JACIL Connections for January 2018
Article 1:
Larry Whewell retires from JACIL
by Roger Deem
December 22, 2017, was Associate Director Larry Whewell’s last day with
us as he retired from the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living after
a career of over16 years.
On December 13, we hosted a reception for Larry and his wife,
Barb. Our conference room was packed
with well wishers for the entire two hours of the event. Many friends and business and civic leaders
stopped by to offer congratulations to Larry for his service to the
community in general and people with
disabilities in particular.
Larry will continue serving JACIL as a volunteer program advisor and as
a member of our Board of Directors’ Development Committee. His years of experience and knowledge of our
industry will continue to be an asset from which we can benefit.
We wish Larry and Barb a long and happy life together and extend our
sincere appreciation for all they have done to help JACIL be a productive and
positive influence in central Illinois.
Article 2:
Now YOU'RE Cooking!
“Eat Smart, Be Active” An eight-lesson cooking series
by Lisa Viles
Earlier in 2017, JACIL challenged you to "Eat Better, Feel
Better". Through those four
workshop sessions you learned the basics of good nutrition, meal planning,
budgeting and how to grow your own herbs and vegetables.
Now in 2018, JACIL challenges you to "Eat Smart, Be
Active". JACIL and Melinda Vortman,
Snap-Ed Coordinator from the University of Illinois Extension Office, will be
presenting an eight-session cooking series that will give participants the
chance to prep and cook nutritious meals themselves in the Extension Office
kitchen. Sessions will end with a short
period of light exercise or stretching, to reinforce the connection between
healthy eating and an active lifestyle.
"Eat Smart, Be Active" will hold its first session on
Tuesday, January 23, with classes scheduled every Tuesday thereafter through
March 20 for nine weeks, with the
exception of Tuesday, February 20, when there is no class. It will be held at the Extension Center,
located at 104 N. Westgate Avenue in Jacksonville and runs from 11:00 a.m.
until 1:00 p.m.
This workshop is open to the first 20 registrants of any age and you do
not need previous cooking experience to participate. Pre-registration is required.
It is not necessary to attend all eight sessions, but participants that
complete six of the eight sessions will receive a certificate of completion and
will be given two cooking utensils of their choice courtesy of the Extension
Center.
As an added incentive, all names
of participants who attend four or more sessions will be entered into one of
four drawings for a chance to win door prizes such as storage containers or
fitness accessories.
All participants must register
in advance and can do so by calling JACIL at (217) 245-8371, and asking to
speak with Lisa Viles. Registration for
this workshop will close on Tuesday, 1/16/2018.
We would like to thank Wal-Mart for once again sponsoring this workshop
so that we all can learn to make healthy eating an important part of our
routines.
Article 3:
It’s My Life! - Part 3 - Peer Mentoring
by Cyndy Benton
"It's My Life" is a four-part training JACIL developed to
help people with disabilities learn to have more control of their lives.
The first session examined Self-Determination, looking at how people
determine their own personal wants and set life goals. The second workshop dealt with self-advocacy.
The third training session will be held January 18, 2018, from 4:00
until 6:00 p.m., at the JACIL Office.
This session will cover Peer Mentoring.
The session will look into the different ways people can learn to help
support others who have the same kinds of life experiences (peers) and how we
can learn to mentor others .
An ASL interpreter will be available on request; alternate formats of
printed resources will be available if requested one week in advance.
A light meal will be served . Anyone interested in coming needs to call
JACIL at 217-245-8371 to register by January 17.
Article 4:
KIP Cafe: State Treaurer’s ABLE
savings program
by Becky McGinnis
Our next KIP Café is scheduled for January 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
at the JACIL office.
The presenter will be Robert Baren, who is a senior advisor in the
office of the Illinois state treasurer.
He will be telling us about the Illinois ABLE program, and how it can
work for people with disabilities.
The ABLE program allows eligible people with disabilities to set up a
tax-advantaged savings plan to save for future disability-related needs. These
savings plans allow saving money without putting certain benefits at risk - the
ones with “asset limits.”
The ABLE funds can be used for a variety of expenses, including
education, transportation and assistive technology.
A light lunch will be provided and an ASL interpreter will be
present.
Call (217) 245-8371 to make your reservations by January 24.
For more information or questions call JACIL.
Article 5:
JACIL will be closed
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 15
Article 6:
Ask Kathy
by Kathy Price
Each issue Kathy will answer your questions about anything--from
household hints to the price of tea in China.
Please e-mail your question to her at kathy@jacil.org.
