Connection
News and views promoting independence for people with disabilities
|
|
DRS
Connection News and views promoting independence for people with disabilities |
After much hard work, Laura graduated in 1995 from CSU with a degree in Social Work. She lives in Fort Collins with Ron, her "life companion" whom she met when he was a Dial-A-Ride driver. There is a possibility of Laura and Ron may go into business together with the assistance of Laura's father, a marketing professor at Denver University.
Meanwhile Laura works a few hours a week at Christ United Methodist's preschool. Laura's father is on the board of BIAC and her mother, a psychotherapist, counsels brain injury survivors and their families in Denver, as well as running a support group in Conifer where the Burnetts live. Truly this is a very supportive family, having been through so much trauma themselves.
When she was injured, Laura's parents had good insurance, which enabled her to spend so long in rehab. They also had good jobs and were able to devote great care to Laura and give her much encouragement. Laura acknowledges that not all people with disabilities are so fortunate and it is one of the reasons she so much wants to help others.
Laura invites anyone interested in the local BIAC support group to contact her at (970) 204-6643. Echoing the experience of many brain injury survivors, she says that despite all the help, "It has taken me so long to find my own place in the world. It was hard."
The Brain Injury Association of Colorado runs support groups for survivors and their families throughout Colorado, gives information, makes referrals, and has an extensive library on the subject of traumatic brain injury. It also lobbies for legislation to benefit people with brain injuries.
At the Denver office survivors can find volunteeropportunities which help them find out what they capable of doing for themselves and contributing to society. Since August 2001 BIAC has had two employees delivering services in northern Colorado. CarrieLynn Perry, full-time Resource Coordinator, is based in Fort Collins (970) 218-2015. Cindy Abrams, part-time Peer Advocate, is based in Greeley (970) 381-0375.
Learn more about BIAC from their web site, www.biacolorado.org.
Nancy Jackson is a Californian and worked there for nine years in Social Services and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Moving to Fort Collins in 1981, she served on the Commission on Disability while job hunting and was a member for nine years.
In 1982 she became Executive Director of the Handicapped Information Office on North College. The agency had been set up in 1980 as a result of a Needs Assessment Project initiated by the Larimer County Association of the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Nancy was the agency's only employee then, but she had help from two volunteers who both had disabilities, Bobbie Guye and Dorothy Lasley. Working with a mere $9,700 budget, Nancy managed to hire four part time workers, including Bobbie, Dorothy, and Patricia Frisbie. Staff increased over the years to 10 currently, and may soon become 12. All but two employees work part time and many have a disability.
In 1987 the agency changed its name to Disabled Resource Services and tripled the available office space by moving from its north College location to its current location at 424 Pine Street. Additionally the Loveland Branch Office was established.
DRS became one of five Centers for Independent Living (CILs) certified by the state in 1988. Today there are ten CILs in Colorado, and DRS is recognized as one of the better ones for its fiscal management and the quality and variety of its services.
Nancy is proud to have helped the Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living obtain general fund monies five years ago through the state legislature to support the CILs. . She was also the founder of the annual Wine Fest fundraiser which provides about 8% of the DRS budget. On June 7, 2002 DRS will celebrate Wine Fest XX.
Nancy's wish for the future of DRS is that the Disabeled Resource Services Endowment will receive many donations, enabling the agency to maintain a firmer financial footing as the competition for scarce funding dollars continues to grow.
Thank you, Nancy, for twenty years of dedicated and efficient service to DRS and for your passionate support of the right of people with disabilities to live dignified, productive and independent lives!
In 1992 she set up her own business, Magic Touch Custom Painting, but in 1999 she was in a motor bike accident and became spinal cord injured. Connie went to Craig Hospital. When she was ready to return to work, Schrader Oil created a temporary position for her. Still, Connie felt devastated by her loss of business.
But now she has returned to her original profession, using a wheelchair for mobility. Connie is excited about her job with DRS and says, "I have great expectations of developing community awareness of our programs and of providing job placements for our youth."
Mondays Linda is continuing with DRS, principally serving people with hearing impairments and to do Section 8 housing quality standards inspections. Persons preferring to communicate using American Sign Language, see Linda on a Monday (TDD 970-407-7060)!
Having a Section 8 voucher enables a low income person to rent on the open market without paying more than 40% of their income for rent and utilities. The rest of the rent is paid by the Federal agency Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Of the total vouchers, 60 of the vouchers are for Loveland residents and 15 are earmarked for residents of Estes Park.
Interested persons who think they might qualify for one of these vouchers, call the Housing Authority (667-3232) or call the DRS Loveland Office and speak to Don (667-0816).
Buses now run year round, Monday through Thursday 6 am-12:30 am; Friday and Saturday, 6 am-2:30 am; and Sunday 6:45 pm-12:30 am.
A big thank-you to Mayor Ray Martinez and the City Council, and to City Manager John Fischbach, for giving people with disabilities transportation times not tied to CSU students' needs.
Celebrate your increased freedom and use Dial-A-Ride!
There are a number of programs through which free medicine is donated by drug companies, usually to those on low incomes and without Medicaid.
Many doctors in Larimer County help their patients apply using conventional forms or online at www.rxhope.com.
People can search the web site www.phrma.org/patients. Additionally, companies exist that will do the research for you and send you an application to be signed by your doctor.
The Medicine Program (573- 996-7300) charges $6.00. Visit www.themedicineprogram.com. Medical Discounts (1-800-771-3325) charges $7.00. Their website is at www.medicaldiscounts.com.