Arc, Fayette County
September Newsletter
80 Old New Salem Road, Uniontown,Pa 15401 Telephone:724-438-9042 Fax:724-438-2405
www.arcfayette.org
News from Nancy D.
I hope you have enjoyed the summer which quickly passed us by!! There were several fun activities which our families and staff participated in. Please read on about some of these activities.
HBW and the Fabulous Hubcaps
On August 2, 2010 several individuals along with their HBW worker(s) came out to the Fayette County Fair to see the Fabulous Hubcaps perform. The show was fantastic; everyone was smiling, signing and dancing along to the classic rock music. After the show many took time to grab something delicious to eat and to walk around and see the animals and exhibits. I would like to sincerely thank all those who attended and made this event both possible and memorable. I look forward to working with everyone on future outings.
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Derek D, Tiffany S, Karen Campbell, Ashliegh P, Jeanie Metz, Jamie B, Nathan K, Dollie Murphy (hiding in the back J) and Corey C
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Beth K, Sunny Adams, and Lisa M
Not pictured but in attendance:
Tommy J and family, Glenda McLaughlin and Beth K’s parents
Thanks again!!
Lisa Friend
HBW Coordinator
Important Dates
Monday, October 11, 2010- Arc’s 20th Annual Golf Outing- Columbus Day- Agency Closed
Sunday, October 31, 2010- Halloween Day
Robin's Room
Fayette County Arc ATF and Poplar Court
(The Buddy Program) has been involved in
Karaoke, Arts & Crafts, Fourth of July picnic
and bingo. Prizes were awarded to the lucky
individuals. The individuals had a blast and
we hope to get a Halloween Party planned for
October.
We also went to Nemacolin
Woodlands Zoo on July 22, 2010. They loved
the bears, goats, white buffalo, and llama’s.
While there, we enjoyed a picnic lunch.
Mary H. loved the presence of Jovon &
Nancy D. while walking at the zoo.
We also plan on doing Operation Christmas
Child for our last unit of the year. We will be
asking for donations for the shoeboxes.
Congress changes intellectual disability wording
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer -Thu Sep 23, 2:55 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Disabilities advocates on Thursday applauded Congress for passing legislation that eliminates the term "mental retardation" from federal laws.
"Changing how we talk about people with disabilities is a critical step in promoting and protecting their basic civil and human rights," said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc, an organization promoting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The measure, passed by the House by voice vote Wednesday night, changes the phrase "mentally retarded" to "an individual with an intellectual disability" in existing health, education and labor law.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., sponsor of the bill with Sen Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said it would make language in federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the health arm of the United Nations and the White House.
"This law is about families fighting for the respect and dignity of their loved ones," Mikulski said. "This change will have a positive effect on more than 6 million Americans."
“Rosa’s law” a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome, this passed the Senate last month and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Senate Bill 628
Senate Bill 628 is legislation that will implement the US Supreme Court’s Atkins decision banning capital punishment for persons with mental retardation. It includes the pre-trial procedure for a judge to determine a defendant’s mental retardation status ( legal term). The opponents support a post conviction determination by the convicting jury.
All major advocacy groups support pre-trial and support SB628.
Why do they support:
On Tuesday September 20th SB628 moved out of committee. An amendment to adopt past trial procedure failed 11-15. We thank Deborah Kula for voting in support. Now is the time to get this bill passed into law!!
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
On August 17, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an important ruling to assure that individuals with disabilities are not denied necessary life-preserving medical treatment. D.L.H.’s a 53-year-old man with an intellectual disability who has resided at Ebensburg Center, a state institution, for most of his life. In 2007, D.L.H. became ill with aspiration pneumonia and was transferred to the hospital. The illness was not life-threatening, but his treating physicians wanted to place him on a ventilator to assist with his breathing during recovery. His parents, who had been appointed to act as his guardians, informed the hospital that they did not want him placed on a ventilator. The hospital refused to follow their directions.D.L.H. recovered several weeks later and returned to Ebensburg. D.L.H. ‘s parents/guardians filed a petition in the Orphan’s Court, seeking an order that would allow them to make all health care decisions for him as a “health care agent” under Act 2006-169 (Act 169). Act 169 allows individuals who are competent to create health care advance directives and to name health care agents to make decisions in the event they become incompetent to do so, even if they are not at the end of life. The Department of Public Welfare filed a brief opposing the parents’/guardians’ petition. The Orphan’s Court denied the petition and the Superior Court on appeal generally agreed with that ruling, but left open the possibility that guardians could petition the courts to refuse life-preserving treatment (i.e., treatment needed to save the life of an individual who does not have an end-stage medical condition or is not permanently unconscious) under certain very narrow circumstances.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear the parent’s/guardians’ appeal. DRN filed an amicus brief on behalf of DRN, The Arc of Pennsylvania, Achieva, Vision for Equality, Liberty Resources, Inc., the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, and Not Dead Yet.
In its August 17 ruling, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed with DPW and Amici that Act 169 explicitly allows only competent individuals or health care agents appointed pursuant to valid health care advance directives (made by a person when s/he was competent to do so) to refuse life-preserving treatment. Act 169 does not permit guardians to make those decisions, even for individuals such as D.L.H. who would have never had capacity to make a health care advance directive and appoint a health care agent. The Court rejected the parents’/guardians’ argument that the guardianship statute authorizes plenary guardians to make such decisions.
In sum, the Court unanimously held that “where, as here, life-preserving treatment is at issue for an incompetent person who is not suffering from an end-stage condition or permanent unconsciousness, and that person has no health care agent, the Act (169) mandates that care must be provided.” In reaching this holding, the Court appears to have implicitly rejected the Superior Court’s suggestion that, under some circumstances, courts might authorize guardians to refuse life-preserving treatment.
A copy of the Supreme Court’s decision is available from the DRN website. Go to http://drnpa.org/File/hockenberry.pdf
Adult Protective Services Passes the House!!!
196 voted Yes
1 voted No
This most important act provides for the protection of adults who are abused, neglected, exploited, or abandoned. It calls for a uniform statewide reporting and investigative system of adults providing for protective services and prescribing penalties.Finally adults will receive the protection they deserve!!
*Get Well Wishes go out to Jan Stathers & Claudia Theakston!! Hoping they get well soon!!*
*Welcome Back to Karla Hyatt!! We are glad to see you back with the Arc Team!*
*We thank Cathy Vincent for her dedication that she has shown to the individuals attending the ATF. Her last day is September 30th, and we wish her luck in obtaining her RN/BSN.
The 2010-2011 Classic Film Series
Uniontown State Theatre
One Friday a Month
2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Adult $5, Seniors/Students $3
(Purchase tickets at the door)
If you’re missing the State Theatre Classic Film Series, you’re missing out! Come see some of the greatest films ever made on the big screen at the State. Our series makes a great girls/guys night out, the best date night and a great place to go with friends and family!
Upcoming shows
The Wizard of OZ ........................................October 8, 2010
The Shining...................................................October 29, 2010
The Great Escape........................................November 12, 2010
The Shop Around the Corner......................December 10, 2010
Viva Las Vegas ..........................................January 7, 2011
Sabrina ........................................................February 4, 2011
These are the movies showing in the next few months you can check online for the full list at www.statetheatre.info
***If I can assist in anyway please feel free to call HBW office at 724-438-8416.
Lisa Friend HBW Coordinator
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