Author and educator Stephen Covey is quoted as saying, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Victoria, who was born with a genetic disorder that has progressively affected her hearing, is being challenged to trust in a new way these days. Victoria’s condition, known as primary ciliary dyskinesia, means that her cilia—the hairlike structures that line internal airways—are not flexible like they should be. So although Victoria began using hearing aids nearly 30 years ago, she has a hard time using them. Her defective cilia …
Archives for April 2024
Town Hall Covered Numerous Topics
On Thursday, April 18, we held an in-person Town Hall meeting with those who were able to attend. Building Plans Executive Director Jeff Johnson shared a tentative blueprint for our upcoming building project, stressing that the details of the plan are still very much evolving and will likely need to be scaled back. Some of the details shared about the potential new expansion plans included: The expansion will more than double the size of the current facility. Parking will be expanded with the addition. A new volunteer center is planned for the NW corner of the property, with a driveway …
Pierce Stays on High Alert for Lows
“I’m full of rare stuff,” says Crystal Gail. First came her rare brain disease in 2008, intracranial hypertension, with symptoms that mimic a brain tumor. Then, in 2021, she stumbled upon reactive hypoglycemia. As a professional backpacker paid to write about the regions she explores, Crystal Gail was traversing the Arizona Trail when she began describing the map backward to her fellow travelers and exhibiting other odd behaviors. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with a condition that leaves her blood sugar constantly low. She explains that it’s like having Type 1 diabetes without the highs. When her blood sugar drops below …
Under Kiki’s Direction, Autism Assist Dog Farmer Plays his Biggest Role Ever
By Jorae DuPont – Lights, camera, action! Seven-year-old Kiki loves music, math, and, most of all, making videos. “She’s definitely a director,” says her mom, Keila. “She’s always telling everyone what to do. Where to stand, what to eat. It’s so nice having another actor in the house! [Autism Assist Dog] Farmer is the perfect companion. He is so patient. Kiki asks him to sit, and he sits until she asks him to do something else. She teaches him tricks, then makes a video, complete with sound effects and music.” “Farmer is such a happy dog. He’ll woof and yodel …
An “Angel’s” Four Paws Compensate for Two Hands
“He’s my right-hand man,” says Jan of his Mobility Assist Dog, Logan. Logan, however, compensates not only for Jan’s right hand, but also his left hand and more. Jan developed type 2 diabetes at age 50. Shortly afterward, the condition led to diabetic neuropathy in his hands and feet and eventually, up to his knees and elbows. He explains, “I can’t tell if I’m holding something when I put my hand on it. I know I’m touching it, but I can’t feel how much pressure I’m putting on it, so I drop things a lot.” Balance is also an issue …
Client Services Coordinator Jen Gravrok Authors Article for Disclo
One of our Client Services Coordinators, Jennifer Gravrok, Ph.D., recently shared her expertise through an article she wrote for Disclo. We encourage you to read how she “demystifies the use of assistance dogs, stressing the need for a balanced, reciprocal relationship between the dog and its handler, and cautioning that the commitment extends beyond the perceived benefits, requiring significant physical, mental, and emotional investment from the handler. Her work aims to align expectations with reality, aiding individuals in making informed decisions about acquiring an assistance dog.” In the article, Jen also references the book she published last year, “Understanding Assistance …
Carol Considers Mobility Assist Dog Reva “Too Good to be True”
By Jessica Kellogg – Carol has a presence that can’t be ignored. For many years, her vibrance and enthusiasm allowed her to thrive as a training director of a group home for people with Alzheimer’s. She eventually traveled all over the state to provide Person-Centered training to other caregivers. Then, in 2015, she started having pain and was on her journey to losing her mobility. Carol’s degenerative joint and disc disease got progressively worse until she could no longer work. “The rug got pulled out from under me. I had this cool job helping people with disabilities. Then guess who …
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