Director
Sarah Mudd
“Dance With the One Who Brung Ya’”
One night I lay in bed, looking up at
the stars, with my thoughts keeping me awake. I have been told by
someone that my articles “From
the Executive Director” are not very
Executive Director-ish. The person
went on to say my articles are not
about the business, but are human
interest pieces.
I am not the most polished person
in the world, I can be a little crass,
and at times too direct, but I am
doing what I am supposed be doing.
I could tell you about the business
inside the business. I could explain to
you an Income/Expense Statement,
show you a Balance Sheet, and I
have enough audits for you to read
that would put you to sleep nightly
for 40 years. I could also tell you that
CDD has purchased five vehicles in
the last few months or that we are
remodeling a particular home. But,
truly those things are not what keep
me at CDD.
As I laid there, I pondered the newsletter article issue and this is what
I’ve concluded: the people are my
business and the reason why I am
here. They are the reason I stay passionate about my job. I want nothing
but the best for them and for the
staff members who care for them. If
I can reach one staff member to provide a gentler, more compassionate
way of caring for someone, I’ve done
my job. When I lay out the expectation that all people are valued and
important, I am doing my job. When
I’ve embraced someone we support
with a heartfelt hug, I have done and
I am doing my job.
When I visit the homes it is not being
informed that a particular piece of
furniture needs replaced, or a computer needs fixed that motivates me.
The reason I am here, why I have
stayed here, is to hear someone say,
“Sarah, I had a good day today,” or
hearing a man 15 years older than
me say, “Mama (me), your son (him)
loves you,” and probably my favorite
part is getting that daily phone call
from a person whom I began working with in 1991 who calls to tell me,
“Sar-e, you’re my dynamite girl.”
I decided that in order for you to
understand what we want, what
we expect, and what we are really
doing, I have to stay true to myself
and continue doing what brought me
here, to this Executive Directorship,
in the first place. It is the people.
So as I laid in bed that night, I was
able to go to sleep, content with
the fact that I can let go of what
others think I should be and be
who I am.
Upcoming CDD
Events
September
September 6 CDD Picnic
September 24 Movie night
Nurse’s Corner
•
Flu season is around the corner! Schedule your flu shot!
•
Traditional flu vaccine is made to
protect against three different flu
viruses
•
Everyone six months and older
should get a flu vaccine each year
•
It takes about two weeks after a vaccination for your body to develop an
immune response
•
The flu vaccine is safe, it does not
cause the flu, this is a myth.
•
Even if you don’t have a regular doctor or nurse, you can get a flu vaccine somewhere else, like a health
department, pharmacy, urgent care
clinic, and often your school, college
health center or work.
Pg. 3
Staff Kudos
Victor Cabral is the Lead Direct Support
Professional at Summit Apartments and
provides direction for the other staff
members who work there. The staff
members welcome his guidance and
everyone appreciates his hard work to
make the lives of the people living at
Summit better.
Victor always goes above and beyond
the call of duty by supporting individuals with passion, care and intuition. He
knows what people need physically and
emotionally and serves as a mentor, especially for the men who live at Summit.
Victor never hesitates to jump in when
he’s needed.
Each year, Victor helps people attend
the Real Choices, Real Voices Conference in Tan-Tar-A at the Lake of the
Ozarks. The conference gives people
who have developmental disabilities
tools they need to advocate for their
needs and wishes themselves. Victor enjoys taking the individuals and
guiding them to the educational sessions that will best fit their needs. The
things that are learned by Victor and
the individuals attending the conference
are carried back to Summit to educate
those who were unable to attend. One
thing that Victor loves to do while at
Tan-Tar-A is to prepare a special dinner
for everyone to eat on the deck of the
condo overlooking the lake.
Victor also does an outstanding job
training new staff members coming to
Summit. Victor assists them with learning about the people living at Summit,
understanding the medical issues of
each person. He also shows the new
staff how to document in our webbased system and provides endless other training, as well as ongoing supports
The Messenger
As I near the end of my time at CDD, I
sit and look back on all the changes that
have occurred since I began my journey. I can think of no better place to
reflect on things than my favorite spot
to work— a red couch that can be found
on Spruce Avenue. I have spent many
hours on this couch surrounded by Case
Record Books typing away on my laptop,
often squeezed between two or three
people I support as they share stories
about their day or ask me to look up
cowboys and various types of airplanes.
It is a great place to be.
As I sit here and reminisce about my
early days at CDD, I remember thinking
what am I getting into? My co-workers
filled my first weeks with stories that
should have had me running for the
hills. When I followed my trusty GPS
down to Spruce Avenue and later out to
140th Street in Grandview, who would
have thought I would meet people in
Pg. 4
to staff who
have been
with CDD for
a while.
Victor is
an asset to
Summit and
there are
not enough
words to
describe all
Victor assists Barrie with
the wonderful things his things on the porch at
that he does Summit.
each and every day. CDD is lucky
to have him as part of our team.