This Month’s Question: My husband is always coming to the dinner table
late. By the time he finally sits down,
our salads have gone from crisp to queasy.
Any suggestions?
Kathy Says: There is a way to
keep leafy salads crispy longer. Just
lightly sprinkle the salad with salt and it will stay crisp for hours. Just don’t tell your husband because he’s
late enough as it is!
Article 7:
JACIL seeks new board members
by Becky McGinnis
The JACIL Board of Directors includes 11 - 15 members, and is
responsible for the management of our business and legal affairs, through the
JACIL employees. You can read JACIL's
mission statement on the final page of this newsletter; it is the overall guideline
for the Board to follow.
Our Nominating Committee will begin their work soon, and we need your
help to identify a good pool of candidates to consider. It is required that the majority of our board
members be people who have disabilities; we are also looking for people with a
commitment to independent living for people with disabilities. If you are interested in serving on the JACIL
Board or know of someone who would make a good Board member, please contact Becky
at 217-245-8371.
Article 8:
Art Classes held at JACIL
When Illinois College students interviewed small groups this fall as
part of JACIL's strategic planning process, one of the groups suggested that
JACIL offer an "art nite". The students jumped on the idea and on
November 30 we offered our first "Art Nite". The medium for the night was air dry clay and
those present were able to create their own clay sculpture.
Those present were interested in more art nites, and plans are underway
for another one by early spring. Stay
tuned for more information, and thank you to Addy Drake and Cody Thomas for
planning this session.
Article 9:
Who hears a Hoot
by Maty Little & Susan Nolls
The subject of hearing loss may be one our loved ones do not want to
discuss, but it is a common occurrence as we age.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
reports 50% of people age 75 and over have disabling hearing loss. Many are unaware of what they cannot
hear. Untreated hearing loss may have a
number of negative effects including isolation and depression.
Signs of hearing loss may include difficulty understanding others
during conversation and television dialogue.
Television volume may be increased but loud noises are disturbing.
Many complain of constant ringing and/or plugged sensation in the
ears. Some may experience balance issues
or loss of sense of direction.
Speaking clearly while facing the person will aid communication. Try to meet in quiet places and eliminate
background noises when possible.
Consider using a sound amplifying device.
Encourage them to seek help and/or offer to accompany them if
needed. A primary care provider is a
good place to start. Ears may be
examined for wax build up, infection, and other problems. Referrals, if needed, will be made to
specialists who will test the hearing in each ear.
The examinations may include the use of a tuning fork. If you receive a hearing test, request a
copy of the audiogram.
Treatment may include removal of built up wax, surgery, or the use of
hearing aids or amplifiers. JACIL is a
demonstration center for ITAC amplified telephones. The amplified telephones and captioned
telephones are free to Illinois residents who have hearing loss and landline
service. A telephone amplifier is also
available for qualified cell phone users.
Improved communication may also improve the quality of lives.
January Calendar of Events
Mon 1 New
Year’s Day - JACIL office closed.
Thu 11 VisAbility Support Group - 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Mon 15 Martin Luther King, Jr.Day Observed - JACIL office closed.
Tue 16 Cass County Vision Support Group - 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Wed 17 Visions Support Group in Havana - 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Wed 17 People First Aktion Club - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Thu 18 It’s My Life - Peer Mentoring.
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Jan 23 Eat Smart - Be Active! - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - UI Extension office
Thu 25 KIP Café - 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Topic: ABLE Program. Speaker:
Robert Baren, Illinois state treasurer’s office
Jan 30 Eat Smart - Be Active! - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - UI Extension office
“JACIL
Connections” is published by the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent
Living. JACIL is organized to serve
people with disabilities in Morgan, Scott, Cass and Mason Counties. JACIL is committed to serving persons with
disabilities to gain control and direction of their lives in the home,
workplace and community. JACIL’s goal is
to stimulate and promote a growing sense of personal dignity through
individualized services designed to provide the tools necessary for maximum
independence and community participation.
We invite your comments and suggestions.
JACIL is a Prairieland United Way Agency and a proud member of the
Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living
15 Permac Road, Jacksonville, IL 62650
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.
217-245-8371 Voice/TTY l 217-245-1872 Fax l
888-317-3287 Toll Free
217-408-0567 Deaf Advocate’s Toll Free Videophone Line
E-mail: info@jacil.org l
Website: www.jacil.org
JACIL - Mason County Office
220 West Main Street, Havana, IL 62644
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:30 to
4:30 & Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to noon
309-543-6680 Voice/TTY, 309-543-6711 Fax, 877-759-2187 Toll Free
E-mail: jacil@casscomm.com