By: Bernadette Richardson, former Developmental Disability Professional and
newly hired eitas Support Coordinator
those two places who would make such
an impact on my life?
Throughout my time at CDD, my GPS
and I have traveled to many places. I
made it to Brooklyn Avenue, up to 6th
Street, out to Highgrove Road and down
the Paseo, meeting people and making
memories as I went. I will never forget
the morning conversations on the patio
at Summit, singing and dancing with the
individuals at Lafayette, talking about
boyfriends with the ladies at Kinbrook,
laughing at the shenanigans from the
men at Birch House and meeting others
who were always ready to share life
lessons with me.
Alas, the time has come for me to move
on to my next adventure and leave
the comfort of this couch. I have been
blessed to work with a group of people
who are always striving to help others.
The faces of CDD may have changed
over time, but the mission has remained the same—to support persons
with disabilities in achieving their fullest
potential. I think we do that well.
Bernadette, second from left, visits with
Nicole, Marilyn and Brenda during Staff
Appreciation Day. She helped coordinate the
event to thank staff for all their hard work.
ISL
WISH LIST
We recently helped a young man move into his first apartment. He had never lived on his own, as he came from a foster care situation. Thanks to the help of our donor fund, we
were able to help him get some nice things for his apartment.
The look on his face when he walked into his own apartment
for the first time was priceless!
We also helped another person move from an apartment
with a roommate to one by himself. Unfortunately, his roommate had most of the household items, so he did not have
much in his new place. Once again, thanks to our donor fund,
we were able to help him buy basic necessities for his new
home.
The staff and people supported by CDD sincerely appreciate
the people who have given to our donor fund. Thanks to you,
we were able to help two people who would not have had
the resources to make their living situations into homes.
If you would like to help support people as they move into
their own homes, please consider donating to our donor
fund. Any help is appreciated. Included in this newsletter is an
envelope for you to mail your donation to us, or you can go to
our website www.cddkc.org and donate from there.
We are also looking for some of the following items:
• New towels
• Utensils (forks, knives and spoons)
• Plates, cups, bowls
• Cooking utensils
• Pots and pans
• Pot holders
• Gently used furniture (couches, desks, tables
and chairs)
• TVs
• Gift cards
Please give us a call at (816) 531-0045 and we can
arrange to pick up any large items of furniture you may
wish to donate. Thanks again for all the past support!
CDD frequently has openings in our apartments, group
homes and individualized homes in various areas of the
community. If you or someone you know is interested in
being supported by our agency, please contact us.
CDD is a private, not-for-profit organization.
We are designated as tax exempt by the Internal
Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3).
All donations to CDD are tax-deductible. We have a
restricted account for donors to assist the residents with
financial needs, travel and recreation. If you wish to
contribute, please send your check or money order to:
CDD Donor Account
1010 W 39th Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
Log on to our Web site at www.cddkc.org to check us
out.
Additional information about the agency will be made
available upon request.
Pg. 5
Center for Developmentally Disabled
1010 W 39th St.
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: 816-531-0045
Fax: 816-756-5612
Website: www.cddkc.org
E-mail: info@cddkc.org
Caregiver’s Corner
Tips and recipes for the caregiver to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Have you eaten your vegetables today?
Green leafy vegetables should be a part
of everyone’s daily diet. They provide
fiber which helps lower blood pressure
and cholesterol, keeping your blood sugar
stable and preventing diabetes. Darker
greens are rich in calcium which makes
for strong teeth and bones and contributes to muscle function. Potassium in
green leafy vegetables further protects
against osteoporosis and lowers blood
pressure.
depression and improve mood.
Greens are also an excellent source of
folate, which reduces your risk of heart
disease and even memory loss. And because folate contributes to the production
of serotonin, which may help ward off
A standard smoothie recipe might include
the following (change amount according
to how big of a smoothie you are making):
An easy way to incorporate greens into
your diet is blending them in a smoothie.
Combined with yogurt, fruit and other
ingredients, most people don’t even taste
the vegetables. Dust off your blender
and give it a try! No time in the morning? Make it in the evening and keep in
the fridge overnight. It can be part of a
healthy breakfast or a snack during the
day.
• 1/2- 3/4 c. of liquid (milk, juice or
• water)
• 1-2 c. greens (spinach, kale etc)
• 1/2-1 banana depending on size of
smoothie
• 1/2c.-1 c. of other fruit and/or veggies depending on size of smoothie
Don’t forget to put the lid on the blender. Push: mix, whip or stir to get desired
smoothness.
Some of our favorite combinations at CDD
are:
Nicke: Milk, spinach, banana and peanut
butter
Kelsey: Mixed berries, banana and greek/
plain yogurt, ice
Sarah: Spinach, strawberries, blueberries,
banana, orange juice and water
Jenny: Kale, strawberries, peaches and
blueberries and water